RoyalBrackla16YearsOld(700mL)

<p>A sixteen year-old, Sherry-finished, Highland Single Malt good enough for a king. </p><p>In <em>1812</em>, Captain <em>William Fraser</em> of Brackla House built his distillery on the grounds of <em>Cawdor Castle</em> — just a bit too far west to be considered a Speyside, so a Highlander it is. <em>King William IV</em> liked it so much he awarded them a<em> “Royal Warrant”</em> to keep him well supplied. Thus they became the <em>Royal Brackla Distillery</em> and have been called “The King’s Own Whisky” ever since. <em>Queen Victoria</em> renewed it in<em> 1838</em>. The turn of the century brought a series of acquisitions, mergers, and buy-out. It has been closed twice for major renovations and repairs, but has other wise been in <em>continuous operation</em>. Formerly owned by Diageo, it became a part of the Bacardi portfolio when they acquired John Dewer & Sons in 2014.</p><p>The <em>sixteen year-old</em> is the middle child of the Royal Brackla range — there is a twelve and a twenty-one as well. But we have to say that the sixteen is likely<em> our favorite</em> of the bunch. Brackla finishes their Single Malt in premium, first-fill, <em>Oloroso Sherry casks</em>, and sixteen years is darn-near a magic number for aging. Brackla has been in such demand for blends that they are a lesser-known brand among Single Malts. All that combines to make it a<em> highest quality dram</em> and a great value.</p><p><u>Smartass Corner:</u><em>Only three distilleries have ever been awarded the right to use the word “Royal” in their name by order of King of Queen — it’s called a “Royal Warrant.” They include Royal Brackla, Royal Lachnagar, and the now demolished Glenury Royal. If you’re thinking of the Whisky “Royal Salute,” they have a warrant for that particular Spirit, not the distillery.</em></p>