Sometimes a bottle comes along that makes you do a double-take at the price tag, and the Royal Brackla 25 Year Old is exactly that. I am Rob from Whiskey in the Six, and I want to walk you through why this particular release has landed squarely in what I like to call the money zone.
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When people in Alberta were picking these up for as low as $165, and BSW had them on sale near the end for around $265, I knew something remarkable was happening. To put that in perspective, you cannot touch this bottle in the UK or Europe for less than roughly £500, and I have seen it climb as high as £700. That is nearly $1,400 Canadian. So for sub $300, this is an absolute steal.
The presentation alone sets the tone. Bottled at 46%, non-chill-filtered, with no added colour, this is a whisky that carries itself with confidence. It is finished in Pedro Ximénez casks, and the deep colour tells you it has spent serious time in there.
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There is a nice piece of history right on the label too, since Royal Brackla was granted the first royal warrant by King William IV in 1833, earning its title as the king’s own whisky. That heritage feels earned once you get your nose into the glass.
And what a nose it is. I get red fruit, dried figs, honeyed almonds and walnuts, a touch of chocolate, and fresh cherries lingering at the back end. Honestly, it is beautiful. The palate delivers too, opening up with a rich PX-driven finish that builds the longer it sits.
Early on it simply drinks like a well-aged Scotch, with great viscosity and effortless drinkability, but then those subtle tea notes creep in on the finish. I am not sure whether to credit the PX cask or the sheer 25 years behind it, but the result is excellent.
When I first opened this bottle, I was a little concerned and thought the price made sense, but it has climbed significantly since then. It started around an 86 for me, and it has now settled at an 89, with real potential to reach a 90 as it continues to develop. Considering the average 25-year-old runs about $700, this is arguably the best value in aged Scotch on shelves today. Good on Alberta for landing these.
What is the best age statement bargain you have ever stumbled across?
To see my full tasting of the whisky, check out my YouTube video.
Read the full article at Why the Royal Brackla 25 Is the Best Bang for Your Buck in Aged Scotch Right Now
