This is the third release of the legendary Brora 30 Year Old. They’re all excellent but this 2004 edition is considered the best (together with the 2005 and 2007 edition). After that the profile started to change with more late 1970s casks involved, closer to Clynelish in a way with less of the farmy notes. No need for a longer introduction, I guess.
Brora 30 yo
(56,6%, OB 2004, 3rd release, 3000 btl.)
Brora 30 yoNose: goat stables and hay. This farminess is pretty unique to these first few Brora releases and so nice. Subtle peat and coastal notes. Wet dogs. A little charcoal. Then some greasy / buttery notes, wax candles, oily garage aromas. Soft orchard fruit sweetness underneath. All in all fairly gentle, but very complex.
Mouth: firmer now but still very oily and creamy, with briney smoke, distant sweetness and a little citrus. Iodine notes, hints of black tea and cocoa. Pepper and herbs. Whiffs of tar.
Finish: very long, smoked lemons, tar, crushed peppercorns and oily notes.
Early 1970s Brora, you can’t beat that. Very hard to find these days, but it’s worth it. I adore the 2007 as well but this is a notch above. Auction material, expect to pay around € 1500-2000 (check TWE for the 2005 edition).
Score: 95/100