King Charles savours ‘world’s best’ whisky ending dry January in style

King Charles has broken his dry January with a taste of what has been hailed as the world’s best whisky.

The monarch sampled Rosebank Whisky’s 31-year-old Single Malt while attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, joined by First Minister John Swinney MSP. 

The event celebrated Scottish innovation and entrepreneurship. Leonard Russell, managing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, told GB News that the King was “very complimentary” of the whisky. 

“Breaking dry January with the best whisky in the world is a good excuse drink less but better, I think that’s what made him laugh,” Russell added.

The rare Lowland single malt, distilled 31 years ago and awarded top honors at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, impressed Charles with its “notes of toffee,” Russell said. 

The distillery, founded in Falkirk in 1840, had been closed for three decades before its recent revival by Ian Macleod Distillers, reopening to visitors in June 2024.

As Honorary Keeper of the Quaich, Charles has long-standing ties to the Scotch whisky industry and has participated in numerous tastings. 

He has also granted royal warrants to select whisky brands, including Laphroaig, highlighting his support for Scottish distilleries.

Rosebank now offers immersive tours, guided tastings, and houses the world’s largest collection of historic whiskies from its original site. 

The 31-year-old bottle sampled by Charles is extremely limited, priced at £1,800.