Royal Brackla 11 Years Old 2009 (Hepburn’s Choice)

This Royal Brackla was from the independent bottler Hunter Laing, an 11 year old from 2009 and bottled at 46%. Just 254 bottles were filled. Royal Brackla, first built in 1812 near Nairn, on the Cawdor Estate, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. Today the distillery sits in the John Dewar and Sons stable, owned by Bacardi.

The spirit was run through lamp glass spirit stills for a clean, fruity spirit, to build a fragrant, orchard fruit character. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. At a youthful age the fruit is lively and the spice gentle. The clean, fruity new make takes wood gracefully across long maturation. The King's Own Whisky has carried its royal connection for nearly two centuries. Unpeated and fruit led, the spirit takes sherry and wine casks gracefully. The Cawdor Estate has grown barley and made spirit for two centuries. A long, cool maturation rounds the fruit into honey and dried fruit.

At 46% it is smooth and fruity. Honey, apple and a soft spice sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A baked apple and a warm spice lift it. A fruity, gently spiced finish lingers long. This is a sherried, fruity dram from the far north.