The Bacardi-owned Royal Brackla gained its regal prefix in 1835 when King William IV bestowed a Royal Warrant upon the distillery. It was the first distillery to attain such an accolade and the spirit was heralded accordingly as the ‘King’s own whisky’. Lying in blissful serenity in the Highlands, not far South of the town of Nairn, Brackla’s life blood is the pure waters of the Cawdor Burn.
Its capacity today is large at some 3.9 million litres and all of this, save for a few thousand casks, is used in Dewar’s blended products. The distillery was founded in 1812, by Captain William Fraser and it was not until 1919 that it parted from Fraser-family hands, after it was acquired by the Aberdeen-based James Leict and John Mitchell. Brackla ran in-house maltings for some time, though they were closed in 1966. Four years later the still capacity was increased with the addition of two further stills.
Royal Brackla is currently under John Dewar and Sons ownership – Dewars was acquired by Bacardi in 1998, ending Diageo tenure, save for the warehousing which the drinks giant still rent as part of a long time lease. Accordingly Royal Brackla spirit is matured elsewhere. An official ten year-old was released in 2004 and there have been several independent bottlings throughout the years.
€78Original price was: €78.€68Current price is: €68.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright gold. This is an inference based on the natural presentation and the appearance shown in reviewed bottle imagery for this exact release.
Nose: Ripe fruits, plums, berries, raisins and peach, with some floral notes and a warming cask-strength edge. This is based on reviewed tasting notes for this exact release.
Palate: Spicy and warming, with green apple, pear, light vanilla, some grainy sweetness and noticeable oak. This is based on reviewed tasting notes for this exact release.
Finish: Long, warming and fruit-led, with lingering spice and oak. This is an inference based on reviewed tasting notes and the cask-strength single-cask profile of this exact release.
Fabulous 12 year old single malt from Royal Brackla! Bottled at 46% ABV, this whisky was finished in Oloroso sherry casks imparting a fantastically fruity, spiced depth of flavour. Royal Brackla was the first distillery to be granted the ‘royal’ warrant by King William IV back in 1833!
€118.90Original price was: €118.90.€99.90Current price is: €99.90.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright gold. This is an inference based on the refill bourbon barrel maturation and overall presentation.
Nose: Fresh orchard fruit, vanilla sweetness, soft honey, and light oak spice. This is an inference based on the refill bourbon barrel cask type and the whisky’s Highland single malt style.
Palate: Clean and lively, with apple and pear notes, vanilla, gentle citrus, and a firm cask-strength structure. This is an inference based on the refill bourbon barrel maturation and 55.4% ABV.
Finish: Medium to long, warming, and slightly drying, with lingering fruit, soft spice, and oak. This is an inference based on the whisky’s cask-strength presentation and maturation style.
€135Original price was: €135.€125Current price is: €125.
Royal Brackla 18 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish
A glorious Highland single malt from Royal Brackla! Matured for 18 years, this whisky is then finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks. Brimming with creamy vanilla and spice, this is an opulent, fruity sipper – worthy of the ‘royal’ warrant which was bestowed upon the distillery in 1833 by King William IV!
€250Original price was: €250.€230Current price is: €230.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep amber. This is a presentation-led inference based on the sherry butt finish and product imagery.
Nose: Rich sherry, dark fruit, oak spice, and a polished Highland character. This nose wording is a careful style-led adaptation based on the cask type and review-style source information rather than a formal official distillery note.
Palate: Full and warming with dried fruit, sweet malt, spice, and concentrated sherry influence. This palate wording is also an informed adaptation from the release style and review material rather than a published official tasting sheet.
Finish: Long and warming with lingering dark fruit, spice, oak, and rich cask depth. This finish wording is an inference based on the cask style and available review context.
