Brora 35 years 12th Release Bottled 2013

Brora distillery was built in 1819 by the Marquis of Stafford, but was known as Clynelish distillery. The distillery kept this name until the opening of the new Clynelish distillery. As two distilleries with the same name is not convenient, nor is it allowed, the old Clynelish distillery was renamed the Brora distillery. Between May 1969 and July 1973, heavily peated whisky was produced at Brora to then be supplied for blended whisky. This was done because there was a shortage of heavily-turfed Islay whisky caused by drought in that region and the closure of Caol Ila distillery. (Large-scale renovation) Most whisky produced as Brora after 1973 has a lighter peat character than the whisky of the years before. In early 1983, production at Brora distillery ceased and the distillery is known as closed distillery.

Origin and bottling

This particular Single Malt from the Brora distillery was bottled in the year 2013. The age on the label indicates 35 years, so with a little calculation, we then know that the distillation of this whisky must have been around the year 1976, 1977. The distillery closed in 1983, but fortunately the owner, Diageo, kept many of the casks and bottled them in the Diageo Special Releases series after prolonged maturation. This is the 12th release and 2944 bottles were eventually released.

Cask type

The whisky spent 35 years on a combination of American oak and European oak. The casks used are from the whisky world and have previously held whisky. We are therefore talking about Refill American & European Oak.

Tasting note

Colour

Gold

Nose

35 years of maturation has certainly done something to this whisky. The wood aroma is therefore evident and gives character to the aroma. Full of smokiness and a lovely ashtray nose. Spicy and petrol station, a can of sardines just being opened. Smoky, salty and full of character is how we prefer them. Are there any nicer scents than this?

Taste

The flavour is fat, or waxy if you want to put it more fancy. Full rich flavour where the smoky character again gives a lot of character to this Brora. Spicy, briny and special. These are flavours you rarely come across in today's whiskies. Unique and loved, at least by us.

Finish

The finish is exactly what we expected it to be. Rich and long with the taste of kipper lingering for minutes.

Overall impression

These are the glasses that impress and stay with you for a long time. Expensive, sure, but every sip is enjoyment and that's worth something too.