Royal Brackla 14 Years Old 2006 Cask #9330348 (Duncan Taylor)

This is a Royal Brackla single malt, chosen and bottled by Duncan Taylor, aged 14 year old from 2006, drawn from cask 9330348 and bottled at 55%. Just 85 bottles were filled. Royal Brackla, founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. 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. The house style leans on sherry wood, building a fruity, dried fruit character. Tall copper stills and a long fermentation give an elegant, fragrant spirit. The distillery lies near Nairn, at the edge of the Highlands above Inverness.

At its natural 55% it is concentrated. Honeyed fruit and oak spice meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the sweetness. A fruity, gently spiced finish lingers long. This is the regal Highland malt of Cawdor.