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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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December 4, 2023 |
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A Triplet of Bracklas
We do enjoy sampling a few Bracklas from time to time; it's not a malt that's easy to categorise, so it's always a bit of a discovery…
Picture: new favourite maple syrup at Château WF, Escuminac Late Harvest from Québec
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Royal Brackla 1974/1999 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice) 
It's always a joy to taste one of those old 'new map labels' that we haven't tasted yet, thanks to some good friends who keep opening these bottles. In theory we should have had it last as it's old as the hills, but since the others were bottled at boisterous strengths, well… Colour: deep amber. Nose: oh, awesomely delicate, so un-modern, with amazing meadow flowers and honeys, biscuits, madeleines, very old sweet wines with a little camphor showing up, some mushrooms (simply fresh white buttons), then a little white chocolate and cappuccino. Rather geared towards precious meads after a few minutes, but remember mead was the drink of the Gods in ancient Greece. Mouth: absolutely ravishing even if a little light, with astounding coffees and teas, various syrups (cane, agave, barley of course, maple), rather a lot praline, a few raisins, then even more top-of-range maple syrup. Maple syrup isn't too common in France but I just love it and I've got some good Canadian friends (cheerio). Finish: not that short and I have the impression that there is even more maple syrup in this finish. Comments: a ravishing delight indeed. I'd have happily gone to 90 and above but in truth and TBH, those 40% vol. remain a wee tad frustrating. But it is a nectar of the gods.
SGP:641 - 89 points. |
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Royal Brackla 8 yo 2014/2023 (56.3%, Lady of the Glen, oloroso butt, cask #169, 49 bottles)
I believe this wee chunk of a butt was bottled for Tyndrum Whisky. Colour: reddish coffee. Nose: ooh, meats, Texan barbecue sauce, hoisin, grilled steak, teriyaki, umeshu, huge bag of prunes, chocolate truffles, lamb tagine… Well it was some butt, as it appears. An international butt! With water: the expected walnuts chiming in, black turon, quite some copper polish too, mosses, chervil, a little fenugreek, even leeks, bouillons, shiitake… Boy does this youngster speak. Was it a proper solera butt for once, by any chance? Mouth (neat): heavy, spicy, sweet concoction. It is some kind of sauce at this stage, but I believe no one's expecting anybody to try this crazy baby without any water. With water: the wood joining in, with some cedarwood, pencil shavings, then we rather have toffee, bitter marmalade, bitter oranges, curry leaves, caraway, pepper, clove, leather, tobacco… This one's really packed with action. Finish: anything bitter marmalade taking over. Wood extracts, peppers, capsicum, juniper… Comments: a real fighter. You won't gulp down 10cl just like that, for it is extreme, but I say everyone needs an insane bottle like this. Open. Now I know, they produced only 49 of them, but since it was from a butt, let's say the hunting season is open. See what I mean.
SGP:762 - 88 points. |
Good, I suppose something a bit closer to the original distillate would be in order too… |
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Royal Brackla 10 yo 2013/2023 (58.9%, James Eadie, re-charred hogshead, cask #302358, 285 bottles) 
A recharred hogshead? We're all for a circular economy, are we not. Colour: light gold. Nose: the calm that follows the storm. Some gentler vanilla, some good beers (proper Pilsner), some bread dough, some very fresh panettone, some shortbread… In truth it's a chamber music quartet after the Berliner Philharmonic (or after Mogwai, ha). With water: fresh croissants, various rolls, chalk, vanilla, pancakes… Mouth (neat): classic malty and fruity arrival, with apples and lemons plus peppery spices and a bit of white sugar. Not too sure, this time again I doubt anyone would drink this neat. With water: lovely, with oranges, cassata, many candied fruits, more pastries and some white pepper. Finish: medium, sweet and pleasant, with some nougat and oranges liqueur this time. Sweet apples, pastry dough and sweet beers. Comments: right, perhaps not the ultimate competition beast, after all, but it does the job rather to perfection.
SGP:541 - 85 points. |
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