Royal Brackla 12 Years Old 2012 Cask #HL 21539 (Old Malt Cask)

From Hunter Laing comes this Royal Brackla, aged 12 year old from 2012, drawn from cask HL 21539 and bottled at 50%. The outturn was 110 bottles. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 on the Cawdor Estate of Macbeth fame; William IV's 1833 warrant made it the King's Own Whisky. The house style leans on sherry wood, fruity and elegant.

It was distilled twice on soft Cawdor Burn water, for a clean, floral spirit with a gentle spice. 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. Long ageing builds a honeyed weight over the fragrant Highland spirit. Brackla earned the prefix Royal long before most distilleries had a brand at all. The malt is prized by blenders for its fragrant, fruity lift. Sherry and wine casks suit the elegant spirit, adding fruit and depth. The distillery was rebuilt and expanded across its long working life.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. A gentle vanilla and coconut from the wood runs under citrus and a floral lift. It is refined and deep, the fruit and oak well matched. Dried fruit and oak spice see out a long finish. This is an elegant Highland malt of real depth.