Royal Brackla 1924

Appearance: Mahogany and maple syrup, minor legs and appears quite viscous.

Nose: Intense and full bodied but it feels shy of 40% ABV, maple syrup, honey, toffee, cream, almond and hazelnut, butterscotch, raisin, black currant, red wine, old (probably very old) cognac with rancio, ripe apple, a whiff of paint thinners, rum cake, a cola note, balsamico, an old mysterious mansion – dusty, chalky, old books and furniture; cigar humidor and pipe tobacco ash, bitter dark chocolate, star anise, clove, berry-liquorice notes reminiscent of cough medicine, eucalyptus, something vegetal, wet stones, a well-tempered sherry cask on full show with all the hallmarks of OBE and glass maturation (done well). It is very complex and there is a feeling of the passage of time one gets when savouring something like this.

Mouth: Oily but slightly thin on the palate, honey, rich and layered on old cognac, cola, red wine, dense old oak in the form of a dusty Victorian chest, bitter cocoa, loads of balsamico and spice, black currant, tobacco, liquorice, prune.

Finish: Medium to long and warming like a hearth, lingering and somewhat astringent notes of bitter cocoa, oak, almond and star anise, ending a bit dry but pleasantly.

Second tasting: Much the same, but a couple of new aromas including blackberry jam, a bar of caramel soap, a hint of burnt rubber and petroleum. On the palate it’s as decadent and regal as I remember, less the aniseed notes from the last time. Still very oily and fruity with wood, tobacco and dark brooding tones aplenty. It’s notched up to 94 points now.