Royal Brackla distillery

Introduction to Royal Brackla

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Royal Brackla is a distinguished Highland Scotch whisky distillery, elegantly combining traditional craftsmanship with refined excellence. Located in the picturesque northern Highlands near Nairn, this prestigious distillery has the distinction of being one of only three to receive a royal warrant from King William IV in 1833, earning it the “Royal” prefix – a testament to its exceptional quality and character.

The distillery produces a spirit that captures the essence of its Highland terroir, with a rich complexity that speaks of both tradition and innovation.

Why we have a special appreciation for Royal Brackla

At Vault of Spirits, we value distilleries that stand apart in both character and heritage. Royal Brackla distinguishes itself through an unusually long fermentation process that contributes to its fruity character, and the use of worm tub condensers that help create a fuller, more robust spirit.

We’re particularly drawn to Royal Brackla’s commitment to unhurried whisky production and its distinguished royal heritage, which together yield expressions of remarkable depth and sophistication.

The history behind Royal Brackla

Origin and development

Royal Brackla was established in 1812 by Captain William Fraser of Brackla House on the estate of Cawdor Castle. From its inception, the distillery focused on creating a whisky of such exceptional quality that it quickly gained recognition at the highest levels of society.

In 1833, it became the first Scotch whisky to receive a royal warrant when King William IV bestowed this honor – a privilege that only Glenury Royal and Royal Lochnagar would later share. This royal recognition cemented Royal Brackla’s reputation as “The King’s Own Whisky.”

Through the centuries, the distillery has weathered changes in ownership and periods of closure, including during both World Wars, yet has maintained its commitment to producing premium single malt whisky with a distinctive character.

The people behind

Today, Royal Brackla is part of the Bacardi portfolio, under their John Dewar & Sons division. The distillery’s team of dedicated craftspeople maintain the traditions that have defined Royal Brackla for generations while implementing subtle innovations to enhance quality.

The master distillers and blenders at Royal Brackla share a profound respect for the distillery’s royal heritage, ensuring that each release maintains the distinguished character that earned the distillery its royal warrant nearly two centuries ago.

The craft and production

From raw materials to finished product

Production at Royal Brackla begins with carefully selected Scottish barley, which undergoes traditional malting processes before being milled and mashed at the distillery. A remarkably long fermentation period – up to 80 hours – allows for the development of the fruity, estery character that defines Royal Brackla whisky.

Distillation takes place in tall copper pot stills with wide necks, promoting reflux and creating a lighter, elegant spirit. The distillery’s continued use of traditional worm tub condensers (rather than modern shell-and-tube condensers) creates less copper contact, resulting in a more robust and characterful new make spirit.

Maturation and aging

Royal Brackla whisky matures primarily in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, which impart rich, dried fruit notes and a distinctive sherried character. This maturation choice complements the fruity distillery character beautifully.

The whiskies are typically aged in the cool, consistent climate of the Highlands, allowing for a steady maturation that develops complexity while preserving the distillery’s essential character. The result is a wonderfully balanced spirit with depth, richness, and a remarkable smoothness.

Selected products from Royal Brackla

Royal Brackla 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This expression serves as an excellent introduction to the Royal Brackla character. Matured in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, it offers notes of ripe orchard fruits, vanilla custard, and rich spices, with a smooth, malty foundation and hints of dark chocolate.

With its elegant mouthfeel and balanced finish, the 12 Year Old showcases the distillery’s refined approach and makes an excellent entry point for both newcomers and seasoned whisky enthusiasts.

Royal Brackla 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking a more profound expression, the 18 Year Old delivers remarkable complexity and depth. Extended sherry cask maturation brings forth layers of dried fruits, dark honey, toasted nuts, and subtle oak spices.

Expect a luxuriously viscous texture, sophisticated balance, and a long, evolving finish with notes of fruitcake, cinnamon, and polished oak – a truly regal dram that honors the distillery’s royal heritage.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

Royal Brackla offers visitors the opportunity to explore its historic grounds and production facilities through guided tours. These experiences provide insight into both the royal heritage and the meticulous production methods that create the distillery’s distinguished single malts.

The tasting experiences typically include several expressions from the core range, allowing visitors to appreciate the evolution of Royal Brackla’s character across different ages and cask influences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Royal Brackla?

Royal Brackla is a historic Highland Scotch whisky distillery with a royal warrant, producing single malt whiskies known for their fruity character, sherried richness, and elegant complexity. It was the first Scotch whisky to receive royal approval, resulting in its distinguished “Royal” designation in 1833.

Where is Royal Brackla located?

The distillery is situated near the village of Cawdor in the northern Highlands of Scotland, just east of Inverness. This location provides the cool, consistent climate that contributes to the steady, balanced maturation of its whiskies.

What characterizes Royal Brackla whisky?

Royal Brackla is particularly known for its fruity, elegant character derived from an unusually long fermentation process. The continued use of worm tub condensers creates a fuller-bodied spirit, while maturation in Oloroso sherry casks imparts rich dried fruit notes and a luxurious mouthfeel. The resulting whiskies are characterized by their sophisticated balance, smooth texture, and complex fruit-forward profile.

Where can I buy whisky from Royal Brackla?

You can find selected bottles from Royal Brackla’s range at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their offerings to bring you the most exceptional expressions from this historic royal distillery, including both core range bottlings and special releases that showcase the distillery’s distinguished character.