Brora 20 Year Old Rare Malts 1982

Bottled April 2003. A much sought after malt from the lost Highland distillery. Limited release numbered bottle. Brora Brora Distillery is situated in the north east of Scotland close to the Sutherland coast on the edge of Brora. Established in 1819 as Clynelish Distillery by the Marquis of Sutherland to produce fine Highland malt whisky and re-named Brora Distillery in 1975. Brora Distillery is an iconic Scottish malt distillery with a round red brick chimney, malt kiln with pagoda roof, a bellcote topped with a gilded weather cock, two big wooden worm tubs, miniscule gauger’s house, two wee copper stills and wonderful old dunnage warehouses. Brora Distillery closed in 1983 and is unlikely to re-open and so is a lost Scottish malt whisky distillery. Nose: Green plants. Sea kale? Sea air. Astonishingly fresh. A light oily note is joined by ghostly dried and over-ripe fruits (apple, apricot) and a thread of smoke as the whisky warms. With water the nose becomes sweeter, but remains oily (old waxed jackets); the smoky note becomes slightly more herbal (dried sage). Palate: Distinctively lean, firm, malt background. Becoming grainy, sandy, salty and dry. Pleasant and very sweet, with good acidity, when tasted straight. With water, the mouth-feel is smooth and oily, the primary tastes in balance (even a trace of salt). Becomes sweeter, with hard, buttery toffee.