Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

ABV: 40%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

In 1812, Royal Brackla was established on the Cawdor Castle estate. In 1835, King William IV granted the first Scotch distillery a royal warrant. The distillery's "Royal" designation was added after it was granted this warrant; in 1848, Royal Lochnagar underwent a similar development.

The distillery's current configuration bears little resemblance to its previous operation. It was closed in 1985 and reopened in 1991. In 1998, Bacardi acquired it from Diageo as a component of Dewar's brand. It has primarily been used to mix Dewar's with a line of 12-, 18-, and 21-year-old statements that have only recently been released this year.
The beverage is an amber-brown color.

Sherry's notes are present straight up on the nose. Old furnishings, varnish, and shavings of pencils. Apples in various colors emerge. Tea and honey. It gradually turns sawdusty and grassy (herbal). I'm reminded of Jeshthamadh (Indian licorice) powder by that flavor, which is sweet, dusty, and herbal. Bananas that are too ripe follow with some lemon-lime citrus flavors. With water, the nose becomes slightly more rounded, accentuates the floral side, and mutes the woodsy herbal notes.

It is peppery and woodsy on the palate. Coffee beans that have been roasted, marshmallows, and a dash of cinnamon. Together with orange oils, sweet licorice, and over-brewed tea, the sherry influence is extremely strong. On the palate, the herbaceous and woody aromas persist.

Unexpectedly, there is a little hint of brine! On the whole, it has a somewhat narrow palette. While adding weight at first, water makes the oloroso barrel more noticeable and drowns the distillate, leaving a rather unpleasant aftertaste in contrast to what it did to the nose. I wouldn't include water. The low ABV is a hindrance.