If you are a Scotch drinker or want to learn more about it, then this article is for you. A night at The Aviary with Royal Brackla Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky turned in to an evening of incredible food, inventive scotch cocktails, an education on Scotch and lots of laughter among friends both new and old.
Our evening was comprised of those with varying levels of expertise when it comes to single malt Scotch. We talked about the spirit’s history, how it is produced, brands, recipes and of course, flavor. As I continue to improve my knowledge about Scotch Whisky, I thought I would share some of my takeaways.
- Royal Brackla distillery is a Highland Scotch whisky distillery on the Cawdor Estate, near Nairn in Scotland. The distillery is operated by John Dewar & Sons Ltd for Bacardi.
- Royal Brackla was the first Scotch whisky ever granted a Royal Warrant by King William IV in 1833.
- In October 2019, Dewar’s unveiled plans for a revamped Royal Brackla range, comprising 12-, 18- and 21-year-old expressions, bottled at a higher strength of 46% ABV and WITHOUT caramel coloring.
When it comes to understanding the true depth of the flavors, what better way to do that then sampling each of the aged Royal Brackla bottles?! It is a definitive way to learn the impact of the aging process on the spirit in each whisky glass.
Royal Brackla 12: Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. Full bodied spice of Oloroso and the bright summer breeze of Royal Brackla. It is smooth and inviting with an essence of ripe peaches, black cherries, chocolate covered almonds and brown sugar.
Royal Brackla 18: Finished in Palo Cortado Casks. Enticing and complex. Rich spices, creamy vanilla, succulent soft fruits and cocoa powder with a zing of zesty citrus.
Royal Brackla 21: A combination of Oloroso, Palo Cortado & Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks. Regal and assured. Toffee, digestive biscuit, rich summer berries and cinnamon notes.
Our evening took place at The Aviary, an inventive cocktail bar that is a part of award winning, The Alinea Group. The Aviary’s menu was creative, flavorful and beautifully presented. Service by Ian Squires, Aviary Floor Manager and Micah Melton, Beverage Director at The Alinea Group, started with a Champagne Cocktail made with Royal Brackla 18 and infused with various flavors of orange.
It’s all about the details at The Aviary. As you read the menu, you will notice the uniqueness of some of the ingredients, the innovativeness of the recipe itself and of course, the presentation.
Our next drink was a work of art. Literally. The Passion of the Ice. Watch the video to see the magic that happens live.
We had an incredible dinner at The Aviary. Each course was paired with Royal Brackla Scotch whisky aged 12, 18 or 21 years. Note that guests chose either Wagyu or Crispy Tempeh for their main course.
Custom Tasting Menu
Royal Brackla Highland Single Malt Scotch is slowly moving in to restaurants and retailers in the United States. To learn more about the brand and availability, please visit here.
