Brora 12th Release 35 Years Old 1977 (49.9%, OB, Special releases, 2944 Bottles, 2013)

• 49.9% ABV
• £899
• Score: 88/100

What they say:

The 12th release of Brora from Diageo’s Annual Special Releases, this was distilled in 1977 and has been bottled at 35 years of age. This is a mix of refill American Oak and European Oak casks and is a return to the much loved, earthier character of earlier releases. 2944 bottles released

What I say:

Following our recent visit to Brora distillery during the Edinburgh University Water of Life Society highland trip, one of our party felt it was only right that we should sample some of this famed malt. Available for a mere £30 per dram at the distillery shop – a massive thanks to Simeon for the sample.

Colour:

Light amber gold

Nose:

Gentle citrusy lemon, puff pastry, sweet toffee, butterscotch, oak wood, beeswax, polished antique furniture

Taste:

Sweet toffee, vanilla fudge with rum hints, Demerara sugar, gentle earthiness or soot, herbal oak wood with a gentle allspice or winter spices, clove perhaps, hints of seared pineapple with black pepper

Finish:

Long, mouth-coating, dry and slightly waxy (beeswax again) and tropical fruit salad

Overall:

Incredibly drinkable, almost too drinkable considering the price! Maybe not the most complex of malts but it has some pretty well-developed mature flavours wisping around in this, teasing you to seek them out. We should have made it a double!