Brora 1972 / 1996 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 40% vs Brora 24 yo 1977 / 2001 Rare Malts 56.1% vs Brora 19 yo 1982 / 2001 Chieftains #1189/1192 46%
Brora 1972 / 1996 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 40%
Even diluted the power of Brora comes though with a stately magnificence. Monolithic peat, clean farmy notes. Hot tar, oozing machine grime, soot everywhere. Truly emotive. Obviously this cannot be compared to the 30 yo special releases or the Rare Malts, but if you know those whiskies, know that this one has one and the same soul. Heavy black smoke, antiseptic, reams of raw coal, stacks of defective newspaper where the print ink has run through everything, and seadweed-y salt. Just somewhat muzzled by the abv. 91 pts
Brora 24 yo 1977 / 2001 Rare Malts 56.1%
Many similarities with a 1976 SMWS I had earlier. Much less peaty than the 1972s, and yet not without heaviness and depth. Old resins reeking of turpenes, ancient polished waxes, thick mineral oil, dried moss, dried bark strips, pencil lead rubbings, clean coal, a light and piercing sort of camphorated medical ointment as opposed to pungent muscle rubs, old earth in dusty clay pots, thick coagulated machine grease, sphagnum moss. Phew. That’s enough. Parts of this whisky seems very informed by my beloved 12 yo Edwards, and that’s fantastic. 92 pts
Brora 19 yo 1982 / 2001 Chieftains #1189/1192 46%
Unburnt charcoal and black tinctures of medical herbs. Sugary amaro, anise and liquorice candy, black tea and black plums preserve on dark ryebread. Burnt things here and there. Also a fair amount of spicy oak and that brings a load of tannins. So it’s a very fine example of old style sherry- rich but dry, darkly aromatic, and full of nuances, but all the same I can’t tell you about the Brora here. 88 pts
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- Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 61.1% vs Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 58.7%
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- Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% vs Bowmore 17 yo 2004 /2021 SMWS 3.327 ‘Siren’s Song’ 57.1%
- Talisker 25 yo ‘Bottle TA25 3987’ 45.8% ~ bottle code L0296CM004 bottled 2020 vs Ledaig 11 yo 2008 / 2019 The Swan Song & 1BRD #700104 58.7%
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