I had a really nice tasting with friends the other day, and although the focus was a little less on whisky than it would have been three years ago, everyone brought some cracking old stuff. This week I will post my thoughts on five of the most memorable whiskies of that evening (well, except for a few that I had already reviewed like this, this or this).
This Brora 1975 is a bit of an outsider, as it only exists in 20 cl. bottles in this strength. It was part of a Rare Malts box set which also included Caol Ila, Dailuaine, Glendullan and Teaninich.
Brora 20 yo 1975
(60,75%, Rare Malts 1996, 20 cl.)
Brora 20 yo 1975Nose: it has all of the raw Brora elements but it’s also surprisingly rounded. There’s peat, mineral notes and quite some wet dogs, but also sweet fruity notes (pear, a little honey). Even a slightly floral / fragrant touch. Candle wax, some oysters and library dust. Also very nice, soft farmy notes in the background, but not the 1972 sheep stables.
Mouth: peaty and lemony, intense and already very enjoyable, though a bit of water makes it much wider and brings out warm smoke, candied lemon and hints of bergamot. Plenty of wax. A hint of fruit tea. Walnut cake.
Finish: long, still quite sweet, with pepper and salt. Traces of peat.
Really great, complex Brora in my opinion, and I seem to like it even more than some other reviewers. I think the sweet roundness works very well here. Around € 300 in auctions. Thanks, Dominiek!
Score: 92/100