Royal Brackla 12 Years Old 2006 Cask #311985 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

This is a Royal Brackla single malt, chosen and bottled by Alistair Walker Whisky Company, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2006, drawn from cask 311985 and bottled at 58.9%. The outturn was 304 bottles. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn; William IV's 1833 warrant made it the King's Own Whisky. Long a backbone of the Dewar's blends, it is now bottled as a single malt in its own right.

It was distilled on Cawdor Burn water in tall copper stills, for the fruity, elegant spirit Royal Brackla is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. By this age the orchard fruit rounds into honey and a fuller spice. Refill oak holds back its sweetness, letting the elegant distillery character lead. Fraser shipped his spirit south to England to outpace the local smugglers of his day. The King's Own Whisky has carried its royal connection for nearly two centuries.

At a full 58.9% it is intense yet elegant. Honeyed fruit and oak spice meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the sweetness. Orchard fruit and honey draw out the close. This is the regal Highland malt of Cawdor.