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Available now online at The Whisky Exchange and in select specialist retailers, with an RRP from £60 to £220
London, June 2021 – John Dewar & Sons has unveiled a new range of whiskies from ROYAL BRACKLA, the first Scotch to be granted a Royal Warrant by King William IV in 1833. Showcasing the quality of ROYAL BRACKLA for a new generation of malt drinkers, the obsession of Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod, with maturation and finishing in the finest selected casks has led to the re-imagining of the new core range. Each of the new expressions has been finished in the finest of Sherry casks to add an extra layer of opulence to this fragrant and fruity malt, including Oloroso, Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez. The newly available offering includes ROYAL BRACKLA 12 Year Old, ROYAL BRACKLA
18 Year Old and ROYAL BRACKLA 21 Year Old, all bottled at a higher ABV of 46%, compared to the previous strength of 40% ABV and without the use of caramel colouring and chill filtration, showcasing ROYAL BRACKLA’s commitment to preserving the unparalleled quality of its whisky. Available now online at The Whisky Exchange and in select specialist retailers, with a recommended retail price from £60 to £220.
Finishing flair
Through extensive research, Stephanie found that ROYAL BRACKLA’S whisky is excellent for taking on fortified wine finishes as the fruity, grassiness of the distillery’s character favours this perfectly. After several years of trialling and exploring different sherries, Stephanie has chosen to showcase three types from Bodegas Jose y Miguel Martin in Jerez, Spain in each expression, so one can explore the individual influence each Sherry cask has on the final liquids:ROYAL BRACKLA 12 Year Old 46% ABV, finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. Oloroso was chosen to age the 12 Year Old as it bestows notes of chocolate covered almonds, muscovado sugar and ripe fruits.
Tasting notes: Ripe peaches, apples, black cherries, marzipan, chocolate covered almonds and muscovado sugar
Finish: Rich and exuberant – the full-bodied spice of Oloroso, and the bright summer breeze of Royal
Brackla elegantly combine as a smooth and inviting dram
ROYAL BRACKLA 18 Year Old 46% ABV, finished in Palo Cortado Sherry casks
The casks from this unusual Sherry were chosen to finish the 18 Year Old because it brings citrus notes and builds flavours of creamy vanilla, spices and soft fruits.
Tasting notes: Vanilla and caramel, with a fresh citrus note
Finish: Enticing and complex – rich spices, creamy vanilla, big, succulent soft fruits and cocoa powder, brightened with a zing of citrus
ROYAL BRACKLA 21 Year Old 46% ABV, finished in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso and Palo Cortado Sherry casks
For the 21 Year Old expression, Stephanie has layered casks from three sherries together to create further complexity in this elegant whisky. A blend of Pedro Ximénez, alongside Oloroso and Palo Cortado, is used to finish the oldest expression; the combination was picked as they create a wonderful balance of Sherry and oak revealing each of their influences all in harmony.
Tasting notes: Thick toffee notes, stewed fruits and muscovado sugar
Finish: Regal and assured – syrupy toffee notes with richly fragrant stewed fruits warmed by the sun and dusted in cinnamon and muscovado sugar
Stephanie comments: “ROYAL BRACKLA possesses a clean acidity which allows it to cut through the powerful flavours taken on during ageing in ex-Sherry casks. The type of cask is always chosen to complement the distillery’s signature character, not mask it. Finishing the aged spirit in these prized wooden vessels imparts each expression with incredible complexity, each with their own nuances and all with a superbly balanced finish, but most importantly, still allowing for ROYAL BRACKLA’s flavour profile to shine through. The secondary maturation phase gives an extra dimension to the whisky – like a layer of icing on a cake – it adds the finishing touch. The result is a sumptuous, fruitful dram with rich sherried notes and soft spicy overtones.”
The First Royal Scotch Whisky
Brackla distillery was founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, but in 1833 its spirit pleased the palate of King William IV so greatly that he awarded it a Royal Warrant. It thereby became the first Scotch to be honoured with regal approval, was renamed ROYAL BRACKLA and raised whisky’s wider status to a drink fit for kings and queens. ‘The Drink Divine’, as it was known once it furnished the royal table, is one of the foundation stones in the story of Scotland’s national drink.
ROYAL BRACKLA is also helping Bacardi in its mission to become the most environmentally responsible global spirits company. The weight of the new range has been reduced, representing a reduction of nearly 29 tonnes of glass, 14 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and 26,000 litres of water within the first year.
Global Brand Director for Malts, Ian Taylor comments: “We’ve been distilling exceptional whisky at Brackla for over two centuries, but every strong start needs the right finishing touch. The history, itsrole in making Scotch prestigious and the incredible quality of the whiskies we have in our reserve, all justified our decision to repackage and reassess the offering from ROYAL BRACKLA.
”Adding further “Having spent several years looking at different finishing options, our Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod, approached us with the concept of a new Sherry cask finished range and it felt that the stars had aligned. We had the chance to showcase the quality of Brackla for a new generation of malt drinkers. So, here’s to our aim of perfecting the finest sherried malt whiskies in the world – and long live ‘The King’s Own Whisky’.”
Available to purchase in the UK now at The Whisky Exchange and specialist retailers,
RRP £60 (12 Year Old), RRP £130 (18 Year Old), RRP £220 (21 Year Old)
@royalbrackla
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Notes to Editors
About ROYAL BRACKLA Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, ROYAL BRACKLA’s regal malt has a remarkable history. The distillery itself is over two centuries old and its malt’s nickname of ‘The King’s Own Whisky’ stems from its distinction as the first Single Malt to be granted a Royal Warrant. A feat that raised whisky’s wider status to a drink fit for kings and queens. ‘The Drink Divine’, as it was known once it furnished the royal table, is one of the foundation stones in the story of Scotland’s national drink.
High-grade barley, flawless water from the Cawdor Burn and slow distillation produce a truly refined spirit, before each age statement is expertly finished in specific types of the finest of sherry Casks, imparting each expression with incredible complexity and opulent sherried notes. The newly revised portfolio comprises three ROYAL BRACKLA single malts: the 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and 21 Year Old. The single malt brand of ROYAL BRACKLA is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.
Please enjoy Royal Brackla responsibly.
© 2021 ROYAL BRACKLA AND ITS TRADE DRESS ARE TRADEMARKS
