Royal Brackla 10 Years Old 2011 Anarchy of the Lads (BYOB-C)

Bottled by BYOB-C, this Royal Brackla, aged 10 year old from 2011 and bottled at 54.3%. A release of 71 bottles. Royal Brackla, first built in 1812 near Nairn, on the Cawdor Estate, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. Water for the make is drawn from the Cawdor Burn.

The spirit was run through lamp glass spirit stills for a clean, fruity spirit, to build a fragrant, orchard fruit character. A sherry cask shaped it, true to the Royal Brackla house style. At this age the spirit is fresh and fruity, the orchard fruit and citrus bright. The clean, fruity new make takes wood gracefully across long maturation. The distillery sits on the Cawdor Estate, whose castle is tied to the legend of Macbeth. Captain William Fraser, an army man returned from India, built the distillery in 1812. Water for the make is drawn from the Cawdor Burn in the northern Highlands.

At its natural 54.3% it is concentrated. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and green apple and a fragrant lift sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. It is clean and elegant, the fragrant spirit shining through. A fruity, gently spiced finish lingers long. This is a Highland malt with a royal past.