Royal Brackla

Honeyed malt, baked apple, and a little hit of orange peel, this 12-year-old single malt is the kind of Speyside-ish sipper that makes you pay attention without needing a textbook. It’s got a gentle spice build (think cinnamon and toasted nuts) and a tidy, oak-forward finish that plays well in a proper Whisky Sour. Royal Brackla’s got serious pedigree too, it was one of the first Scotch distilleries to get a Royal Warrant.