Brora 1971-2001 29 Year Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

Lavish and approachable Brora, an exceptional malt that showcases the subtlety of water addition. Brora BRORA 1971-2001 29yo DOUGLAS LAING Old Malt Cask 50% one of 258 bottles The aroma expands powerfully with moist and alluring nuances, featuring over-ripe apples, oranges, citrus, overly steeped apricot tea, grape juice from the depths, pleasant barley notes, a touch of metallic sensation, cheese and leather, decaying leaves, strong smoke, and an enchanting complexity. Upon tasting, it begins with a smooth mouthfeel that expands into rich aromas, containing over-ripe citrus fruits, disinfectant, deeply infused barley notes, musk, decaying leaves, cheese and leather. While sweetness is present, there's also a dry nuance, slightly pruney, with the umami of barley and seafood dashi. The peat-smoked, slightly oily finish lingers with a trancelike aftertaste. [Excellent] This is Brora from Douglas Laing's OMC, aged 29 years from 1971. While Douglas Laing's Brora often sees high demand for the rare and old 70s vintages, this OMC Brora is exceptionally outstanding. Its aroma expands powerfully from the start, carrying a suspiciously alluring quality. The over-ripe fruitiness is diverse, with nuances of grape juice emerging from the depths. There's a sense of concentrated apricot tea and faint metallic notes. Naturally, the smoke is strongly present, with the leatheriness and earthy qualities from bottle aging adding depth to the aroma, creating a very favorable impression. Upon tasting, it surprisingly has a smooth mouthfeel that then explosively expands into rich aromas. The textured barley umami, infused with over-ripe fruits, has a balanced sweetness with a touch of saltiness. Both barley and dashi umami are clearly felt. The smoky peat is sufficiently present, asserting itself all the way through the long finish. The tasting experience was enjoyable, with each aroma and sip leaving a lingering admiration. While the popular old and rare vintages are certainly delicious, they often carry a stubborn and rigid impression. This OMC Brora is rare for its vintage, offering approachability and enjoyment. I believe this difference significantly stems from the water addition itself and the pronounced bottle aging effects caused by it. Regardless, there's no doubt this is an outstanding malt. It was a Brora that made my heart flutter. #Brora (BRORA)