Royal Brackla 12 Years Old 2011 (The Whisky Agency)

This Royal Brackla was from the independent bottler The Whisky Agency, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2011 and bottled at 53.4%. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser near Nairn, on the Cawdor Estate, and its whisky won the first royal warrant ever given to a Scotch, from William IV. Today the distillery sits in the John Dewar and Sons stable, owned by Bacardi.

The spirit was run through lamp glass spirit stills for a clean, fruity spirit, to build a fragrant, orchard fruit character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the fruity character to the fore. Around twelve to sixteen years the malt gains a sherried depth over the fruit. The clean, fruity new make takes wood gracefully across long maturation. The spirit was long destined for blends before its single malt revival. Royal Brackla was the first Scotch whisky ever to be granted a royal warrant. The distillery sits on the Cawdor Estate, whose castle is tied to the legend of Macbeth.

At a hearty 53.4% it carries real weight. Honey, apple and a soft spice sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A baked apple and a warm spice lift it. It closes long, fruity and warming. This is a sherried, fruity dram from the far north.