Royal Brackla 16 Years Old 2007 (Old Malt Cask)

A Royal Brackla single malt, selected and bottled by Hunter Laing, a 16 year old release from 2007 and bottled at 50%. 152 bottles in all. Opened in 1812 in the Highlands on the estate of Cawdor Castle, Royal Brackla is the King's Own Whisky. It is one of only three distilleries to carry the Royal name in Scotch.

Double distilled in tall copper pot stills with upward angled lyne arms, giving the refined, lightly spiced make at its heart. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. Mid age brings a fuller honey and a deeper dried fruit note. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit and spice deepening with age. The distillery lies near Nairn, at the edge of the Highlands above Inverness. Owned today by John Dewar and Sons, part of Bacardi, it remains a quiet Highland name. Fraser shipped his spirit south to England to outpace the local smugglers of his day.

Undiluted at 50%, it is layered. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with orchard fruit and a gentle spice. The mouthfeel is round, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The finish runs honeyed, spiced and soft. This is a polished, fruity Highland whisky.