Glenury Royal Distillery was founded in 1825 by Captain Robert Barclay, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, in the eastern Highlands of Scotland. Barclay was a colourful figure — a friend of royalty, a gambler, and a renowned personality of his era. The distillery was originally established partly to create a market for barley during a period of agricultural depression, and its royal connections helped cement its distinguished name. There are also references to an earlier distillery on the Ury estate in the early 1820s, linked to the Duke of Gordon. Glenury Royal produced single malt Scotch whisky in the classic eastern Highland style, known for its elegance and complexity. The distillery has since closed, making its remaining stocks increasingly rare and sought after by collectors. Bottlings have appeared through prestigious independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail, as well as through Diageo's Special Releases series, with expressions ranging from vintage 1970 and 1971 releases to a remarkable 2020 Gordon & MacPhail bottling distilled in June 1984. Glenury Royal holds a special place among closed distillery enthusiasts. Highlights include a 23-year-old 1971 vintage in Diageo's Rare Malts Selection, widely regarded as one of the finest expressions in that celebrated series, and a 36-year-old 1970 vintage released as part of Diageo's Special Releases in 2007. Each surviving bottle offers a rare glimpse into a lost chapter of Highland whisky history.