Royal Brackla 11 Years Old 2014 Cask #9346565 (Duncan Taylor)

Duncan Taylor selected this Royal Brackla, an 11 year old release from 2014, drawn from cask 9346565 and bottled at 55.4%. A release of 252 bottles. Royal Brackla was first built in 1812 in the Highlands on the estate of Cawdor Castle, and William IV's 1833 warrant made it the King's Own Whisky. Cawdor Castle, said to inspire Shakespeare's Macbeth, stands on the same estate.

Double distilled in tall copper pot stills with upward angled lyne arms, giving the refined, lightly spiced make at its heart. A sherry cask wrapped the fruity spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Younger here, it keeps a crisp, fragrant freshness over light honey. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit and spice deepening with age. The distillery was rebuilt and expanded across its long working life. A fruity, lightly spiced make sits at the heart of every bottling.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.4%, it is rich. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and the refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with pear, honey and a warm spice. The texture is smooth and rounded, the fruit lifted by honey. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is Royal Brackla's refined Highland style.