Royal Brackla 13 Years Old 2007 Artist Collective #4.5 (LMDW)

This Royal Brackla was from the independent bottler La Maison du Whisky, a 13 year old Highland malt from 2007 and bottled at 48%. Royal Brackla was first built in 1812 in Nairnshire, by Cawdor Castle, and it became the first Scotch granted a royal warrant, by William IV in 1833. Today the distillery sits in the John Dewar and Sons stable, owned by Bacardi.

Drawn off copper stills with horizontal shell and tube condensers, building the elegant Highland style it is loved for. A sherry cask wrapped the fruity spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. By this age the orchard fruit rounds into honey and a fuller spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, fruity core over time. Unpeated and fruit led, the spirit takes sherry and wine casks gracefully. The Cawdor Estate has grown barley and made spirit for two centuries.

At a hearty 48% it carries real weight. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and honey, apple and a soft spice sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. 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.