Royal Brackla 10 Year Old 2006 Highland Laird

Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 near Cawdor Castle – on the border between Highlands and Speyside. Cawdor Castle is also the backdrop for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but I digress. This 10 years old is from the stables of Bartel Rawlings, who bottled it at cask strength in their Highland Laird series. I already tried an nice Auchentoshan 1992, but also a great Dailuaine 1996, lovely Glentauchers 1996, good Strathilsa 1989 and Tullibardine 1993 from them. So now Brackla – from a bourbon hogshead.

Sturdy, sweet, fruity and creamy nose. Fatty actually. Sweet butter, peach, grapefruit and gooseberries. Graeffe sugar suddently kicks in and it works! This is very good.

Sturdy arrival, somewhat piquant on black pepper and some nutmeg, but also quite some oak. That is counterfooted nicely by the sweet notes as if from baked apples, peach and citrus fruit. Does not need water at all.

The finish is quite long and pleasant: warm and sweet;

It was bottled specially for the Antwerp Whisky & Spirits Festival in 2017. Should you have missed that one, check with Anverness. Maybe Peter has a bottle left. It is worth your while!

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