Royal Brackla 12 Years Old 2009 (SMWS 55.72)

This Royal Brackla was from the independent bottler Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 12 year old release from 2009, drawn from cask 55.72 and bottled at 58.1%. A release of 284 bottles. Royal Brackla, founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. Today the distillery sits in the John Dewar and Sons stable, owned by Bacardi.

It was distilled on Cawdor Burn water in tall copper stills, for the fruity, elegant spirit Royal Brackla is known for. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the elegant malt. Around twelve to sixteen years the malt gains a sherried depth over the fruit. The unpeated make lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. Water for the make is drawn from the Cawdor Burn in the northern Highlands. For generations the malt was a backbone of the Dewar's blends before its single malt revival.

Undiluted at 58.1%, it is layered. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and honey, apple and a soft spice sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. 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.