A legend reborn: The return of iconic distillery Brora

Words by
Joel Harrison

26th April 2021

In celebration of Brora’s long-awaited relaunch, a new triptych of historic rare single malt releases promises to set whisky collectors’ pulses racing

Thanks to the resurgence of interest in single malts, the remaining stocks from long-closed distilleries have become some of the most sought-after Scotches by collectors and investors alike. Possibly at the very top of the list is the lauded name of Brora. Past bottlings from Brora, which closed in 1983, have rocketed in price at auction over the past decade and, in a sign of just how times have changed, the distillery is being revived, much to the cheer of Scotch fans everywhere.

To celebrate the reopening of Brora this May, a new triptych of whisky releases, each representing a celebrated time of this iconic distillery’s past, is set to be released. The three-bottle collectable set will be priced at £30,000 and will showcase the oldest public release of Brora direct from the distiller. Three styles of single malt will make up the collection. The oldest, an earthy 48-year-old expression distilled in 1972, is complemented by a 1977 43-Year-Old heavily peated and smoky expression. Finishing this epic journey is a waxy 38-year-old from 1982. 

“This extraordinary collection, the like of which has never been seen before, shows just why Brora has been restored so meticulously to its former glory,” notes Bradbury. Whisky distilled at Brora in the early 1970s is highly regarded by Scotch whisky experts as some of the very best spirit ever produced at any distillery in the country, with 1972 being highly sought after as a truly exceptional vintage. 

Just 300 sets have been produced and each comes with a personal invitation from Brora’s Master Distiller, Stewart Bowman, for a personal visit to the distillery. And what a trip that would be — Brora is unique. Despite its closure, the original copper pot stills remain intact, making it a distillery suspended in time, a postcard from the past yet with a new future.

brora.com

Diageo is one of the official partners of Sphere's new spring issue diageo.com