Brora 25 Year Old 1982 7th Release

The last dram in my little Clynelish & Brora line-up is this 7th release from 2008. It contains a 25 Year Old Brora, a bottle that nowadays will set you back around 400 EUR. Ouch! It is a mix of both sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 56,3% ABV.

The nose is very fruity (think pears, apples and nectarines), but also beautifully, albeit softly, peated. A bit farmy, which becomes louder as we go along. Honey and nuts. A salty edge. A whole lot more subtle than the 30 Year Old from 2007, which I find absolutely stunning. That one was brute and powerful, while this one smells elegant and graceful. From the spice rack, I remember ginger and cloves and a tiny bit of mint. Very complex. Develops wonderfully in the glass. It goes from fruity to grassy (hay) and back. Nice! Adding water makes it lose some of its subtlety and become more austere like the 30 Year Old.

The attack is powerful and spicy and somewhat dry. But fruity from the start. Think green apples and lime. Mustard seeds which I often get in Brora (and some Clynelish as well) and ginger. Mighty smoky now. Mint, liquorice and walnuts. This is grand. Perfectly quaffable without water, but it pays to add a few drops. A great minerality emerges then.

The long finish has a salty edge with quite some smoke.

Once you have tasted the likes of this, you will understand why Brora is so loved. This is pure Enjoyment with capital E. Thanks, Kris.

Find where to buy Brora whisky