Tasting notes by Serge Valentin: 92 points www.whiskyfun.com

At 34 yo this one is probably the older Brora around but that may change in the future.

Colour: pure gold.

Nose: this one is probably more discrete at first nosing, more restrained than all the other ones. It’s also the first one that shows signs of age although it’s very far from being tired (almost 57% at 34 yo is quite a lot anyway). There’s also kind of a maritime freshness mixed with notes of almonds like in the very old Caol Ilas (from the 60’s) but we also have quite some fresh mint right at first nosing as well as notes of iodine, wax, marzipan, linseed oil, maybe hints of turpentine, old apples, wine cellar… Something that reminds me old amontillados (well, I had that only once in my life actually). Oh, and now there’s a little incense, cedar wood, burning herbs (thyme and such)… it gets more and more complex with time… Old books, wax polish, peanut butter… And then we’re back to almonds and walnuts… And mint! Again, just superb.

Mouth: ho-ho, lots of oomph now, with an attack on fresh walnuts, almonds and grape skin plus something camphory and minty again. Goes on with candied lemon, green tea, mastic, argan oil, not too sugared nougat, marzipan… And the kind of superb ‘evolved’ peatiness that you can get in the very old Ardbegs, Caol Ilas or Lagavulins distilled in the 60’s or before, I think. Okay, agreed, enough maltoporn – this one lacked just a little backbone when compared with all the other ones but hey, it’ll still defeat many old Islayers in fact. Head and shoulders. 92 points