ROYAL BRACKLA 1979-2002 22yo DOUGLAS LAING Old Malt Cask 50%

There is a slightly unusual and intriguing character within the plain aroma, which I found very interesting. ROYAL BRACKLA 1979-2002 22yo DOUGLAS LAING Old Malt Cask 50%, one of 720 bottles The aroma has a rustic barley note, faint citrus and plant-like qualities, diluted honey, and a plain cask character. When drinking, it starts with a soft mouthfeel, then gradually reveals spicy notes, a barley sensation that lingers on the tongue with its umami, slightly pickled plant-like qualities, a pleasant sweetness, and a somewhat strong acidity. The finish is not very long. [Good, Interesting] This is a ROYAL BRACKLA 1979, aged for 22 years from DOUGLAS LAING's OMC collection. What stood out was a peculiar, pickled plant-like quality that I had never experienced from this distillery, which seemed to emerge more from bottle aging rather than the original spirit. However, overall, the cask influence was minimal, giving it a plain impression. In its place, there was a strong rustic malt character, with faint honey-like aromas and sweetness, as well as a stronger acidity. While this is a Highland-style malt that clearly has its own character, the final result felt somewhat unconventional.