Royal Brackla 8 Years Old 2014 Cask #9599 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

This is a Royal Brackla single malt, chosen and bottled by The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, an 8 year old from 2014, drawn from cask 9599 and bottled at 55.5%. 360 bottles in all. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 on the Cawdor Estate near Nairn; it became the first Scotch granted a royal warrant, by William IV in 1833. Long a backbone of the Dewar's blends, it is now bottled as a single malt in its own right.

It was distilled on Cawdor Burn water in tall copper stills, for the fruity, elegant spirit Royal Brackla is known for. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit and tannin meeting the elegant spirit. At this age the spirit is fresh and fruity, the orchard fruit and citrus bright. Refill oak holds back its sweetness, letting the elegant distillery character lead. The distillery was rebuilt and expanded across its long working life.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.5%, it is rich. The Port cask adds plum, red berry and raisin, and honeyed fruit and oak spice meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the sweetness. Orchard fruit and honey draw out the close. This is the regal Highland malt of Cawdor.