Royal Brackla 18 Year Old

Description

Royal Brackla 18 Year Old Bottling Note

Royal Brackla 18 Year Old is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky produced by the Royal Brackla Distillery, a historic site founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser near Cawdor, Scotland.

This distillery holds the distinction of being the first to receive a Royal Warrant, granted by King William IV in 1833, earning it the title “The King’s Own Whisky.” The 18 Year Old expression is part of the distillery’s reimagined core range, relaunched in 2019 with a focus on sherry cask finishes to highlight depth and elegance.

The whisky is matured for 18 years in a combination of American oak casks—specifically first-fill, refill, and recharred barrels—before undergoing a finishing period in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks. This finishing stage imparts a refined complexity, enhancing the whisky’s natural malt character with subtle richness and spice. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, Royal Brackla 18 Year Old retains its full-bodied texture and aromatic integrity.

The use of Palo Cortado casks is particularly notable, as this style of sherry is known for its hybrid character—combining the finesse of Amontillado with the depth of Oloroso. This contributes to a layered and structured profile, with a balance of fruit, oak, and spice elements. The whisky’s extended aging and careful cask management result in a composed and expressive single malt that reflects both the distillery’s royal heritage and its commitment to nuanced maturation.

Royal Brackla 18 Year Old Tasting Note

Nose: Rich and complex, displaying deep notes of dark cherry, polished mahogany, and toasted marzipan. A subtle warmth of leather and tobacco leaf develops, balanced by a hint of mature citrus peel and dried figs.

Palate: Silky and mouth-coating. The flavour delivers a concentrated profile of stone fruit jam, raisins, and dark caramel. There is a prominent, well-integrated spice layer of clove and allspice, derived from its Palo Cortado sherry cask finishing. The malt remains refined and authoritative.

Finish: Long, dry, and elegantly spicy. The subtle tannins from the oak and sherry linger, leaving impressions of cocoa powder and dark honey that slowly fade.

Overall: A sophisticated and well-aged Highland malt, defined by its exquisite use of rare Palo Cortado sherry casks. It offers exceptional structure, depth, and a dry, nuanced complexity befitting its age.