Royal Brackla 14 Years Old 2008 Cask #312867 (A.D. Rattray)

This Royal Brackla was from the independent bottler A.D. Rattray, aged 14 year old from 2008, drawn from cask 312867 and bottled at 57.8%. Just 316 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. 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. 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 unpeated make lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. Cawdor Burn water and tall stills shape a clean, elegant spirit. The royal warrant set Brackla apart in the early days of legal whisky. Few Highland malts wear their history as openly as this one.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.8%, it is rich. 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.