Royal Brackla 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish

Nose: Although there is a good helping of the ABV it’s a friendly and inviting nose. Cherry, vanilla custard, plenty of confectionary sugar and foam sweets. Brown sugar dusted green apples and plums appear as the glass matures, along with buttery pastry with cinnamon. Like a fresh apple pie. Palate: Not much of a mouthfeel, a tad watery. The sherry influence is evident on the palate. There’s a richness and depth of flavour that I really like, almost red wine-like. There is a mild chilli heat tingle on the tongue along with cherry and blood orange bitterness. There’s a slight astringency which I’m not fond of, it’s the only negative I have however and it’s (almost) negligible. Finish: Medium in length. The blood orange and cherry linger longest. The astringency is also still evident which is a shame. thewhiskeychaps.com

Smell: There’s lots of sherry. Walnuts. Conkers – Autumnal in general actually. New leather jackets and rolling tobacco. Raisins and sultanas. Coffee beans. Dark chocolate. There’s a little bit of cherry in there and toffee apples too. Ground cinnamon. Orange zest. Water brought out a subtle meaty note. Taste: Straight away I’m getting all the sherry and raisiny notes. The big sherry arrival flows into a blast of spice mid-palate. Dark chocolate and oak at the back. Dry finish with lingering sultanas and currants. Burnt caramel and toffee. Water softens the arrival and the dram takes on more of a honeyed note. Vanilla fudge. Gingerbread. Orange liqueur. WhiskyReviews.net