Royal Brackla 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #9337739 (Duncan Taylor)

From Duncan Taylor comes this Royal Brackla, an 11 year old Highland malt from 2011, drawn from cask 9337739 and bottled at 54.3%. The outturn was 96 bottles. Royal Brackla was opened in 1812 on the Earl of Cawdor's estate near Nairn; its whisky won the first royal warrant ever given to a Scotch, from William IV. The house style leans on sherry wood, fruity and elegant.

The spirit was made in copper pot stills after a long fermentation, for a fruity, honeyed make of real finesse. An American oak cask shaped it, flattering the elegant, fruity make. Still young, the malt is clean and fruity with a soft spice. Sherry wood is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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 a full 54.3% it is intense yet elegant. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel 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.