Royal Brackla 16 Years Old 1970 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This is a Royal Brackla single malt, chosen and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, a 16 year old from 1970 and bottled at 40%. Established in 1812 on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn, Royal Brackla is the King's Own Whisky. Long a backbone of the Dewar's blends, it is now bottled as a single malt in its own right.

It was distilled on Cawdor Burn water in tall copper stills, for the fruity, elegant spirit Royal Brackla is known 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. Refill oak holds back its sweetness, letting the elegant distillery character lead. 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. Queen Victoria renewed the royal warrant in 1838, confirming its regal standing.

At an approachable 40% it is elegant and balanced. Honeyed fruit and oak spice meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the sweetness. It finishes clean, elegant and fruity. This is the regal Highland malt of Cawdor.