Buyer beware! This bottle contains one of the finest whiskies known to humanity. This Brora 22 year old was distilled in 1972 and bottled as part of the prestigious Rare Malts Selection from United Distillers in 1995.
Brora is of course sadly no longer with us, but its legacy remains as this has become one of the most collectable malts ever, and no wonder when the WhiskyFun critics awarded this masterpiece a whopping 96 points.
Indeed we’ve already formally tried this utter beauty, but that was eleven years ago. Or a few bottles ago, as they say in Glasgow. Yeah I know, just any excuses… Colour: gold. Nose: you insane brute! What’s really striking at first nosing, is how close to the new 38 this is, it really is almost the same make. I’m starting to wonder if they weren’t making at least two different distillates in 1977, one that was akin to the 1972s, and one that was lighter, for other purposes or clients. Now this 1972 is more massive, more a body-builder, with more fermentary and farmy notes, and certainly more straight peat. Petrol, camphor, Bakelite again, leather… Oh well, it’s brilliant, but we knew that. With water: very troubling, this is almost a younger 38 – or rather, the 38 was an older 22. Ooh my head… This 22 is just a little easier (never thought I would write that one day), and with rather more sweet farmy notes. Crushed almonds, damp hessian, camphor, thymol, wet dogs (dogs, we’re sorry, you know that), and lip balm, perhaps. Poetry in your glass. Mouth (neat): totally huge, sweeter than the new 38 – but that may be the alcohol – and more mustardy, peppery, salty, and simply smoky. But at this strength, it hits you hard, so please, water… With water, at approx 48% vol. for the sake of comparison: same comments, the 1977 may have been distilled under the very same specs as this 1972. Oh and please call the anti-maltoporn brigade NOW. Finish: sadly. Menthol and almonds in the aftertaste. Comments: I’m still in love. SGP:466 - 96 points (unchanged).
Distillery | Brora |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./Released | -/- |
Vintage | 1972 |
Age | 22 |
Bottler | Official Bottling |
Bottling Date | 1995 |
ABV/ Volume | 61.1%/ 70cl |
Rating/SGP | 96/466 |
Cask Number | - |