54,7°
Distillery : Brora - Highlands
Refill American Bourbon and European Sherry Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2011
Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength
In 2011, Brora is starting to become very well known and appreciated. This 10th Release was launched at a price of £300, no mean feat, especially at the time. It was the oldest Brora ever released, but that record was broken the following year with the 11th Release. The Whisky Exchange website reports that colourings were added to the blend, which was not uncommon. On the other hand, other less renowned sites deny this, so nothing is certain, but I take the word of one of the best sales sites in the world. The peat content is not mentioned either. In 1978, Brora was no longer as heavily peated as it had been at the beginning of the decade, but rather between 20 and 30 ppm, more or less. 1500 bottles went on sale.
Let's Taste It :
This time the nose is much more farmy, dry hay, dried vanilla, banana, lemon concentrate and apple compote. Freshly cut wheat. Chantilly cream, milk shake. Beyond that, it's deep, earthy, dark and slightly biscuity. A little salty iodine. The peat is very country-like, almost cheesy. It adds depth. On the palate, apricot juice, and straightaway very strong spices, cumin, white pepper, nutmeg, ginger. Coarse sea salt. Crunchy biscuit. Explosive finish at first, then very long, chestnuts, porridge, puffed rice, crisps, tobacco juice. Liquorice, cola, cereals, semi-salted buttered toasts, Brittany shortbread. Soft caramel.
In Short,
As impressive as the first 30-year-old version was, this one seemed smoother to me, but very well balanced. It's less sweet and more farmy. I don't think it's very close to Clynelish; it reminds me more of Longrow, with less peat. I didn't smell the wax, but I have to say that there was a Iot of things, so I must have missed it. It's an incredible whisky, with such a crazy price tag that it detracts from the pleasure of drinking it. You think you're tasting a jewel, when in fact it's quite rustic.
Score : 92
To Be Listened While Sipping :
The Whistlin' Donkeys - The Town I Loved so Well
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