Brora 38 Years Old 1997 48.6%
The Brora distillery was built in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford, although it was known as “Clynelish” until the opening of the Clynelish Distillery in 1968, whereupon the name of the original Clynelish was changed to “Brora”. Between May 1969 and July 1973, Brora produced a heavily peated whisky to supply for blending; this was done to cover a shortage of Islay whisky caused by a drought in that region. Most of the whisky produced as Brora after 1973 is in the lightly peated Highland style.
In early 1983, production at Brora was stopped and the distillery was mothballed.
In early 1983, production at Brora was stopped and the distillery was mothballed.
Nose:Subtle smoke slowly builds with initial oiliness and farmyard character too. Honeyed ash develops with fresh lemon peels.
Palate:Smoke is established now, offering a nutty edge, but doesn’t take over, instead the evocative citrus becomes the star of the show. Lemon peel (think fresh from a canelle cutter) moving toward grapefruit on the late palate. First class.
Finish:Hints of the coast now, with more grapefruit combining with sea salt and lingering spice.
