Part of the Last Great Malts series, the Royal Brackla 16 Years is finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. It sits in between the Royal Brackla 12 Years and Royal Brackla 21 Years.
Royal Brackla 16 yo
(40%, OB 2015)
Nose: a nicely subdued waxy / fruity style, with plenty of apricots, mashed bananas and golden apples. Slowly becoming grassier (warm hay and dried flowers actually). Hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Seems older than it is.
Mouth: quite soft but oily, with dusty grains and almonds. Orange oil and cinnamon. Showing soft herbal notes without the dryness that sometimes comes with them. Light tobacco. Some burnt sugar. Just a bit of wood shavings in the end.
Finish: medium long, on vanilla, baking spices and mellow oak. Fades on black tea.
This is a very good dram with a few nicely old-fashioned touches. A few extra degrees would have been welcome to make these unique elements stand out, but overall a nice bottling. Around € 90.
Score: 87/100