Royal Brackla 18 years 1997 Cadenhead's One of 402 - bottled 2016 Small Batch (Brown)

Scotland, Northern Highlands. Distillery operational. Owner: BacardiDespite its exceptional pedigree, Royal Brackla is and always has been a blender's malt. And yet, few distillers can lay claim to such a heritage. Founded in 1812, King William IV granted it the “Royal” epitaph in 1835, making it the first distillery to receive the distinction. During the Second World War, it housed the Royal Air Force Air Gunnery School and became an alternative landing strip. Having been the property of John Bisset & Co since 1926, it then joined the Distillers Company Ltd in 1943 (the future United Distillers). In addition to playing a key role in the blends Bisset, Johnnie Walker and Dewars, in the 1990s it was given a special place in the Rare Malts Selection and Flora & Fauna ranges. Nonetheless, it was primarily saved from oblivion by two exceptional editions, the Royal Brackla 1924, 60 Year Old, limited to 62 bottles worldwide, which was bottled to mark the reopening of the distillery in 1991; and a decanter from the same year produced in 60 editions for the Japanese market.

A small batch of Royal Brackla distilled in 1997, aged in bourbon casks and bottled in 2016. Cadenhead was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 402 bottles.