The First Editions - Royal Brackla 15y, 2007, 56.6%, 162b

One of 4 "Royal" distilleries from Scotland.

Matured in an ex-bourbon barrel. This 15 year old whisky was first distilled in 2007, bottled in 2022, at 56.6% abv.

You can expect some flavour notes from this whisky: pears, toffee, apricots, caramel, vanilla, and red berries. Finishing with a peppery oaky note.

The First Editions is a series of whiskies by Hunter Laing, an independent bottling company. They have sourced a single barrel of whisky from Royal Brackla distillery and have matured it in their own private warehouse somewhere in Scotland. The distillery itself is from the Highlands. This is an example of an "I.B." whisky which the company does not own the distillery. IB whiskies are usually bottled from a single cask, at cask strength.

This particular cask of whisky is from an ex-bourbon barrel, meaning the distilled spirit has been maturing in a barrel that was used to mature bourbon whiskey from the USA. with an outturn of 162 bottles only. IB whiskies and cask strength bottlings in general tend to have a richer, more robust, bold flavours that grace the palate. This is due to the fact that this whisky has not had water added to it. Many big branded whiskies will add a lot of water to their standard bottlings to 40-43% ABV, reducing the alcoholic intensity but also dilutes the flavour significantly. 

If you like rich & bold flavours that lasts a long while. Give this (and other IB whiskies) a go!