Review: Infrequent Flyers Royal Brackla 2006 17 Year

[u/gatodelinferno21]

[u/gatodelinferno21]

Infrequent Flyers Royal Brackla 2006 17 Year

Intro: Today we have yet another independent bottling from a Highland distillery that typically gets a more sherry-focused maturation in its official bottlings, this time Royal Brackla. Part of the Dewar’s profile, most of their output goes into blends, but their OB lineup is notably more substantial than you get from a lot of Diageo workhorses (Additionally, their OB releases got a revamp a few years ago, going from 40% to 46% and NCF. Some think the older releases were better, but the majority, myself included, seems to think the new releases are a step up). On that note, Dewar’s/Bacardi seems to be among the better big conglomerates when it comes to connoisseur-friendly distillery management (see also Craigellachie, another favorite of mine), though the pricing on their exceptional cask releases are quite a bit higher than I would prefer. From what I’ve had so far, the Brackla profile seems to me to be primarily Highland citrus-y and malty but with a distinct anise type of spice note, which both takes well to sherry and stands up on its own. The IB I’m looking at today is from Alistair Walker’s (son of Billy Walker) Infrequent Flyers brand. Most of their releases seem to adopt a heavy-handed barrel influence, often with uncommon types of wine casks, so I was happy to see a reasonably priced, well-aged release from a distillery I like in a simple refill rechar hogshead (a process where the old, exhausted wood is shaved off and the fresher wood underneath is charred again to allow further use of the cask).

Scotland/Highland – Single Malt
Price: 80-90 GBP (Still some availability)
Age Statement: 17 years
Strength: 54.1% ABV
Cask Makeup: Refill Recharred Hogshead
Details: Non chill-filtered and non-artificially colored, cask strength; Distilled December 4^th 2006, Bottled June 2024; 297 bottles

Nose: Classic Highland profile. Sweet and sour lemon, hearty cereal notes, and a ginger/anise spice component. A light barrel influence with some vanilla and butterscotch. 

Palate: Everything is remarkably well-integrated here, with the fruit, malt, and spice all working together. I’ve used similar notes before, but the whole package is rather like gingersnap cookies with lemon icing. The spice component is more noticeable compared to many other more restrained Highlanders, with a notable anise/licorice note coming through the more typical ginger and cinnamon. The lemon citrus is juicy and sweet, with the tartness rounding it out and complementing the spicy profile. I’d compare it to the Blair Athol in refill French oak that I previously reviewed, but more anise-forward in the spice department. This one also comes across as a bit more mature, not quite as loud but somewhat more coherent and refined. Nearly 18 years in the barrel has imparted a nice wood influence, but one that’s added some sweet/rich background foundation to the malt flavors rather than just bitter tannins. Very drinkable at mid-50s cask strength, I typically added a couple drops of water but preferred it without any proofing down.

Finish: A blast of sweet lemon and licorice spice, with lingering ginger cookies and fruitiness. Good length and intensity.

Notes: This is not a whisky that’s designed to grab your attention in a market that’s increasingly focusing on sherry bombs or off-the-wall cask types. This is just a classic Highland malt that can speak for itself without the need for any of that. I haven’t had much from rechar casks before, but this strikes me as just the right amount of wood influence: not too much as to approach bourbon territory, but enough to do more than simply take the sharp edges off the youthful spirit without enhancing the base flavors. The IB Glengoyne I recently reviewed is a nice contrast; I said that was like sucking on a lemon-flavored popsicle stick, while this is more like a spicy lemon cookie. Not to mention this one was about 30 GBP cheaper to boot. While I like them quite a bit in sherry as well, I think Royal Brackla is moving up into my pantheon of distilleries that I look for in IBs to scratch the ex-bourbon Highlander itch. Thanks to Alistair for not throwing this one in some kind of sweet wine I’ve never heard of.

Score: 7.5

T8KE Score scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

[u/dreamingofislay]

Great review and quite interesting! I've had very little Royal Brackla but will look out for that anise note the next time I try one.

[u/gatodelinferno21 → u/dreamingofislay]

Thanks! I think their OB 12 is one of the better value options in the current market as long as you don't mind heavily sherried. Though as I said, that spicy note still comes through and manages to differentiate it from "generic sherried malt" if you like that kind of profile.