Royal Brackla 12 Years Old 2008 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

Single malt Royal Brackla, an independent Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers bottling, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2008 and bottled at 47.5%. Just 912 bottles were filled. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser near Nairn, on the Cawdor Estate, and the King's Own Whisky earned its royal warrant in 1833. It was the first Scotch whisky to hold a royal warrant, renewed by Queen Victoria in 1838.

The spirit was run through lamp glass spirit stills for a clean, fruity spirit, to build a fragrant, orchard fruit character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, dried fruit and a warm spice. A long fermentation of up to 110 hours builds the fruity esters at the heart of the spirit. A long, cool maturation rounds the fruit into honey and dried fruit. Brackla earned the prefix Royal long before most distilleries had a brand at all.

At a hearty 47.5% it carries real weight. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a fruity, honeyed elegance meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath it run honey, apple and a warm spice. It closes long, fruity and warming. This is an elegant, fruity Highland single malt.