Royal Brackla 16 Years Old (57%)

This official Royal Brackla single malt matured to 16 year old from 1970 and bottled at 57%. Just 3600 bottles were filled. Royal Brackla was established in 1812 in Nairnshire, by Cawdor Castle; the King's Own Whisky earned its royal warrant in 1833. It was the first Scotch whisky to hold a royal warrant, renewed by Queen Victoria in 1838.

Drawn off copper stills with horizontal shell and tube condensers, building the elegant Highland style it is loved for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, dried fruit and a warm spice. The light, elegant spirit shows cask character clearly even after years in oak. Water for the make is drawn from the Cawdor Burn in the northern Highlands. For generations the malt was a backbone of the Dewar's blends before its single malt revival. It is one of only three distilleries permitted to carry the Royal name in Scotch.

At a natural 57% it is full and fruity. A fruity, honeyed elegance meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Beneath it run honey, apple and a warm spice. Orchard fruit and honey draw out the close. This is an elegant, fruity Highland single malt.