Whisky Review/Tasting: Brora 37 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Brora Distillery, Sutherland coast, north of Inverness, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation Year: 1977, six years before the distillery closed.
Maturation: Matured in refill American oak hogsheads previously used for bourbon, then for another whisky before this Brora. The casks are 20% larger than standard barrels.
Age Statement: 37 years.
Color: Deep yellow gold.
Bottle Design: Part of a limited series, with packaging familiar to those who know Brora. The bottle is individually numbered, with 2,976 bottles worldwide.

Peatiness: Very faint, around 5 to 7 ppm.
Primary Flavors: Cocoa, caramel, cherry fruit, marzipan, sea salt, sultana cake, scented candle wax, dry fragrant herbs.
Balance: Smooth and well-balanced, with a progression from sweet to spicy and mouth-drying, finishing with a deeply warming and spicy profile.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky is described as if a chocolatier made a malt, highlighting its rich cocoa and confectionery notes.

Distillery History: Brora, formerly known as Clynelish, closed in 1983. It has a rich history, including a transition to electricity in 1960 which reduced the reliance on peat.
Production Process: The distillery utilized gravity for its production process, with materials delivered by ship or horse freight, and warehouses located at the bottom of the distillery.
Anecdotes: The reviewer, Horst Luening, shares a personal story of visiting the distillery 20 years ago and peeking through a gap in the doors to see the old stills.

Geographical Location: Brora is located on the Sutherland coast, which is significant for its remote and rugged landscape, contributing to the distillery's unique character.
Historical Context: The distillery's closure in 1983 and the limited releases from its remaining stocks add to the whisky's rarity and desirability among collectors and enthusiasts.

Brora 37 years is a rare and highly sought-after single malt Scotch whisky, distilled in 1977 and matured in refill American oak hogsheads.
It features a complex flavor profile with a balance of cocoa, caramel, fruit, and sea salt notes, with a very faint smokiness.
The whisky is part of a limited series, with only 2,976 bottles available worldwide, making it a collector's item.
The distillery's history, including its closure and the unique production process, adds to the whisky's allure.
Expert opinions praise the whisky as one of the best special releases from Diageo in 2015.

Whisky Collectors: Due to its rarity and limited availability, collectors would highly value this bottle.
Connoisseurs of Aged Whisky: Individuals with a preference for well-aged, complex whiskies would appreciate the depth and balance of flavors.
Fans of Low-Peat Scotch: Those who enjoy Scotch with minimal peatiness but rich in other flavors would find this whisky particularly enjoyable.