For distillery staff the visit of the managing director would usually herald a quick spruce up round the place and a lick of paint here and there, but when the VIP is royalty the pressure is ratcheted up.First on the royal agenda was Islay giant Laphroaig which proudly holds the Royal Warrant as Distiller and Supplier of Single Malt Scotch Whisky to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.Distillery staff worked almost through the night to get everything ready for the royal party, and the visit went without a hitch.Charles last visited the world famous distillery in 1994 and was shown round each part of the distilling process.Arriving just as the rain began to fall, the Duke and Duchess met around 100 members of the public who had turned out to see the royal couple.Later they were shown every stage in the whisky-making process. First, they were taken to the malting floor where the grains of barley are germinated and Prince PENDERYN VISIT Charles clearly enjoyed joining in to turn the barley and rake it.They were then taken to the dunnage warehouse to sample some of Islay’s finest malt whisky.The Prince was overheard to say that he really enjoyed all the explanations of what he was tasting.Commenting on the 10 Years Old cask strength edition he said: “The flavour goes straight to the roof of the mouth and then out through the head.” Distillery manager John Campbell, said: ”They were both very relaxed and enjoyed being shown round and I think they both enjoyed the whisky tasting very much.[[It is a very proud day for all of the staff and their families who turned out to see the couple and I am delighted that they managed to say hello and to meet everyone.’’ Tom Flocco, president and chief executive of Beam Global, was also on hand to answer some of the prince’s queries about the production of the brand.Tom said: “He asked many questions and was very curious about the process as well as very knowledgeable himself.[[They were very animated during the nosing and tasting in the warehouse.“He seemed genuinely taken aback that the night shift had come in specially for the visit. It was a great day and we are proud to call him a true friend of the brand.” Later, the Duke and Duchess each signed one barrel of Laphroaig which will be bottled and auctioned and the proceeds given to a charity of the Prince’s choice. PENDERYN VISIT His Royal Highness also visited Wales recently to open a new £850,000 visitor centreatPenderyn Distillery on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.The Prince watched craftsmen working with the spirits still,casking the spirit for maturation and bottling the distillery’s range of products.The distillery produces the equivalent of just one barrel a day of Penderyn.Distillery managing director,Stephen Davies,said:“It is superb to be able to offer visitors,customers,whisky lovers and tourists a glimpse into our unique distillery.”