Royal Brackla 16 Years Old 2008 Cask #304045 (Saltire Rare Malt)

From Saltire Rare Malt comes this Royal Brackla, a 16 year old release from 2008, drawn from cask 304045 and bottled at 50.7%. Only 294 bottles were released. Royal Brackla, founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser on the Cawdor Estate of Macbeth fame, is the first Royal distillery in Scotch. The house style leans on sherry wood, fruity and elegant.

It was distilled twice on soft Cawdor Burn water, for a clean, floral spirit with a gentle spice. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the fruity character to the fore. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, dried fruit and a warm spice. Long ageing builds a honeyed weight over the fragrant Highland spirit. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 50.7%, it is rich. A gentle vanilla and coconut from the wood runs under citrus and a floral lift. It is refined and deep, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is deep, spiced and rounded. This is an elegant Highland malt of real depth.