Whisky Review: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old, aged 21 years and finished in oloroso — a Scotch expression worthy of considered evaluation.
Nose
46% ABV. Aged 21 years and finished in oloroso, Palo Cortado, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. No caramel coloring or chill filtration. SRP $599.99. This is a rich amber in color with long slow legs. Nectarine and honey are the first thing I get on the nose. Black pepper and baking spice with a rich caramel are backing up the fruity scent. The initial taste of this is quite complex. I get some tropical fruit, rich and nutty caramel, and a black pepper spice. Really get the taste of the malt at the transition to the finish that tastes like I just put malted barley into my mouth. Finish has a bit of citrus and bitterness that makes me think of hops. It also has a little funk to it with a touch of sulfur and a dry vegetal quality. Finish is long but light. While this certainly didnt need water the addition brought out even more of what I got in the nose with more sweetness on the front and spice on the mid palate. I also found the touch of water made the finish much cleaner.
Palate
This is an excellent sipping whisky that has a nice progression from richer flavors to a light finish. The finish won’t be for everyone with flavors that are a tad funky and almost beer-like. I think this new offering from Royal Brackla does a good job of representing the history of its distillery.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Whisky Review: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is an exceptional expression that stands among the finest in its category. It rewards patience and attention in equal measure, and we recommend it without reservation — though at $599.99. This is a rich amber in color with long slow legs, one expects nothing less.
