Royal Brackla 15 Years Old 2006 Violet Tapestry (Wemyss)

Bottled by Wemyss Malts, this Royal Brackla, aged 15 year old from 2006 and bottled at 46%. 286 bottles in all. Set on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn, Royal Brackla has distilled since 1812. Water for the make is drawn from the Cawdor Burn.

It was distilled on Cawdor Burn water in tall copper stills, for the fruity, elegant spirit Royal Brackla is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. By this age the orchard fruit rounds into honey and a fuller spice. The unpeated make lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. Fraser shipped his spirit south to England to outpace the local smugglers of his day. The King's Own Whisky has carried its royal connection for nearly two centuries. Unpeated and fruit led, the spirit takes sherry and wine casks gracefully. The Cawdor Estate has grown barley and made spirit for two centuries. A long, cool maturation rounds the fruit into honey and dried fruit.

At 46% it is soft, honeyed and fragrant. Green apple and a fragrant lift sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. It is clean and elegant, the fragrant spirit shining through. The close is warm, honey over soft oak. This is a Highland malt with a royal past.