Royal Brackla 2014 - 10 Year Old

Bottled by Signatory Vintage in small batches, this spirit undergoes no chill filtration or artificial coloring. It's a rich, herbal, sherry whisky; complex, intriguing, and quite pleasant. Unbelievable it's only 10 years old. Matured in first-fill Pedro Ximenez sherry hogsheads, this 10-year-old Royal Brackla offers a deep, sherried character. Scents of dried figs, dark toffee, and nutmeg precede a palate with rich fruitcake, caramelized nuts, and a hint of spice. The finish is lengthy, featuring lingering sweetness and warming oak spice. Nose - Honeysuckle tea, salted dried yellow fruits, honey, sticky rice, a metallic note, a faint grassy peat sensation, a flicker of incense. Taste - Salted licorice candy, grape hard candy, floral honey, tea-like, silky smooth, light-to-medium body, very easy to consume, followed by a light herbal spicy smoke. Despite its youth, many details are present. Finish - Medium long, sweet and herbal, dried fruits, mint chocolate, a vague saltiness interwoven with sweetness, a slight return of the metallic sensation, a touch of bitterness at the conclusion. Once again, this is a spirit offering great value. Signatory is currently releasing some absolutely stunning whiskies at higher proofs and without chill filtration or artificial coloring. I believe they truly grasp the current market. As an enthusiastic whisky lover, I resent paying top dollar for standard products that are 40% ABV, chill-filtered, and colored. In fact, I won't purchase them anymore. It's so pleasing to try some of these absolutely fabulous distilleries' productions as they should be (in my humble opinion), without corporations extracting every last penny, generally to the detriment of the spirit. This is the finest Royal Brackla I've encountered, and it's considerably less expensive than others I've tried. Excellent whisky, well worth the price.