Royal Brackla 15 Years Old 2006 Cask #1802 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

Alistair Walker Whisky Company bottled this Royal Brackla single malt, aged 15 year old from 2006, drawn from cask 1802 and bottled at 57.2%. Just 313 bottles were filled. Royal Brackla, first built in 1812 on the Earl of Cawdor's estate near Nairn, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. Captain Fraser, late of the army in India, shipped his spirit south to beat the local smugglers.

The spirit was made in copper pot stills after a long fermentation, for a fruity, honeyed make of real finesse. A sherry cask wrapped the fruity spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, dried fruit and a warm spice. Sherry wood is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. Owned today by John Dewar and Sons, part of Bacardi, it remains a quiet Highland name.

At cask strength 57.2% it is full bodied. The Madeira lends raisin, caramel and a nutty edge, and vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under a refined, fruity sweetness. A dried fruit and a gentle oak spice give it real depth. The finish is deep, spiced and rounded. This is a fragrant Highland single malt of real finesse.