Brora 16th Release 51.9% 1982

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Serge Valentin (88)

Indeed, this is the brand new Special Release from Diageo’s racing team, and it is the second time we’re being proposed a Brora SR from the ‘lighter’ years, so post-1980. There had only been a Brora ‘Rare Malt’ 1982 back in 2003, and a 25 in 2008. Colour: light gold. Nose: indeed, it is a rather light one, with the softest fruits (apples…) and only in the background, touches of lime. Then the expected lightly waxy development, around lemon-scented candle wax and perhaps a pinhead of coal tar. Perhaps an idea of some ripe kiwi? Vase water? To tell you the truth, I’m not sure I’d have said ‘Brora’, had I nosed this baby blind. With water: muddy waters and beach sand, perhaps a wee touch of fresh asparagus. Not a big nose. Mouth (neat): certainly more power, this palate hasn’t got much to do with the very soft and almost innocuous nose. Big lemon with an ashy side, some white pepper, and perhaps even green grapefruits. It’s all nicely focussed on citrus, but there isn’t much smoke, if any. Ideas of clay, sucking a green cigar, beedies… With water: gets a bit too dry for me, rather on green tea and grape-pip oil. Finish: medium, grassy, with artichokes and lemon zests. A tiny-wee saltiness in the aftertaste, and a little paraffin. Comments: a pretty un-Brora Brora, very good of course, but rather without the wideness and the complexity of earlier vintages, including the utterly superb 1977 from last year (WF 95). Please don’t tell everyone, but I think neighbours Clynelish used to be better in the early 1980s.