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Auction: SFW40 - Spink x Cask 88 E-Auction - e-Auction
Lot: 1

CAWDOR-2016-#372


Note: 'Royal Brackla' is the name used by official releases from the Royal Brackla distillery, and 'Cawdor Springs' is a pseudonym that is occasionally used for spirit produced at the distillery. Any bottles produced by third parties may not take the name 'Royal Brackla', but can indicate that the whisky was distilled at 'Royal Brackla Distillery'.


Distillery: Royal Brackla Distillery
Region: Highland
Age: 5 years
Distillation Date: 7th November 2016
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Peated?: No
Re-gauge ABV: 68.5%
Re-gauged Litres of Alcohol (RLA): 290.3 litres
New Bulk Litres: 423.8 litres
Re-gauge Date: 27th July 2022
Bottles: 605
Cask Number: 372

Gorgeously Indulgent Sherry Butt From a Distillery with Royal Approval

Cask Description

The Spirit

Brackla distillery takes its water from Cawdor springs, a source of pure and sweet water once any twigs leaves from the ambulatory Birnham wood are filtered out. This water is used to make a spirit that is exceptionally clean and sharp in flavour.

A medium-long ~70hr fermentation produces clear fruity and floral aromas, which are aggressively refined in tall stills that have upward-angled line arms. Only the very lightest aromatics can escape these stills and become part of this spirit.

The Wood

This whisky has been introduced to a sherry cask early in its life, and this ensures that the indulgent essence of sherry will go right to the whisky's core. Since Brackla's spirit is so clear and aromatic, this combines with the sherry wood to produce a whisky that is almost as perfumed as retsina or communion wine. In the words of its previous owner, 'the liquid is gorgeous'

The Masters

This whisky was distilled under the purview of operations manager Iain Lochhead, who came to whisky from the world of science and bioengineering. Under his watch and technical nous, Royal Brackla's distillation processes were perfected, and the reasons for why certain techniques had traditionally been employed were given a scientific backing. The distillery also improved its energy efficiency and water usage in this time.

The History

Brackla distillery, founded and licensed on the estate of Cawdor castle in 1817, has one of the longest histories among all Scotland's distilleries. Furthermore, it is the first distillery ever to be granted a Royal Warrant: the ability to bear the royal crest and create products to supply the royal household - a privilege shared only with Royal Lochnagar and Laphroaig.

The distillery's founder, Captain William Fraser, did not suffer fools or people who tried to impede his plans. Described as 'aloof, arrogant, spiteful and dishonest' by his enemies, the Captain's stubbornness was of great benefit to Scotch whisky as a whole. Frustrated by local moonshiners eroding his market share at Brackla, he shipped his whisky further afield, eventually becoming the most celebrated malt in London in the 1830s. From there, the first Royal Warrant was granted by King William IV and renewed by Queen Victoria, catapulting the newly re-named 'Royal Brackla' to stardom.



Tasting Notes

Nose:

Very nutty on the nose, especially pecan and coconut. These sit in a brittle of caramel, burnt toffee and apricots and sesame seeds. A little spiciness of chilli and lemongrass follows.

Palate:
Dark chocolate and orange torte, dusted with cocoa powder and pistachio nuts. Rhubarb and fig compote joins the torte, while the finish tapers off into spiced chai, tobacco leaf and a tingle of szechuan pepper.



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