Today’s treat is an old Brora from Gordon & McPhail; though these old releases were bottled at very low proof, many of them are still lively and rich. It is a bit of a gamble though, and you can never be sure how much the old bottle effect may have muted or changed some the profile; especially as the whisky sat in the glass for three decades. I took my chances here though, it is not often I get to try Brora and this was the oldest vintage I have been fortunate enough to taste.

---

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 40%

Cask: Oak

Age: 23 Years (Distilled 1972, Bottled 1995)

Notes: The aroma was soft with charred pineapple and hints of grill smoke over dusty park picnic tables and wafts barn or petting zoo. Dried grass and earth, like hiking through the prairie, lingered with charred herbs and dirty grill tops. Light-bodied with a touch of the old bottle effect casting a sepia-tone over the flavor profile which still offered up a healthy dose of charred pineapple, dry grass, fallen autumn leaves, and earth. The flavors clarified with time as crisp tropical citrus turned toward Korean pears and more dirty grill grates arrived with salty caramelized shoyu and hints of well-trodden pastureland. The finish was medium-length with a touch of dusty apple and pasture.

---

Score: 8 (89)

Mental Image: Luʻau at the Prairie Reserve

Conclusion: This was my first experience with the farmier and dirtier profile of Brora that people celebrate and seek out.  Now, I have not had many Brora, because few working in academia can afford to chase them down at this point in time, especially some of these older ones, but this was lovely and showcased a very different style than the more orchard fruit or waxy profiles I encountered previously. 

Overall, I wish the mouthfeel were weightier and the proof higher so that some of the flavors were more intense, but the whisky was delightful and a perfect first pour for 2025 and a wonderful one to return to at the twilight of 2025.