Royal Brackla 12 Year Old

Nose

There is more going on here than you would expect at 40 per cent. A marvellous aroma of dark plums rises to the nose, accompanied by a pleasant hint of cocoa. This is accompanied by slightly leathery nuances - not necessarily what you would expect after a wellness weekend, but certainly full of character. There is a hint of something musty, which gives the whole thing an earthy depth. Most interesting, however, are the pickled red fruits, which smell like a well-stocked jam jar from grandma's pantry.

Taste

Black pepper dominates the first encounter and makes it clear that this Highland malt makes no compromises. Nutmeg joins the mix and creates a thoroughly spicy mood. If you like it mild, you should perhaps try a Glenfiddich 12 first - this Royal Brackla means business.
Sultanas and prunes bring a pleasant sweetness into play, but it never dominates. It's as if someone has added a generous helping of spices to a clay pot full of pickled fruit. This combination works surprisingly well and gives the whisky a nice complexity.

Finish

The finish is quite dry and warming - exactly what you want after a long day. The Royal Brackla finishes with a medium length and shows its peppery side once again. At the end, light fruit orient spices come to the fore again, giving the whole thing a nice finish.