1984 Glenury Royal Distillery, Rare Old, Btld 2012, Single Malt Whisky, 46%

Glenury-Royal Distillery, Highlands

The Glenury Royal Distilliery was located on the northern outskirts of the port of Stonehaven and south of Aberdeen in Eastern Highlands. The distillery was founded in 1825 and refurbished in 1966 under the ownership of Scottish Malt Distillers.

The founder, Captain Robert Barclay, was the local Member of Parliament and a colourful character. He made quite a reputation as an athlete who had walked from London to Birmingham in two days in 1799.

Glenury was closed in 1985, while its licence was cancelled in 1992 and the premises were sold to private developers who demolished the distillery to build residential properties.

The house style, typical of other Highland malts, is gloriously mellow, subtle and rounded, with spicy overtones and exotic fruit. Distillery Malt bottlings are nothing less than stunning and indeed rare. Some independent bottlings are also available.