Brora Triptych 48 Year Old 1972 Elusive Legacy

To celebrate the reopening of the legendary Brora distillery, Diageo launches a very exclusive set with three historical malts. On the 19th of May 2021 the first cask with new spirit was laid down – a year later than plannen, but we all know the culprit. The reopening was celebrated in style with this Brora Triptich, a very exclusive set – limited to 300 worldwide – with three bottles of 50cl with the golden liquid, i.e. a 48 years old Elusive Legacy from 1972, a 43 years old Age of Peat from 1977 and a 38 years old Timeless Original from 1982. They each represent a milestone in the distillery’s history. Unfortunately I would need to take out another mortgage on my house to be able to afford a set, for it retails at around £30.000 (35.000 EUR), Brexit shenanigans not included. But next to the historical liquid you also get a personal invitation to the distillery for an exclusive tour in the restored distillery. I was fortunate to be able to try these three exceptional malts. We’ll try them from young (for lack of a better word) to old.

Brora 48 Year Old 1972 Elusive Legacy

This 48 years old is the oldest Brora ever bottled. Moreover, not much was distilled this distillery in 1972. A unique moment in a unique moment, if you know what I mean.

OMFG! This is flabbergasting. On the one hand again those typical tropical notes with pineapple and citrus fruit (bergamot), on the other some hay and stable scents. Excellent! And than a grand maritime note. Yes, a salty note that reminds me of lobster – I kid you not! Ship’s ropes versus Oil of Olay. Wellington boots versus fresh mint. Parsley versus seaweeds. Complex ad infinitum.

Wonderfully old school – who am I kidding, this is old school of course. Soft notes of apple and herbal tea, very herbal indeed and again that saltiness that really pleases me. Chewing tobacco with mint. Less waxy than it’s predessors (no, that should be succesors, right?), but still nicely creamy and softly spicy. It keeps on giving, if you know what I mean. Unprecedented for me.

The subtle finish is nicely warm, very minty and creamy and makes me realise I’ve just tried one of the best whisky’s ever. I’m dumbfounded.

And thus my personal top ten is shaken up again, for this one climbs straight to second place (ex aequo with the Port Ellen 39 Year Old 1978 Untold Stories).

My god! What an absolute privilege to have been able to try these malts. Unaffordable (to me) and legendary, tasted in good company on a sunny terrace. All these elements combined created an unparalelled experience. And yes, this whisky is grand. Words simply are not enough. Just like the balance on my savings account.

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