hs305 scored this whisky 92 points 
[March, 2019] The 1977 vintage of Brora marks a turning point in the history of this fine distillery. Up to that time Brora produced heavily peated malt while from 1978 onwards the peating levels were contantly reduced to the "usual" low Clynelish level. So I always check the 1977 releases if I can find any sign this process already started...
...and again I found no hint of that! This is simply a complex and adorable old Brora of the finest kind that is both very interesting to explore and dangerously quaffable. Hopefully Diageo goes for this profile with the revamped Brora distillery (or even better: vintage 1972!)...
...and again I found no hint of that! This is simply a complex and adorable old Brora of the finest kind that is both very interesting to explore and dangerously quaffable. Hopefully Diageo goes for this profile with the revamped Brora distillery (or even better: vintage 1972!)...
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The colour is amber and the nose offers the old traditional Brora profile with heavy "dirty" peat aromas. Ooh, how I love this! This is like a walk through the wet summer North Scottish countryside with aromas of freshly cut peat, heather, old byres, sheep dip on the meadows and a distant bonfire. Later shy fruity, honey and autumn floral aromas join in as do waxy and engine oily notes. And many more, find out!
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The taste is multi-layered on all these fine flavours of the nose plus an interesting salty-maritime touch that I like. Upon chewing it turns sweeter and the smoke gets colder (drying) while a fine earthiness developing. Later waxes and honeys join in. Water unlocks more aromas in the nose and turns the taste sweeter with more waxy-earthy flavours. I like this dram both neat and reduced to about 46% abv.
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The dram arrives warming on the palate and instantly coats the whole of the mouth. There is a minor astringent feeling of cold metals that I rather like in this setting. The finish is long and adds more fruity flavours that are delicious and it is without any distracting moments.
