Brora 37 yo 2016 Special Release 48.6% vs Brora 37 yo 2015 Special Release 50.4%
Brora 38 yo 1977 / 2016 Special Release 48.6%
Early 70s Broras are known to be peated powerhouses more so than late period Broras, but this is a 1977, and yet the power of the peat is undeniable, if admittedly tempered by sheer age.
This is a joy to nose. Powdered sea shells, and muddy fields full of organics of vegetal and animal origin. Dried up roots torn from the ground and left to rot. It’s not dirty in the way you expect 72 Brora to be, but how the stratified earthiness sinks into sullen black depths. Wooden boats aground at low tide, rock pools and old seaweed – so much going on- salty nets, vegemite, liquorice sticks, chest rubs, medicinal clove and tobacco smoke, bit of herbal liqueur. Unassailable. A perfect knife edge balance. 92 pts.
Brora 37 yo 1977 / 2015 Special Release 50.4%
In truth we are very close, take the 2016, but infuse with a slurry of hot mineral sludge and crusted salt. Along with coastal aspects and pungent smoke rather than the oozing mud of the 2016. Sparking flints on tinder. But how fine can we split hairs, we are very close really. Herb bush on fire, and more brine. So this one turns out to be more immediate with a greater forestage presence, but less earthy and less of that festering depth of the 2016, which makes it seem less ‘considered’, but similarly excellent. Iconic. 91 pts.
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