Royal Brackla 16 Years Old

A sixteen year-old, Sherry-finished, Highland Single Malt good enough for a king.

In 1812, Captain William Fraser of Brackla House built his distillery on the grounds of Cawdor Castle — just a bit too far west to be considered a Speyside, so a Highlander it is. King William IV liked it so much he awarded them a “Royal Warrant” to keep him well supplied. Thus they became the Royal Brackla Distillery and have been called “The King’s Own Whisky” ever since. Queen Victoria renewed it in 1838. 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 continuous operation. Formerly owned by Diageo, it became a part of the Bacardi portfolio when they acquired John Dewer & Sons in 2014.

The sixteen year-old 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 our favorite of the bunch. Brackla finishes their Single Malt in premium, first-fill, Oloroso Sherry casks, 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 highest quality dram and a great value.

Smartass Corner:
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.