Royal Brackla (2009) Grown-Up Indulgences Cask 55.72 - The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Royal Brackla bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) matured for 9 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before the 3-year finish began in a 1st fill PX hogshead made from American oak.
The panel
Mean 79.0 · spread 2
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Royal Brackla
- Bottler
- The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Highlands
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 12 years
- Strength
- 58.1% ABV
- Character
- rich
Tasting
Nose
The Royal Brackla 2009 unfolds an opulent palette of flavours on the nose. A strong caramel flavour is dominant, mingling with a sugary-sweet, syrupy note. The sherry influences are unmistakable, with redcurrants in particular coming to the fore. This is accompanied by a strong oak note, which gives the whisky a robust structure.
Palate
Oaky and with a slightly ashy note, the 12-years Royal Brackla begins its journey. The consistency is oily and syrupy, which makes the mouthfeel pleasantly full-bodied. Fruity notes of sultanas and honey dates characterise the taste, accompanied by a tangy lemon note and a hint of redcurrant. Plum is also clearly perceptible, while a slight bitterness is noticeable in the background.
Finish
The finish of the Royal Brackla 2009 is long, intense and dry, with a lingering syrupy note. The feeling of chewing on a cask stave remains long after the last sip and once again emphasises the strong oak presence of this whisky.
Verdicts
Marcel
This Royal Brackla scores with its velvety mouthfeel and the sweet caramel that’s genuinely enjoyable – even if the oak sometimes feels a bit too dominant. For a relaxed evening full of drinking pleasure, though, it’s a solid companion that doesn’t come with a lot of fuss.
Sascha
The Royal Brackla 2009 displays a clear, robust structure with intense oak influence and a balanced finish. While it lacks the hoped-for complexity and fruitiness, its well-integrated balance makes it a technically convincing Highland whisky.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Royal Brackla as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £168 across 50 lots · 2024-08