whiskey blog – Slowdrink.de

Review: Brora 32 y.o. OB

Peter Krause — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:03:09 +0000

A shorter note today, but one of a very famous bottling: the highly acclaimed Brora 32 y.o. – I could try this at a friend’s house (thanks, Michael) after a nice dinner last night. This dram was the perfect way to finish the evening. This very limited Brora (1500 btl.) was vatted from both refill European and American oak casks and the first official 32 years old bottling after the numerous 30 y.o releases from 2002 on). Most scores for it were over 90, but people mentioned that this special release needs some time to develop or one can miss the magic. We looked into the glass for you:

Brora 32 y.o. OB Special Release 2011 (Annual Release No. 10), 1500 btl., 54,7%

Comment: Very austere, maritime and mineral, a typical old Brora, but a bit less farmyardy in the nose than usual. It almost strikes me as mild with notes of waxed apple, herbs, discrete vanilla, camphor, diesel and a put-out bonfire (coal smoke, soot ashes) on a stony beach with storm clouds rolling in. More on elegance than power altogether, so you have to be into austerity to go nuts for this one. This profile totally changes in the mouth, it literally explodes on the palate without becoming too sharp. This Brora just went from mild to wild while keeping a great balance. It now unfolds the breathtaking 1972-ish peat-soot-farmyard combo and also reminds me of the Talisker-esque bite (here on black pepper). There are some sweet milky-vanilla-licorice moments that get wiped out by the powerful elements in the finish. The traces of lemony fruits and leather can hold on though and counter the sooty ash and peat. A dram that screams for another glass. It is between the recent releases and a legendary 1972. No water is necessary but the Brora 32 can swim well. I am afraid this one will become very expensive in a few years.

Score: 92

Review: Port Ellen 1983 for Reifferscheid – and its sisters

Peter Krause — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 22:01:34 +0000

Long gone is the time when Port Ellen was a sleeper for insiders, only. Nowadays it ranks among Islay’s superstars, good in its youth but also a great ager, as versatile as peaty whisky can get. Prices have taken off by now and will increase further, I guess, but there are still great PE finds out there. The Reifferscheid release, for example, was available at a price point of around 200 Euro recently and worth every penny. Here is my review. The final score was shared by many other connoisseurs in a tasting.

Port Ellen 2.2.1983 – 4.2011 Reifferscheid ‚Romantic Rhine Collection‘, Cask 229, 180 btl., 54,3%

Comment: This one has a touch of everything somehow and belongs to the clean side. Slightly farmyardy, malty and spicy altogether at first whiff. Despite the ‚peat-oil-tire-sulphur combo‘ and some soot, ropes and iodine, this Port Ellen has an elegant side to it. Maybe it is the dash of lemon and a pinch of sea salt/brine in the background that render this nice zestiness as a counterpart to the powerful Islay aromas. In addition to that, we detected milk coffee, leather and white pepper in the nose. On the palate the dram focuses way more on farmyardy and peaty aromas as suggested before. A discrete saltiness leads into the eternal flinty and sooty finish. Simply a great whisky with minor cask influence. I got me a bottle, what else can I say.

By the way, its sister cask #230 by Old Bothwell is equally as great and The Whiskyman release (Serge: 93) came from identical sources. I think Ruben scored it at 92 as well. I can confirm and recommend.

Score: 92

Review: Clynelish 1972 Rare Malts Selection

Peter Krause — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:52:52 +0000

The Rare Malts series is known for high proof releases vatted from several casks. As the name suggests, these bottlings are becomingquite rare and therefore, quite pricy as well.

A great source of information by Ulf

Some releases are true legends like the 1972 Broras, others were a bit inexpressive. If you want to know more about the Rare Malts selection you should read fellow Maniac Ulf Buxrud’s book about them (see picture).

1972 was definitely not a bad year for Brora/Clynelish and I would like to find out if one of the Clynelish Rare Malts releases of that year can hold a candle to the Brora nectar, or at least, can show some similar features. Let’s see:

Clynelish 24 y.o. Rare Malts Selection 1972 – 9.1997, 61,3%

Comment: Great from the start. It shows the typical distillery notes in an austere yet complex style, e.g. green waxed apples, beeswax and honey, big minerality and the smell of a stormfront rolling in from the sea. We also have aromas of bonfire smoke, resin, artificial leather, apricots, pineapples, vanilla and flowers in the enticing nose. On the palate it is really intense, powerful and similar to its bouquet, but the honey becomes much bigger and licorice joins in the mix. The bold spiciness is necessary to balance all these bees. Big malt here! I recommend some drops of water but it is drinkable at full strength as well. However, water opens the dram a lot and you get more of everything. Don’t worry, this dram is still far from being weak – actually it is quite a monster in terms of power but retains its austerity in character, which makes this Clynelish a great drinking experience. Not for beginners, though. As for the comparison: The Broras from 1972 add a complex layer of soot, iodine and peat to this profile and possess even more depth.

Score: 91