Code
Distillery
Royal Brackla
Name
The Stage Is Set
Producer
SMWS
Region
Highland
Age
16 years
ABV
56.3%
Bottler Type
Independent
Category
Scotch
Flavor Profile
Spicy & Dry
The whisky opens with earthy, woody notes reminiscent of a sun-warmed sherry bodega, with subtle hints of mushroom and aged oak.
It delivers an umami-forward character with savory notes of sautéed broccoli rabe, garlic, and olive oil, finished with a subtle spice from chilli flakes.
The finish carries warm, complex notes of grilled marmalade and pastrami spice, a result of the marriage of two casks at 13 years of age in oak.
We felt the need to set the scene, following a hot summer’s day in Jerez, the sun about to set but the heat would not let up. We entered a sherry bodega, and a light, cooling breeze carried the scent of earth, wood, mushrooms and maturing sherry. On the palate, sautéed broccoli rabe with garlic, olive oil and chilli flakes gave it a punch of umami. Following reduction, we moved into a wine cellar with our lit pewter chamber candlesticks to enjoy grilled marmalade sandwiches and pastrami on rye bread. At 13 years of age, we combined two casks from the same distillery into this cask for further maturation and marrying.