It’s the last week of 2015 and we’ll dedicate it to a few good premium whiskies, which some you can still buy if you have the money. The BTC 2015 recap will follow next week.

The first dram will be a youngster, a mere 25 Year old whisky but it’s a closed distillery and a good one at that – the 25 Year Old Brora from Diageo 2008 Special Releases. It was distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2008 yielding 3000 bottles.

Brora 25 Year Old (2008 Special Releases) (56.3%, £999.95/£1200/€1299)

Nose: It’s plainly a Brora as there’s no mistake here with the combination of honey, wafts of peat smoke and wax. But the nose is closed and it needs some time to open up. after coaxing it a bit, we get floral notes, nutty and earthy notes and even some peaches. I added a few drops of water and was rewarded with pepper, honey and a citrus notes.

Palate: Wax, quite noticeable peat and smoke comparing to the nose, honey, white pepper, oak wood spices and light floral fragrance. With water it’s fruitier with peaches and oranges notes.

Finish: Medium length with oak wood spices, pepper and honey, fruitier with water.

Thoughts: It’s a well done brora, lovely although not utterly complex. It’s not very peated but still a classic Brora.

(Thanks Franck for the sample!)