Whisky: Brora 35 Year (1978), 2014 Special Release

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 48.6%

Cask: Refill American & European Oak

Age: 35 Years (Distilled 1978, Bottled 2014)

Nose: Resin and an autumn’s worth of dried vegetation and leaves, distant chimney smoke or burning piles of leaves, orange rinds and musty barrels of straw-packed apples; watch oil and minerals further in.

Palate: Medium-bodied and resinous, waxy citrus rinds and peppercorns, a touch of licorice and sun-dried vanilla bean over charred wood, fallen autumn leaves, straw and apples, more wax and earth— almost petrichor at times— near the end.

Finish: Long and lingering with resin, citrus rind, and earth.

Score: 8 (89)

Mental Image: Autumn Recollections

Narrative & Notes: Autumn vibrations all around with dried vegetation, woody resins, fallen leaves, and distant chimney smoke. Piles of burning fallen foliage— not the recommended way to clear a lawn— arrived with charred orange rind and musty barrels of straw-packed apples. Hints of something more industrial or a stuffy old garage appeared with minerals and watch oil. Medium-bodied and resinous, with orchard fruits, apple fritter donuts, waxy citrus rinds, and cracked peppercorns.  Further in, I encountered a touch of licorice alongside the fermented quality of sun-dried vanilla beans. Autumn was not displaced on the palate, though it took longer to coalesce with charred wood, fallen leaves, straw, apple barrels, wax fruity skins, and then the earthy sweetness of petrichor.  The finish was very long and lingered with resin, citrus rind, and earth.

Fantastic whisky— anyone indulging in Scotch will no doubt eventually hear tale of the lost, and recently reborn, Brora Distillery (originally called Clynelish before its identity was stolen). It is an unmistakeable part of the whisky zeitgeist since the 2000s and one of the most beloved lost distilleries. I know there are a lot of curious fans out there waiting to find out how the reopened distillery will fair, though by all accounts it may be a good long wait.

I saved this sample for a special occasion and it lived up to the moment, though it was even better a few months later when I returned to it. I would not say it is worth the asking price for these bottles— or for most Brora at that rate— but it is wonderfully characterful and distinct whisky. It is not hard to see why so many fall in love with the distillery.

Overall, wonderful stuff.

Image Credit: Scotch & Sheen, check out his fabulous review through the link.