Royal Brackla 2001/2009 Gordon & MacPhail:

Shape matters, especially when it comes to the glass you’re using while enjoying your daily dram or scribbling notes down like me. Today's review is a bit different, as part of a little experiment, I’ll try to explain in my own words, how much different the experience is between using a regular tumbler or a tulip-shaped Glencairn.

One would expect that adopting another glass would only benefit the nose. But let's observe what happens if we acquaint ourselves with today’s victim, a Royal Brackla from the Connoisseurs Choice range of Gordon&MacPhail, in two different ways.

Description: Distilled back in 1991,matured in a refill sherry cask and bottled at 46%.

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With tumbler:

Nose: a faint impression of wine vinegar with an overabundance of caramelised hazelnut

Mouth: light bodied and peppery, I would like to come up with some witty notes but in essence it tastes like it smells: nutty and caramelised.

Finish: short but satisfying, with fading sugary notes.

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With Glencairn glass:

Nose: now a abundant sherried nose reveals itself, main notes still consist of toffee, caramel crumble and hazelnut. But new aromas can be found as well adding more depth to the profile: citrusy elements, a delicate perfume of Lilly-of-the Valley and with a fresh pine resin on the edge.

Mouth: a light bodied whisky with a nutty profile. Once more the palate is coated with a layer of caramelised hazelnuts. Only now slightly sourer, more mineral, with some metallic elements (copper) traces of rubber and a touch of smoke.

Finish: rather short but satisfying, slightly peppery on delivery with notes of hazelnut and chocolate

The Verdict: Human taste or the mere perception of taste is something complex. By improving one of the parameters, in essence the composition as a whole is enhanced. So one of the most essential parts of the sampling ritual is your choice of glass.

Now for the whisky itself. It is a decent Royal Brackla with a typical caramel profile. A light enjoyable everyday dram, that would probably taste great with a bit of ice cream.

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