Duncan Taylor Single Cask Brackla 10 Year Old Sherry Cask - 53.8%

 

Founded in 1812, Royal Brackla Distillery lies on the Cawdor Estate in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery has the distinction of producing the first Scotch whisky to be granted a Royal Warrant, by King William IV in 1833.

According to the distillery, the style is “opulent and fruity with rich sherried notes”.

The ‘Royal’ designation is reserved for official distillery bottlings, independent bottlings such as this being known simply as Brackla.

From the Spirits Embassy website 

Distilled in April 2011 and then bottled 10 years later in December 2021 at Cask Strength 53.8%. This Brackla yielded 390 bottles from Sherry Cask #93900067.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Yellow gold, forms a thin line which beads then breaks to fall as slow, thin legs.

Nose: Light, citrusy, apple, barley sugar, pear drops, sultanas, honey.

Palate: Stewed orchard fruits, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, toffee apple. Water adds black liquorice, more malt, pepper and cinnamon spice.

Finish: Warm and spicy, citrus and green apple.

Summary: Another really enjoyable whisky, lots of pleasant citrus elements balanced out with those soft notes of stewed apple and pear. There's a fair amount of spice in this, but for me it's better neat as water doesn't really add a great deal more other than increasing the pepperiness.

Priced at £70 but with only 390 bottles produced it may need tracking down. 

If you would like to know more about Duncan Taylor and their whiskies, follow the link to the company website.

Transparency: No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.