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Everything you need to know about Brora Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Brora 13 Year Old Cadenhead 1982 Highlands Miniature Malt Whisky£119.99 Inc VAT -
Brora Connoisseurs Choice 1972 Highlands Miniature Malt Whisky£139.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Brora, Highlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1968.
Brora Distillery: A Highland Icon Reborn
There are distilleries people admire, and then there are distilleries people quietly obsess over. Brora sits firmly in the second camp. Tucked away on Scotland’s north-east Highland coast, near the village of Brora in Sutherland, this distillery has lived more than one life — and that’s part of the magic.
Originally founded in 1819 as Clynelish, the distillery was later renamed Brora in 1968 when a new Clynelish was built next door. During the 1970s, Brora produced a lightly peated Highland malt that has since become the stuff of legend. When it closed in 1983, few could have guessed how sought-after those bottles would become.
Fast forward to 2021, and Brora Distillery reopened after a careful restoration. The aim was simple: bring back the old character, not reinvent it. That means traditional equipment, long fermentation, and a peat level that’s present but never overwhelming. For UK whisky drinkers who love coastal Highland malts with subtle smoke and depth, Brora is more than just a name — it’s a piece of whisky history poured back into a glass.
Taste Profile
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Fruity |
Briny / Maritime | Peaty / Smoky |
Brora is known for a balanced Highland style, combining light peat, coastal freshness, and elegant fruit.
Brora typically opens with gentle peat smoke and orchard fruit, followed by honeyed sweetness and a faint salty edge. The smoke is refined rather than bold — more driftwood on the shore than bonfire on the beach.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Peat Smoke |
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Brine / Sea Salt |
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Honey |
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Apple / Pear |
Notable Brora Bottles
Brora’s reputation was built on older releases, but new bottlings are now slowly returning to the market.
| Whisky | Style | What You’ll Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Brora 30 Year Old (Pre-Closure) | Aged Highland Malt | Waxiness, soft peat, coastal salt |
| Brora 35 & 40 Year Old | Rare Aged Releases | Complex fruit, smoke, polished oak |
| Brora 2021 Relaunch Bottling | Modern Revival Malt | Fresh fruit, gentle peat, sea air |
Older Brora bottles are often considered collector’s items, especially the lightly peated 1970s vintages.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Brora Distillery
Address: Brora Distillery, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LR, Scotland
 Open in maps |
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 +44 (0)1408 621250 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — Brora now has a visitor experience following its reopening.
What you can expect:
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Guided distillery tours
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Warehouse tastings
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Insight into the restoration process
Typical Opening Times:
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Seasonal and by booking only
Visits are more limited and premium in style compared to larger Highland distilleries.
Ownership & Distillery History
Brora has changed hands over its long life but remains tied to major Scotch producers.
Ownership Timeline:
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1819: Founded as Clynelish Distillery
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1968: Renamed Brora
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1983: Closed
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2021: Reopened by Diageo
Today, Brora sits within Diageo’s portfolio, restored to reflect its historic character rather than modern trends.
Distillery Facts
Brora – Key Facts
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Distillery: Brora Distillery
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Region: Highland (Scotland)
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Founded: 1819
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Original Name: Clynelish Distillery (Brora site)
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Name Changed: 1968 — officially renamed Brora
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Mothballed: 1983
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Reopened: 2021
Historical Background
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Originally built as Clynelish Distillery in 1819; a second Clynelish with improved design was built nearby in the 1960s.
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After the new Clynelish opened, the older site became known as Brora.
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Brora operated as a separate distillery from 1968 to 1983.
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It was shut down during the whisky downturn of the early 1980s.
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The site remained dormant for decades before restoration and reopening in 2021.
Production Facts
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Makes single malt Scotch whisky.
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Distils in classic copper pot stills.
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In its original era, Brora was known for heavily peated whisky, unusual for a Highland distillery.
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Peat levels were high because there was a supply issue with malt from the usual supplier, leading the distillery to source deeply peated barley.
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Maturation took place in oak casks — often ex-bourbon with occasional sherry influence.
Style and Character (Original Era)
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Highly peated profile compared to most Highland malts.
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Aromas and flavours included smoke, brine, leather, heather, medicinal peat, and rich malt sweetness.
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Deep complexity with power, balance, and a distinctive coastal edge despite Highland location.
Reputation and Status
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Widely considered one of the most legendary and collectible Scotch whiskies.
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Original bottles from the 1970s and early 1980s command extremely high prices among collectors.
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Its rarity and quality have made it a benchmark for peated Highland single malts.
Reopening
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The distillery reopened and began production again in 2021 after extensive restoration.
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New production is ongoing, with bottles expected as stocks mature over coming years.
Brora Whisky to Buy
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