Royal Brackla 16 Years Old 1991 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This is a Royal Brackla single malt, chosen and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, a 16 year old Highland malt from 1991 and bottled at 46%. Set near Nairn, on the Cawdor Estate, Royal Brackla has distilled since 1812. Long a backbone of the Dewar's blends, it is now bottled as a single malt in its own right.

The spirit was run through lamp glass spirit stills for a clean, fruity spirit, to build a fragrant, orchard fruit character. A sherry cask wrapped the fruity spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Mid age brings a fuller honey and a deeper dried fruit note. A long fermentation of up to 110 hours builds the fruity esters at the heart of the spirit. Queen Victoria renewed the royal warrant in 1838, confirming its regal standing. 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.

At an approachable 46% it is elegant and balanced. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and honeyed fruit and oak spice meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the sweetness. The close is warm, honey over soft oak. This is the regal Highland malt of Cawdor.