Royal Brackla was one of the first legal distilleries in the Highlands. Established in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, Royal Brackla was also the first distillery in Scotland to be awarded a royal warrant from King William IV in 1835. This stamp of approval sealed the deal on the whisky’s reputation and quality, and it was known around the world as ‘The King’s Own Whisky’. In its early days, the distillate was known for its smoky peated flavor. Today’s vintage, however, is unpeated and is a significant component of Dewar’s blends. The majority of Royal Brackla is aged in Sherry casks.
The distillery is located in Cawdor just outside the Speyside region in the southern Highlands. Cawdor is also home to Cawdor Castle and a few miles from the Culloden battlefield. Over the years, ownership changed hands several times and today Royal Brackla is owned by large conglomerate, Bacardi. In recent years, Bacardi has released several age statements of Royal Brackla as a single malt, however independent bottlers continue to turn out alternative age statements and finishes.