Royall Brackla - 12 Years Old Single Malt - 2007 Collection - 48% abv

700ml Bottle x 48% abv

Highland Single Malt, 48%, 70cl — Small Batch of 2 casks, First Fill Sherry Butt Limited edition of 1476 bottles.

Located on the western boundary of Speyside, near the town of Nairn, Royal Brackla is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. In 1833, it was the first distillery to receive a Royal Warrant of Appointment from King William IV. The appointment was renewed 5 years later by Queen Victoria. This recognition is found at every stage of tasting this extremely complex and yet surprisingly accessible version. Luxurious, with remarkable depth, it draws on malted barley to fully express every extroverted aspect of its character, giving it a unique charm that is impossible to resist.

NOSE - Deep, distinguished. A complex combination of dried apricot, beeswax, blood orange, precious wood, toasted walnut and dark chocolate, the first nose never stops developing. Right at this moment, noble spices (clove, cardamom, black pepper, ginger) and a very exotic rancio (lychee, mango, guava) appear alongside heady florals (carnation, peony, lavender). Allowed to breathe, notes of tobacco, leather, cocoa bean and rum baba highlight the very mature character of the aromatic palette.

PALATE - Svelte, lively. The very slender attack reveals malted barley in all its splendour. Very rich, it brings to mind a delicious candied fruit cake. On the mid-palate, quince jelly and apricot and mango coulis very delicately envelope the taste buds. Indisputably ethereal, the flavour palette becomes increasingly powdery (cocoa), mentholated and honeyed (lime blossom, heather).

FINISH - Long, delicate. Very delicately tannic, the start of the finish is mouth- watering. Various infusions of aromatic plants (verbena, mint) constantly refresh the palate. Praline, chestnut and candied ginger then bring lots of harmony to a finish that beams for its light and elegance. In unison, the empty glass evokes both a herbalist’s store and a carpenter’s workshop (oak, varnish, walnut stain).