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Brora
Triptych, a rare set of three single
malts released to mark the restoration
of the small Highland distillery, each
of the bottles in the set represents one
of Brora's distinct styles.
Restoration of the Brora distillery
which we all thought closed for good
back in 1983 when the distillery fell
silent is set to be completed in
mid-May 2021.
The small Highland distillery acquired
itself a somewhat iconic status amongst
whisky connoisseurs and collectors
during it 38 years of closure and to
mark its return I am sure those same
whisky connoisseurs and collectors will
be pleased to hear that owners
Diageo today revealed a one-off special
release of a set of three rare
Brora Single Malt whiskies, Brora
Triptych, with each whisky in the three
bottle set
representing a distinct style of Brora’s
proud and storied heritage.
The first in the Brora Triptych set is
the Brora Triptych Elusive Legacy 48
Year Old 1972 vintage, the oldest ever
public release from the distillery. Said
to be a very rare style from casks of
1972, this whisky represents an earthy
expression of Brora, much sought after
as it was only created in short periods
throughout the distillery’s history.
Warm chestnut in colour, there is a
delicate aroma which blends wood spice
with hints of peach tarte tatin, amidst
a powerful rich maltiness.
The second in the set is the Brora
Triptych Age of Peat 43 Year Old 1977
vintage, a heavily peated expression
drawn from casks of 1977. This is a
classic Brora style from the late 70’s,
and one of the only examples of a
highly-peated Highland whisky from that
era. The few casks that were left from
this phase are said to have matured
remarkably well and the whisky is
multi-layered and complex. Intensely
deep and golden, this expression is
elegant on the nose with creamy vanilla
invigorated by freshly cut green apples
and hints of beeswax, before a long,
sweet finish of peat-fired smokiness.
Completing the set is the Brora Triptych
Timeless Original 38 Year Old 1982
vintage, this has come from limited
stocks of 1982 and is said to represent
the distinct waxiness that made Brora
famous. This more modern and refined
style returns to lower peating levels,
reflective of Brora whisky before the
Age of Peat. Glowing yellow gold in hue,
sherberty lemon peel, and a touch of
fresh green grass dance on the nose.
The three-piece Brora Triptych whisky
set is intended to be appreciated
together, a showcase of the distillery’s
most famous three styles selected by
Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson who
comments, "These are some of our very
last precious relics from a Brora of
bygone age. Each one represents a moment
in time at the distillery and tasting
these superb whiskies is to be part of a
special moment in history. When
selecting the casks for these rare
bottlings, we wanted to celebrate those
distinct characteristics that define
Brora, and those that we seek to uphold
as we begin a new chapter in its story."
Each collectible set of the Brora
Triptych will be accompanied by a
personal invitation from Brora’s Master
Distiller Stewart Bowman to visit and
experience Brora first-hand. Born in the
town of Brora and with a long family
connection to the distillery, Bowman
worked alongside a host of artisans,
whisky-makers and archivists in the
restoration of the distillery buildings
and its whisky and will carefully
oversee the creation of new Brora spirit
upon its return.
Stewart comments, "The stories of Brora
are woven into my own history and I am
honoured to soon be able to share these
stories with others. My father was an
‘old hand’ at the distillery, and I grew
up in the village with the top of the
distillery’s bell-tower visible from our
kitchen window. In the years after
Brora’s closure, I remember my father
showing me the old cask ledgers and the
records of those final casks distilled
in 1983 and asking if Brora would return
one day. It fills me with great pride
that thirty-eight years after the doors
of Brora closed, more casks will now be
filled, and we will be able to welcome
people once again to this special place.
It is our commitment that we will do
justice to the Brora of old and hope to
welcome visitors to our restored home as
soon as that is possible. In the Brora
Triptych, we aimed to celebrate the
great whisky styles of the past for
which Brora is known."
All three of the Brora Triptych Single
Malt whiskies are presented in a single
presentation case, inspired by Brora’s
surrounding coastlines. Each crystal
bottle is completed with Glencairn
crystal stoppers, and the cabinet, built
from ash wood all sourced in the UK, was
crafted by Master Cabinetmaker and Royal
Warrant Holder N. E. J. Stevenson.
All three bottles in the Brora Triptych
set are 50cl and as I am sure you can
guess you will need deep pockets to get
hold of a set with a RRP of £30,000, the set
will be available from mid-May 2021 from specialist online whisky
retailers such as
The Whisky Exchange and
Master of Malt
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