Royal Brackla 12 Year (Discontinued)

I’m back to knocking down a sample from our Scottish Distillery team: Royal Brackla 12. This sample was provided to the group by @Generously_Paul. Royal Brackla was founded in 1812 and is currently owned by Dewars & Sons. In 1833, they were issued a royal warrant by King William IV and remain as one of only three ever issued the decree (Royal Lochnagar and Glenury Royal). They produce around 3.5 million liters per year and they primarily supply Dewars blends. The Highland 12 year old, single malt is deep gold in color, creates lots of legs and leaves behind large droplets because it’s bottled at the legal minimum of 40% ABV. The nose is heavy on tropical fruit, apples, citrus and muddled mint. There’s some lighter oak notes in the background, as well. The palate suffers from a thin mouthfeel and doesn’t offer much depth. There’s tropical notes, orchard fruits and a little vanilla sweetness. The oak is restrained on the palate just like the nose. The finish is mostly oak, but it’s short and weak. This one begs to be bumped up in the ABV department. Overall, this is another one that happily belongs in blends. I’m not sure it deserves a single malt release, especially at 40%. The royal decree is mostly a gimmick to sell more bottles, while they should focus more on adding depth and complexity IMO. Glad to tick this one off the list, but I’m not a big fan. 3 stars. Cheers.

What a pleasant purchase! After a post op Dr.'s appointment (eye surgery) I decided I deserved a treat. Stopped in one of those big chain liquor stores to have a look. (You know the type, offer good prices on the entry level 750 ml items, full SRP--or more--on everything else.) I spotted a single bottle of this nectar on the shelf for $40. I have never had this whisky in all of my 69 years; but, I knew it had a good reputation and I knew that was a great price. (Some on-line retailers ask as much as $80-100, or even more.) I plunged and am so glad I did. It pours a golden amber in the glass. Moderate legs. The nose is of stewed fruit, almonds and walnuts, orange zest, vanilla, and a touch of Christmas spice, perhaps nutmeg. On entry it first seems a little thin, but an oiliness is immediately present. The taste is much like the nose, but the "stewed fruit" nose now comes across easily as the sherry influence of Spanish casks. This is not a sherry "bomb," but has the strong influence as you would find in Aberlour 12 or Macallan 12 Double Cask. In fact this has most of the same flavor notes as the Macallan. Testing that observation I am presently sipping them side by side. Yes, I can hardly tell the difference. The Macallan finish seems to be a little longer. Getting this for $40 was a great deal. Would not be willing to pay the obscene prices some are asking when there are other options.

I have seen this on shelves and often wondered about this; tempted to purchase out of sheer curiosity. Decent packaging, majestic name. Well, the wondering is no more. A fruity beginning with a mixture of citrus tangerine, white fruity apples and some tropical kiwi and pineapples. The sweeter notes of vanilla and caramel are swirled in. Lightly toasted whole wheat bread provide some a cereal grains. The nose come through on the palate within a medium body. Apples, vanilla, caramel, orange creamsicle. There is an oaky spice with a dash of black pepper that comes through towards the finish. The finish is bitter and slightly drying with a touch of cucumber and ginger that is medium in length. This is a good whisky that provides some good aromatics and some enjoyable sweetness. It falls a bit short on the palate and finish and encourages another draw sooner than later. For the average shelf price, one is better spending on something else, at a lower cost. Worthy of a taste, though. Thanks @Generously_Paul for the sample. [85/100][Tasted: 6/19/18]

Fabulous Twins liquor sale purchase at $43. Royal warrant issued by King William IV in 1833 made this the Kings own whisky. Finished in Oloroso sherry butts for complexity this is a sought after single malt. Poured neat, nice sweet notes. Bubble gum, banana, malt, light tropics and gentle wood. Some mild spice sneaks in too. Palate brings the same with sweet gummy malt taking center stage followed by tropical fruit, Christmas like spice and wood trailing off. Not the deepest flavors but quite delicious. Reminds me a lot of Aberfeldy 12 combined with Old Pulteney profile with more complexity. Finish is drying sherried malt and wood with a hint of smokiness and bubble gum. This is very tasty scotch with a great historical story that I really enjoyed. At normal price points not sure I would rush to replace my bottle but undeniably delicious scotch..........86/100

Nose is like a toasted coconut marshmallow on a plate adjacent to hot vanilla rice pudding. It smells comfortable, rich, warm and creamy. Palate is in fact fairly rich, with smooth, caramel lightly coating and warming your mouth from front to back. A larger, lingering, sip reveals dark jammy fruits, and a hint of salted malt biscuits. Finish is medium-short, moving from oily-sweet to a rather oaky dry before clean nothingness. This drinks hotter than its 40% ABV, and I think that impacts the overall creaminess, making it seem thinner than it really is. Not objectionable in the least. But also not really intriguing. Its a solid drink for a night where you don’t want to think too much about your drink.

Nose: banana. Orange, pear, pancake malt. Maple syrup. Very heavy almond sherry funk. Herbal, bay leaf, sage, vanilla whipped cream. Taste: pear and honey. Heavy malt. Salty and raisin finish with maybe a very light hint of peat. Gets sweeter as you drink to reveal a thin layer of caramel and vanilla and butterscotch. Water makes it all sweet with almost no complexity, bringing a lot of the sherry funk influence to the top. As a malt that’s used in blends it has a lot of flavor but nothing too exciting or strong. Very home plate balanced malt that’s not boring or loud (or expensive). Definitely good for beginners especially if you like the heavy malt and fruit notes.