Royal Lochnagar is a Highland distillery founded in 1845 just a stone's throw from Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family. It is one of the rare distilleries to bear the royal warrant, and only one of two permitted to use the prefix “Royal”.

Before United Distillers was formed in 1988, Royal Lochnagar was primarily used for blends, and more specifically those of the former distillery owner, John Begg. The 12 year old was launched to replace the Glenleven blended malt in the Ascot Malt Cellar range, a forerunner of the Classic Malts. Although not featured in the Classic Malts range, United Distillers relaunched the Royal Lochnagar 12 year old and Selected Reserve. This makes the latter the most expensive regular edition offered by Diageo.