Brora 38-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

I’m a fan of Clynelish, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to review a whisky from sister distillery, Brora.  Sadly, Brora no longer exists, and hasn’t for quite a while.  The history of the two distilleries is interesting, and I’ll explore that history when I get around to reviewing Clynelish on this blog.  In the meantime we have Brora 38-year-old, the oldest ever released in this series.  This bottling was distilled in 1977 and selected from refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts.  Brora 38 is bottled at a cask strength of 48.6% abv and available at a retail price of $2,200.  There is so little of this whisky to go around.  Press materials paint a scary picture:

“Fifteenth of a limited series of annual releases, annual allocation has extended availability of this irreplaceable malt but stocks are now depleted.”

Stocks are now depleted? Does this mean this is the last release of Brora?  No, but I don’t see many more releases.  How’s the whisky?  I’m happy to report it is exquisite!

The nose starts with candied apples and a light smokiness, with hints of brine, burnt orange peel, and forest floor. The palate bursts with alluring hints of slightly overripe orchard fruits, sea salt-covered caramel, oak spice and a touch of umami in the form of sauteed mushrooms. Meanwhile, a gentle smoke builds in the background. The finish is long and bittersweet, with hints of burnt sugar, spice and smoke.

Brora 38 is rare, expensive, and elegant. Worth every penny of the asking price. My favorite of the bunch.  9.75/10 (yes, this matches my highest ever rating only awarded to the recent Lagavulin 25)

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cragganmore Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

The only whisky in this year’s collection without an age statement, Cragganmore is a vatting of three cask types “chosen for flavor alone,” according to press materials.  They include both refill & rejuvenated American Oak hogsheads and ex-bodega European Oak butts.  Like the rest of the collection, Cragganmore is bottled at cask strength, or 55.7% abv in this case and retails for $600.  This marks the Speyside distillery’s sixth appearance in the Special Releases series.  How is it?

The nose has a fresh citrus quality, almost like freshly sliced tangerines. Hints of graham cracker, cinnamon sticks, honey and mint ice cream help round out the aromas. The palate starts sweet and quickly turns dry. Honey and spice cake at first. The citrus from the nose is also here, as well as light touch of brine. Things turn when chardonnay develops mid-palate, along with a touch of herbs. Oak tannins take hold going into the finish, as honey and herbs emerge. 

Cragganmore is a nicely crafted NAS whisky, but I just wasn’t blown away by it. 7/10

Cambus 40-Year-Old Single Grain Whisky (2016) Review

The only single grain whisky in this year’s Diageo Special Releases, Cambus 40-year is truly a rarity.  The Lowland distillery has been closed for years, so we don’t get to see its whiskies a lot.  Something else to consider – Cambus 40 is only thr third single grain release since the Special Releases collection started.  This particular bottling was distilled in 1975 and matured in refill American oak hogsheads.  It is presented at a cask strength of 52.7% and retails for $1,150.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2015’s The Cally single grain 40-year-old release. How does Cambus 40 compare? 

 The nose suggests a sweet and creamy whisky, with hints of cream soda, vanilla pod, orange sherbert and a touch of sweet grain. The palate surprises with a big grassy note that develops into peaches in syrup, white pepper, vanilla, orange zest, and oak spice. Some light oak tannins start to cut short the otherwise creamy mouthfeel of this whisky. The finish is warm and clean, leaving behind bittersweet grain and slight herbs, alongside a hint of light toffee.

Overall an elegant whisky, though I slightly preferred the Cally 40 year. 8.5/10

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.