Brora
A LEGEND RESTORED
Founded by the Marquis of Stafford in 1819 but closed in 1983, Brora grew to become a cult legend celebrated by collectors and connoisseurs. On 19th May 2021, 38 years after Brora closed its gates, the 202 year old distillery was awakened.
TRUE RARITY
Nestled on the remote North-East coast of Sutherland, Brora’s warehouses matured whisky of legendary quality and character. Brora’s celebrated and select releases are as elusive as the Scottish Wildcat, the emblem of the distillery’s founder.
A METICULOUS RESTORATION
A meticulous brick-by-brick restoration of an historic Victorian distillery to recreate the spirit for which Brora is famous. Every effort has been taken to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions, equipment and processes from Brora in 1983 in order to recreate the spirit for which the distillery is famous.
FACES OF BRORA
STEWART BOWMAN
BRORA MASTER DISTILLER
Son of the last exciseman at Brora, Stewart continues a family tradition. Growing up in the village he often wondered if Brora would ever be brought back to life. 38 years after its closure, Stewart was present as the very first cask was filled at the restored distillery, ensuring the quality of the spirit produced pays tribute to those that came before.
CRAIG WILSON
BRORA MASTER BLENDER
With a PhD in Brewing and Distilling, Craig continues to deepen his expertise and understanding of flavour through his work with Brora. Selecting from the fleeting final casks from the distillery’s historic stock, Craig is the curator of the Brora Triptych and holds an almost forensic understanding of the spirit resting in Brora’s warehouses.
BRORA HERITAGE & RESTORATION
1819
The distillery was founded, as Clynelish Distillery, by the Marquis of Stafford in 1819.
1887
In 1887, Alfred Barnard wrote the demand from private customers was “so great that the firm have for some years been obliged to refuse trade orders”.
At a time when the vast majority of whisky was going straight into blends, Clynelish was being sold as a single malt and to private customers
1896 / 1897
The distillery’s capacity was substantially increased in 1896/97 by Ainslie & Co.
1967 / 1968
To cope with demand, a new distillery was built next to Clynelish in 1967. They were known as Clynelish A and B, until the original was renamed Brora Distillery in 1968.
1968
Brora produced a heavily-peated Islay-style whisky from 1968 up until 1981 when its peating levels were brought into line with other mainland malts.
1983
Brora Distillery closed in 1983 and since then the whisky it produced has become one of the most highly prized and sought-after liquids in Scotch whisky.
2017
In 2017, the decision was taken to re-awaken Brora Distillery in answer to existing enthusiasts’ prayers and so new generations can enjoy its exceptional single malt.
2017 - 2021
2017 - 2021: In order to restore the original masterpiece, work began to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions, equipment and processes used at the distillery in 1983.
2021
19th May 2021: the Brora Triptych is revealed on the day the distillery returned.