In 2017 Diageo surprised many whisky enthusiasts by removing Brora from the yearly Special Releases , something that was later explained by the news of the re-opening of the distillery in 2020.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the distillery’s (original) opening Diageo vatted 12 American oak hogsheads from 1978 . They filled 1819 bttles – the foundation year indeed.

Brora 40 yo 1978 (49,2%, OB ‘200th Anniversary’ 2019, 1819 btl.)

Nose: wonderfully sweet and fruity. There’s European fruit (stewed golden apples, grapes, figs) as well as raisins and some tropical notes of grilled pineapple and papaya. Typical...