brora distillery visit

FREE DELIVERY FOR MALTS CLUB MEMBERS OR ON ORDERS OVER £75

THE DISTILLERY

Request your booking to visit the Brora Distillery, meet the craftspeople and hear firsthand the stories of Brora that have been passed on from generation to generation. Each person that we welcome through the Wildcat gates will help us continue this legacy as they experience the intricate processes involved in crafting Brora’s spirit, learn of its restoration, and look ahead to the reveal of new Brora in decades to come. Experiences at Brora distillery are available by appointment only. Please note that we cannot accommodate walk-in visitors. Explore the experiences and request your visit today.

Advanced booking for tours and experiences is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Tour Options

The Eras of Brora

The past, present and future eras of Brora are explored in this engrossing experience which includes: a three course lunch of contemporary Scottish cuisine using local ingredients; tastings of Brora Triptych and additional limited edition Brora expression, as well as a guided new make spirit nosing with examples from Clynelish and Lagavulin distilleries. Exclusive Bottling available only from Brora’s restored home subject to availability.

Select a Date

Brora Awakened

Join us for an in-depth production experience within the transformed iconic distillery. Discover first hand the journey undertaken in recreating a legendary liquid, reviving distilling techniques of the past and the meticulous renovation of the historical buildings.

VISIT BRORA

Brora Distillery, 3 Clynelish Road, Brora, KW9 6LR, UK

E | [email protected]

OPENING HOURS

Experiences at Brora distillery are available by appointment only. Please note that we cannot accommodate walk-in visitors. Explore the experiences and request your visit today.

Our responsibility

Accessibility

We’re pleased to have consulted Euan’s guide to ensure that we provide disabled access information upfront to give all visitors the confidence to visit the distillery and enjoy the experience. Please do let us know if you have any specific requirements at the time of your booking and a staff member will be in touch.

Learn about our latest releases straight from the distillery

MNIW launched a new special edition bottling: “DRAGON”,    Discover more »

Interview , Whisky 101

A tour of brora distillery, andrew flatt | interview | whisky distillery, september 29, 2022.

On our distillery tour of Scotland, after Clynelish , our second stop was (of course) Brora. In the previous article, we already – and inevitably – talked about Clynelish’s twin sister. But here we will focus more on Brora, discovering all its secrets thanks to Andrew Flatt, Brora’s brand home host. So let’s dive into this distillery tour together once again!

The History of Brora

Standing in front of the gates of a distillery is always exciting. Standing in front of the gates of Brora, a distillery rich in history and charm is absolutely mind-blowing. After all, this is a ghost distillery that came back to life a few years ago.

We have already talked about the origins of Brora. Now, we will focus on its rebirth. Indeed, just when everyone thought that Brora’s stills would remain quiet forever after it was closed down in 1983, in 2021, following the acquisition of Diageo, the distillery restarted and began to produce whisky once again.

Brora Today

What about its soul? Fear not. The reopening has not altered the very heart of Brora. Quite the opposite. In fact, the new team attempted to restart the distillery exactly where we had left it off, with the same equipment and the same characteristics of its single malt whisky.

The restoration team examined the still registers and collected oral histories from former distillery workers to ensure the continuity of the characteristics of its whisky production. In short, the current production at Brora is trying to replicate the original distillate from before the closure.

But there is one small detail that will help the team achieve this goal. In the Diageo archive, there are bottles with the old new make. This means that experts can literally recreate the original whisky’s taste from a tangible example!

Brora Whisky

Due to the closing in 1983 the amount of Brora Whiskies is very limited. The most available bottles (however difficult to find) are vintages of the 70s and 80s with about 15 to 35 years of maturation.

The whisky is a lightly peated Highland Scotch. There are still quite a lot of old independent bottlings of the distillery. Bottles from those decades are a real trip back to the past. Each of them naturally has its own unique characteristics but a few things unite them: the peaty hint of the whiskies and their complex symphony of flavours. In short, it is a whisky for those who do not have a shy palate.

Brora Production

As we already said, since its reopening in 2021, the production at Brora has been running again after an extensive renovation. Indeed, some of the original production items were refurbished, others had to be replaced completely. But the the water for production still comes from the burn that flows directly past the distillery. 

The mash tun is actually the exact replica of the old stainless one installed at Brora in the early 1970’s. And it was even made by the same company: Abercrombies. As for the washback, the old wooden fermentation vats had dried out over time and started to leak, thus they were removed when the distillery closed and taken to another one. The current washbacks are brand new recreations of the originals.

As for the former stills, they are still in place and will be reused for distillation after refurbishment. Thankfully, they were never removed because they worried that the building would have collapsed! Having the original stills gives an important advantage: the possibility of replicating the new make exactly as it once was. A great way to take a trip back in time!

A chat with Andrew Flatt

But enough talk from us. We have someone who can give us a very close insight into the distillery: Andrew Flatt, Brora’s Brand Home Host.

We’ll be delighted to also have a little introduction about yourself!

I left behind a 14-year career working for the Police and now work as the Brand Home Host at Brora, welcoming guests to the iconic distillery, leading highly personalised tours and tastings of Brora’s historic stock. During my previous career I spent my spare time working as a freelance whisky writer, newspaper columnist, blogger and event host. In the past, I have also been lucky enough to be involved in judging several whisky competitions and currently sit on the judging panel for the World Whisky Awards.

The Brora distillery was used for the production of blend whisky. At some point, it also started producing single malts. How did this transition between the two productions come about? At one point, did the two types of production take place simultaneously?

Originally the spirit produced in the distillery was used exclusively for blends, having had a long history with Johnnie Walker in particular. The different levels of peated malt used in the production of the spirit was driven by demand from the blending team. In order to ensure that there was enough inventory for the various blended whiskies, Brora Distillery produced what was required by the business at the time.  Brora was asked to produce this in particular due to its flexibility, and renown for produce a very high quality spirit, that was very sought after by blenders. 

Are there any particular moments from Brora’s history that you would like to share? Are there any legends or stories linked to the distillery? Can you please clarify the history of Brora? 

• The distillery was founded, as Clynelish Distillery, by the Marquis of Stafford in 1819. 
• 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.
• The distillery’s capacity was substantially increased in 1896/97 by Ainslie & Co. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• Brora Distillery closed in 1983 and since then the whisky it produced has become one of the most highly prized and sought-after products in Scotch whisky. 
• In 2017, the decision was taken to re-awaken Brora Distillery in answer to existing enthusiasts’ hopes 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.
• 19th May 2021: The first cask of Brora is filled after more than 38 years of quiet.

What are the differences between Brora and Clynelish whisky? Is the production technique different?

‘New’ Clynelish was designed to replicate the signature ‘Old’ Clynelish style and character, as it had garnished a stellar reputation in the industry, but utilised much more upscale, modern and efficient production methods. At the time, Brora had a maximum capacity of around 1million litres per year, whereas for scale it’s more modern neighbour can now produce upwards of 4.8 million litres.

What structural or general changes have taken place since Diageo reopened Brora?

Earlier this year, Brora appointed Jackie Robertson as its new Master Distiller. Jackie joins Brora from the distinguished all-female team at Talisker, with 17 years experience behind her creating some of the world’s finest whiskies at Diageo’s most prestigious distilleries. 

According to our research, Brora is trying to replicate the same type of whisky produced shortly before the closure from a sample stored in the Diageo archives. Is this news true? Will Brora go back to being the distillery it was before or will there be some changes?

Using a combination of the tasting notes for the original new make spirit, the exact same stills, material from the archives and more modern distilling knowledge, we have managed to replicate, as closely as possible, all the equipment and processes used originally. This relied on the combination of talents from some of Diageo’s most recognised experts, celebrated whisky noses including Master Blender Dr Jim Beveridge OBE drawing on his personal connection to the distillery over the past 40 years, which was then made a reality by Donna Anderson, drawing on her technical expertise. 

Does Brora have plans for environmentally sustainable production?

Brora is now a carbon neutral distillery after the installation of a biomass boiler to provide energy for the stills. The biomass boiler is fuelled by woodchip from sustainable sources in the North of Scotland. By using technical advances over the last 38 years, water efficiency is greatly improved in the distilling processes, cooling for the worm tubs is via an Adiabatic cooling system. While this doesn’t change the distillation regime, it allows the use of new technology to improve the original distillery.

At present, it is only possible to visit Brora through private tours. Will it ever be open to the public?

Brora extends a warm highland welcome to those wishing to visit the distillery. Distillery visits are conducted in small groups and on a by-appointment basis only in order to ensure the tour is intimate and bespoke. Bookings can be made through the link here. 

Have you ever visited Brora? Share this article and tag your next travelling companion on the Brora distillery tour! You can book your visit on the distillery’s website www.brora.com .

Enjoyed the article?

Subscribe to our newsletter, and don’t miss out on any news about the Whisky World.

*The cover photo of this article is from the Diageo website .

Pernod Ricard acquired The Whisky Exchange

Women Representation in the Whisky Industry. An Interview with Kate Watt

Everything you need to know to start investing in Whisky: Part 1

The Chemistry of Whisky: Barley

How does Mark Watt enjoy his whisky?

2021 Whisky Releases: News from the Whisky World

The product images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. Mynameiswhisky reserves the right to change product images and specifications at any time without notice.

INTERNATIONAL express delivery

Secure online payments by

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join MNIW on a journey through the whisky’s universe. Stay up to date on the latest news.

MYNAMEISWHISKY s.a.g.l.

Via acquedotto 4C 6814 – Lamone (CH)

t. +41 768 150 284 [email protected]

Design & Dev by: Franz Goria with Francesca Murat

MYNAMEISWHISKY s.a.g.l. – CHE-294.466.878 – Via acquedotto 4C; Lamone (CH); Zip Code: 6814

It’s rude to ask, but are you old enough in your country for enter this site?

• No products in the cart.

Clynelish Distillery

Top ways to experience Clynelish Distillery and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Clynelish Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.11 mi) Clynelish Farm
• (1.10 mi) Royal Marine Hotel
• (0.62 mi) North Coast 500 Pods
• (1.00 mi) Sutherland Inn Hotel
• (0.90 mi) Brora Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
• (0.96 mi) Sid's Spice
• (0.97 mi) Cocoa Skye
• (0.99 mi) The Sutherland Inn
• (0.98 mi) Linda’s Cafe
• (5.18 mi) Poppy's Coffee Shop

Diageo’s iconic “ghost” distillery of Brora is reawakened after 38 years

Having closed in 1983 during one of the most challenging periods for the industry, the reopening of Brora marks the first revival of a famous “lost” name in Scotch and represents a major signal of confidence in the future growth of the category. 

We have reawakened the distillery following a painstaking three-year restoration as part of a £35million investment programme that will also see the equally iconic lost distillery of Port Ellen on Islay brought back into production.

For decades Brora has been viewed as one of the lost icons of the whisky world. During its time of closure, the distillery and its whisky gained legendary status among whisky connoisseurs the world over.

The restored distillery will now safeguard a sustainable future for Brora, with the installation of a biomass boiler powered by sustainably sourced wood chips from Northern Scotland.

“This is a new dawn for Brora – a distillery that is a beautiful new jewel in the crown of our portfolio in Scotland. I am particularly proud that Brora will be a carbon neutral distillery entirely powered by on-site renewable energy. This marks a major milestone on our journey to invest in Scotland, its rural communities and the future of Scotch whisky.” Ewan Andrew, President, Supply & Procurement

With stunning attention to heritage detail, the 202-year-old Brora stillhouse was taken down and rebuilt stone-by-stone exactly as it was when new in 1819, but now fit for another two centuries of production. The original Brora two classic copper pot stills were refurbished by our skilled coppersmiths.

Brora Master Distiller Stewart Bowman, who is a native to the Sutherland town and whose father was the last exciseman at the distillery, officially marked the launch by opening the Brora wildcat gates and filling the first cask of Brora spirit in more than 38 years.

“In 1983, my father wrote in an old distillery ledger ‘Commencement of Brora Distillery silent season (undetermined period)’. Growing up in the village we often wondered whether Brora would ever return, but today we filled the first cask. It is with great pride that I can now say to my father, the Brora community, and all the ‘old hands’ that worked at Brora and helped to craft a legendary whisky, that the stills are alive and we are making Brora spirit once again.” Stewart Bowman, Brora Master Distiller

Brora is among our smallest distilleries, capable of producing 800,000 litres of spirit each year, and will welcome visitors in small numbers on a by-appointment basis, bookable via Brora.com from July. Visits to the distillery will include tastings of rare Brora releases, including a new distillery exclusive bottling only available at Brora’s newly restored home: The Brora Distillery Collection: Hidden Beneath, a Brora 1982 39 Year Old.

Showing 1 of 5

Discover more stories

Brora reopens: the resurrection of a sleeping Scotch icon

Words by Becky Paskin

Brora was, until last week, one of Scotch whisky’s last sleeping giants. Abandoned for almost 40 years , its unused copper pot stills eroded by the salty sea air, the Victorian distillery on Scotland’s north-east coast was left to deteriorate into nothing more than a dusty museum suspended in time.

A casualty of the 1980s “whisky loch” – a period of oversupply that prompted the closure of several distilleries – Brora has long been considered a lost icon. While it was sleeping, its remaining rare whisky has gained cult status among single-malt enthusiasts.

Now, after a thorough three-year restoration, the Sutherland distillery has been reawakened, its stills fired back into life and with spirit flowing through its veins once more. It’s a historic moment for the distillery and restoration team, particularly master distiller Stewart Bowman, whose father worked as Brora’s last exciseman.

“Growing up in the village, we often wondered whether Brora would ever return,” he explains. “It is with great pride that I can now say to my father, the Brora community, and all the old hands that worked at Brora and helped to craft a legendary whisky, that the stills are alive, and we are making Brora spirit once again.”

Originally built in 1819, the distillery – named Clynelish until 1975 – has been through several periods of operation and closure. During its final years it was used to plug gaps of heavily peated whisky in the inventory of its owner, Distillers Company Ltd (which later became Diageo ), often during periods of drought on Islay , but notably from 1972 to 1974 when Caol Ila was being rebuilt. These changes resulted in a style that varies between waxy, fruity and coastal, to subtly smoky, to oily and heavily peated.

Brora was eventually closed in 1983, and although the site was left intact, as time passed by it was thought the distillery would never operate again. Then, in 2017, Diageo made a shock statement that it would be reopening both Brora and Port Ellen on Islay, which closed in the same year. With demand for the limited stocks of both whiskies soaring and room in its portfolio for a luxury brand of single malt Scotch, restoration work swiftly got underway.

It took a crack team of archivists, distillers and production experts years of research and careful renovation to bring Brora back to life. Diageo archivist Joanne McKerchar studied historical documents, including the original distillery plans from the 1890s, and interviewed past distillery workers to accurately restore Brora to its former glory.

“When we first opened the doors at Brora, we walked into a time capsule. As a historian and an archivist for malts, I had never seen anything like that before. It was unbelievable just how untouched it was: as if the guys had just finished their shift and walked out – but, of course, nobody then came back in,” says McKerchar.

Not only was the stillhouse completely rebuilt using local Brora stone, the original stills were sent to Diageo’s coppersmiths in Alloa to be hand refurbished. The distillery has even installed a traditional rake-and-plough mash tun and will process malted barley from Glen Ord maltings, just as it did in 1983. “We have gone to every effort 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,” says Bowman.

When it came to recreating Brora’s iconic spirit character, technical partner Donna Anderson and master blender Dr Jim Beveridge worked backwards from historic distilling specifications and tasting notes for the original new-make spirit. “Our whole ambition is to recreate the flavours that were being made at that time, almost as if the door closed yesterday and it’s just reopened,” Beveridge explains.

Although the first Brora spirit runs occurred at the end of March, Beveridge admits they’ve not quite captured the right style of spirit yet. “The flavours we’re working on just now are the background flavours, the light fruity flavours, and that will be overlaid with the smoke that we all associate with Brora,” he says.

Bowman, who will be responsible for the distillery’s day-to-day operation, agrees: “We’re not there with the spirit yet; it’s a journey. The character we’re going for that’s integral to Brora – that waxiness – is not an overnight character we can hit. Producing a liquid that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the releases we have at the moment which are so iconic is something I have a big aspiration to try and hit.”

Brora fans will be waiting some time to try the distillery’s new liquid, which won’t be released until it is “a considerable age”. As Beveridge says, “We’ll have to be very patient over the next few years as it slowly matures.” In the meantime, Diageo will continue releasing limited expressions of pre-1983 Brora, such as the £30,000 Triptych trio of 1972, 1977 and 1982 vintages launched this spring.

The distillery will also be operating tours by appointment from July – starting at £300 for a three-hour experience and including a tasting and light lunch – for those who really can’t wait to experience Brora in its new but historically faithful guise.

14 top sommeliers share their favourite books about wine

How to make The Connaught Bar Martini

Copenhagen’s cocktail scene keeps getting better

Six wine bars in Lisbon for the natural wine aficionado

The resurrection of port ellen, brora and rosebank.

Becky Paskin: A whisky’s true character comes from its social terroir

Scotch whisky: distillery originals vs independent bottlings

Club Oenologique Newsletter

Sign up for the latest in wine, spirits, food and travel, straight to your inbox

Online Store

• Latest News
• Whisky Weekend
• Instant Expert
• The Magazine
• M. Shanken Communications
• Join the Whisky Advocate Retailer Club
• Newsletters
• Advertise With Us

Brora Distillery Reopens: The Wildcat Awakens

May 20, 2021 –––––– Jonny McCormick , , , ,

With six taps of a golden hammer, Brora’s master distiller Stewart Bowman sealed the bung on cask 001—the first cask of Brora whisky to be laid down in more than 38 years. The iconic Brora Distillery in the Scottish Highlands reopened last week, ending a long silence that began with its shuttering in 1983. At a ceremony to mark the occasion, master blenders Jim Beveridge and Craig Wilson looked on as Diageo archivist Jo McKerchar recorded cask 001 in the distillery’s ledger—on the same page as the records from Brora’s last working day.

The distillery’s buildings are now once again alive with warmth and light, and filled with the aromas of a working Scottish malt producer. With the endangered Scottish wildcat as its emblem, Brora has tradition at its heart: it’s equipped with a rake and gear mash tun , the two original copper pot stills refurbished by hand, and their corresponding worm tubs . The restoration team scoured the stillmens’ records, appraised samples of remaining stocks, and gathered oral histories from former distillery workers to deliver continuity in regard to the distinctive waxiness, earthiness, and smoke that characterized the whiskeys of Brora’s glory years. The peated malt is being sourced from Glen Ord Maltings again, as was done in the old days. “It will be Brora, like it was then,” promises Beveridge.

Brora’s reputation as a single malt whisky is a relatively modern phenomenon. It has gathered momentum over the past 25 years, bolstered by its silent distillery status, to become a highly cherished collectible commanding robust prices at auction . The distillery was founded on an estate farm in 1819, and was known as Clynelish for much of its history. Under the eventual ownership of Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL), in 1969 it was renamed Brora, while the Clynelish name was transferred to a new, larger facility right next door. Brora kept chugging along, supplying DCL’s blending houses with smoky-style malt whisky for the company’s major blended brands, notably Buchanan’s and Dewar’s. Then came the difficult years for scotch whisky in the early 1980s, which led to many distillery closures across Scotland. DCL decided to concentrate production at the more modern, larger Clynelish rather than preserve a small operation like Brora, whose stills went cold on March 17, 1983. Although Brora had endured various periods of closure during the 20th century, none would compare to the 1983–2021 stretch, which equaled nearly 14,000 days of lost production.

Brora Distillery is using its traditional production methods and refurbished original pot stills.

To coincide with the restoration, this month Diageo released Brora Triptych , a set of three 500 ml bottles representing the defining 20th century Brora vintages ( see below ). Diageo has valued the 300 available sets of Brora Triptych at £9 million ($12.7m), and they are priced at £30,000 each (around $41,265).

Don’t expect Cask 001 to be bottled for many years, but Diageo will release a Brora Distillery-exclusive bottling and welcome a small number of visitors (by reservation only) starting in July. Diageo has confirmed that further stocks remain for future limited editions.

Brora’s reopening marks the culmination of a three-year restoration project that is part of a $50 million investment to reopen both Brora and the Islay distillery Port Ellen , Diageo’s two most famous ghost distilleries.

NOTES ON BRORA TRIPTYCH

Together, these incredible liquids are a time capsule of Brora’s history and symbolize a remarkable effort in restoring a scotch whisky icon.

Timeless Original is a Brora 38 year old 1982, 47.5% in refill American oak, showcasing that famous waxiness against lower peating levels, with aromas of vanilla cream, soft fruits, mango, sherbet, and dry grass and a creamy mouthfeel with subtle smoke, intense fruitiness, and a degree of waxiness.

Age of Peat , a Brora 43 year old 1977, 48.6% drawn from American and European oak refill casks, is a heavily peated expression with the smokiest nose of the set, delivering notes of honeyed stone fruit, church candles, dunnage, a touch of oils and lingering phenolic smoke.

Elusive Legacy , the oldest official release, is a Brora 48 year old 1972, 42.8% composed from five refill American and European oak casks. This is an incredibly complex, layered whisky that benefits from a drop or two of water and plenty of patience. Here, the smoke is more balanced than the 1977, and this heavier, earthy, oily dram boasts notes of lanolin cream, Spanish cedar humidor, and dried morels, with a mouth-coating buttery palate of baked stone fruits, charcoal sticks, and citrus with clove and peppery spices.

Image Credit:

The Cabrach, Speyside's Newest Distillery, Opens This Summer

Whisky Auction Update April 19th 2024: Macallan Gains the Upper Hand

The Compass Box Collector

Distillery Lists

Whisky fundementals, social links.

• Distilleries

Brora distillery

Brora whisky, house style.

At least until the reopening of Clynelish’s legendary neighbour distillery in the northern Highlands, Brora will remain one of the most sought-after collectors of whiskies worldwide. The closed distillery produced once oily, smoky and very maritime malt whisky. Only a handful of this distillery’s outturn exists today and are correspondingly priced.

Directly next to each other you will find the distilleries Clynelish and Brora. Clynelish and Brora are sister distilleries and share a common history. Brora means “river bridge”. The name is pronounced as it is written.While in Clynelish munter Whisky is produced, production in Brora has been silent for decades. This has made Brora bottlings coveted collector’s objects and created a loyal fan base. Now Brora is to be brought back to life. From 2020, the “resurrection” of the Brora Distillery will be completed and new Malt Whisky will mature in the warehouses.

How does Brora Single Malt taste? The previous Brora single malts are heavier than the typical Highland Malt. The malts belong in the category of smoky whisky. So they are more like Islay Whisky. How the “new” Brora will taste remains to be seen.

How will Brora Whisky be produced?After the distillery has been closed since 1983, it will be a challenge to reproduce the old Brora whisky. In this context, it will be crucial how much information about the distillation process of Brora will be available to the new team. The new Brora will be burnt with 20 ppm of torched malt on the two old pot stills still standing in the distillery. Only the Washbacks, a new Mashtun and the Wormtubs will be replaced.It is known that the new Brora Distillery is intended to produce around 800,000 litres of alcohol a year. If you want to compare the “new” and “old” Brora Whisky with one another, you will not only have to have a rare collector’s item at home, but also be allowed to tolerate some 14 years, since the new whisky will probably only be available with approx.

The story of Brora goes hand-in-hand with that of Clynelish. The two distilleries dates back to the year 1819. This year, George Granville founded Levison-Gower, the later Duke of Sutherland founded the Clynelish distillery. In 1930, DCL, the predecessor organization of Diageo, took over the distillery.

This original distillery was complimented in 1967 by a new building on the same site. One year later, it was decided to close the old distillery in the short term in favour of the more modern Clynelish B. In April 1969 Clynelish A went into operation again. As a result, a malt called Clynelish was produced in two distilleries for a while.

This, of course, led to some confusion, and subsequent legislationrequired the renameing of Clynelish A, thus Brora was born. Until 1983, Brora and Clynelish produced side by side, each with a malt in their own style. Brora producing a peated spirit, sadly with the slump of the 1980s and the recent expansion of Caol Ila Brora suffered a collapse in demand and in 1983, the final closure of Brora followed.

Until recently, the distillery buildings of Brora were used by Clynelish as warehouses. After Brora is hot-sought after collectors and whisky lovers, Brora is now to be brought to life. By 2020, Brora is expected to be able to resume production.

Brora factsheet

Brora timeline:.

1819 : Established by the Marquis of Stafford, later first Duke of Sutherland, as Clynelish Distillery to provide a use for the Barley grown by the tenants on his farms

1825-27 : First licensed to James Harper, Midlothian when bankrupt

1827-28 : John Matheson

1828-34 : James Harper

1834-46 : Lease was transferred to Andrew Ross

1846 : George Lawson took over

1878-96 : George Lawson & Sons

1896 : A half interest in the distillery was acquired by James Ainslie & Co., blenders from Glasgow. The other half being owned by John Risk, previously of Bankier Distillery

.... : Rebuilt

At turn of the century : After the whisky boom the distillery hardly survived

1912 : Taken over after James Ainslie & Co. went bankrupt by the Clynelish Distillery Co. Ltd., jointly owned by John Risk and the Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL)

1916 : John Walker & Sons Ltd. took a share

1925 : John Risk was bought out and the distillery became part of Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL)

by 1930 : Remaining share capital bought out and distillery transferred to Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd. (SMD)

1931-39 : Silent

1961 : Stills became steamheated

1967-1968 : A new Distillery was built and named Clynelish 2

1968 : Renamed to Clynelish 1 Distillery after completing the new distillery which was named Clynelish 2

1969 : Closed for seven years before being refurbished. Clynelish 1 renamed to Brora, Clynelish 2 to Clynelish. Two stills. Licensed to Ainslie & Heilbron (Distillers) Ltd., Glasgow

1983-May : Distillery closed

Can I tour Brora?

No, unfortunately Brora distillery is not open to the public for tours

«Bruichladdich

Brennerei Ziegler»

• Distilleries
• Distillery visit

Clynelish distillery

Share "clynelish distillery", description.

Clynelish distillery was established in 1819 and the Duke of Sutherland is to take all the credits. It is the only distillery in Sutherland. The distillery is situated in Brora, a popular holidaying location very close to Inverness.  Brora has charming views of the seas and hills and the Clynemilton burn erupts golden seams from within the rocks. It is this springs that supply the Clynelish Distillery with its water that is used in the production of the malt whisky from its 6 copper stills that are subjected to extensive blending.

There is 14-year-old Highland whisky made by this company and available at designated outlets with containers that are customized with the distillery’s ‘wildcat’ logo on it.

You can book private tours or come as a group and enjoy a memorable experience when you visit Clynelish Distillery and Visitors’ Centre.

Getting there: Clynelish is located just 1 mile northward of Brora and that’s if you’re using the A9 Inverness-Thurso road.

• Listing categories Amateur / Connoisseur
• Location / Region Highlands

Post New Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Secure Payment

Tullibardine distillery, share "tullibardine distillery", tomatin distillery, share "tomatin distillery", the famous grouse experience, share "the famous grouse experience", the borders distillery, share "the borders distillery", the balvenie distillery, share "the balvenie distillery", strathearn distillery, share "strathearn distillery", scapa distillery, share "scapa distillery", pulteney distillery, share "pulteney distillery", oban distillery, share "oban distillery", ncn’ean distillery, share "ncn’ean distillery".

Whisky Auctioneer

Search auction(s).

Our April auction ends Monday 6 May. Read here for information on how our auctions end . May Auction Bottle Deadline: 20th May.

• Latest News

Looking Forward: Brora Distillery Reopening in 2021

In 2021, the stills will be heated at Brora as the 'ghost' distillery prepares to come back to life...

Category: Features

By: Eilidh Jack Published: 19 Apr 2021 Updated: 9 May 2022

Back to news

[Photo credit: Diageo]

In October 2017, excitement reverberated the whisky world as it was announced that Brora would be meticulously brought back to life. Diageo revealed plans to a global audience that work would begin to restore the distillery and its stills would, in time, be brought back to life to create whisky once again. Thanks to the reception of the Special Releases and other expressions over the years, the decision to reopen Brora was made in response to both demand from existing enthusiasts, but also the strong growth in the single malt Scotch market. 

A distillery of great age and rich history, a comprehensive survey was carried out on the existing buildings to identify areas that would need repaired or completely rebuilt. Many of the original buildings will remain on site, however, a new still house, tun room and plant room will be assembled.  

The original copper stills that were sat in the distillery at the time of its closure, will once again have warm life breathed into them. The exact pair were sent to Diageo Abercrombie coppersmiths in Alloa for refurbishment before being returned to the new stillhouse to produce whisky under a new era of Brora. 

In order to remove the original stills, the distillery’s distinctive pagoda roof was removed and the still house painstakingly rebuilt, stone by stone, before the iconic pagoda was restored and reinstalled. 

"Brora was a very important distillery. The Diageo archive holds comprehensive and historic information on Brora which have been used to guide work in the new distillery. Cask ledgers, plans, old documents and information have been crucial to our work in bringing its return. We look forward to sharing the full restoration story, for the buildings and most importantly the whisky, once reopened next month." 

Joanne Mckerchar, Archivist at the Diageo Archives 

The stills are planned to produce in controlled quantities with a focus on replicating the same style of whisky and flavour profile that the distillery has become so dearly loved for. They are expected to distil around 800,000 litres of whisky per year, making Brora one of the smallest operated by Diageo (similar in size to Oban distillery).  

The distillery will also have a dedicated visitor centre to welcome visitors, creating a must-visit destination for whisky lovers making the pilgrimage to the Scottish Highlands. 

The Brora revival is being led by Stewart Bowman, a Brora native who has moved from Clynelish to become Master Distiller at Brora. Born in the town of Brora and with a long family connection to the distillery, Bowman has worked alongside a host of artisans, whisky-makers and archivists in the restoration of the distillery buildings and its whisky and will carefully oversee the creation of new Brora spirit upon its return. 

“The stories of Brora are woven into my own history and I am honoured to soon be able to share these stories with others. My father was an ‘old hand’ at the distillery, and I grew up in the village with the top of the distillery’s bell-tower visible from our kitchen window. In the years after Brora’s closure, I remember my father showing me the old cask ledgers and the records of those final casks distilled in 1983 and asking if Brora would return one day. It fills me with great pride that thirty-eight years after the doors of Brora closed, more casks will now be filled, and we will be able to welcome people once again to this special place. It is our commitment that we will do justice to the Brora of old and hope to welcome visitors to our restored home as soon as that is possible.” 

Stewart Bowman, Brora’s Master Distiller 

Diageo have said that Brora will produce a ‘medium-peated’ spirit, confirming that the new distillery will likely get its peated malt from the maltings at Glen Ord distillery, which already produces peated malt for Talisker and Clynelish. 

In celebration of the distillery’s return and upon completion of its restoration, Brora have announced a special release of three extremely rare single malt whiskies, ‘The Brora Triptych’. Each expression represents a distinct style of Brora’s proud and storied heritage, celebrating the revival of a Highland distillery that was lost, and then reborn as a collectors’ item. 

Elsewhere in news

• American Icons
• An Independent Approach
• Announcements
• Auction Highlights
• Collector's Corner
• Distilleries in the Spotlight
• In Conversation With..
• Industry News

Related news

A Complete Guide to Highland Park

We take a look at the history of Highland Park and some of the distillery's most collectible expressions...

The Early History of Brora Distillery

Head of Auction Content, Joe Wilson, explores the early foundations of the Clynelish distillery, now known as Brora.

The Resurgence of Irish Whiskey

Celebrating the recent fortune of the Irish whiskey industry.

Japanese Whisky 101: A Guide

In just under 100 years, Japan has established a renowned and world leading whisky industry. We explore the region's distilling history, iconic distilleries and collectible expressions...

Springbank: The distillery spearheading new growth in Campbeltown

Whisky Auctioneer's Head Curator and Spirit Specialist, Joe Wilson, takes a look at Springbank distillery and new growth in the Campbeltown region...

Ardbeg Heaven: Looking Back at the 1960s and 1970s

Looking back at some legendary expressions in Ardbeg's history...

Interested in Rum & Wine ?

Check out our monthly auctions

Brora Distillery reopens after a three year restoration

The celebrated sutherland distillery has reopened after an extensive restoration..

Scotch whisky history was made this month as restoration of the celebrated Brora distillery in Sutherland was completed.

Closed in 1983, the 202-year-old distillery was reawakened following a three-year restoration.

On 19 May, a small group of devoted Brora fans, collectors and enthusiasts gathered virtually around the world to celebrate the filling of the first cask and mark a new dawn for the distillery.

Originally known as Clynelish, production began in Brora Distillery on the north-east coast of Scotland in 1819 with the backing of the Marquess of Stafford.

In the late 1960s it was decided to expand production by building a new distillery, with the old distillery eventually being used to supply a need for heavily peated whisky for blending.

Between 1972-74 production of ‘Brora’ was in batches, becoming regular in 1975 when the distillery itself was officially renamed Brora. It was however only produced until 1983, when the distillery was closed.

Viewed as one of the lost icons of the whisky world, the distillery and whisky gained legendary status during its closed years.

Historic bottlings of Brora Single Malt Scotch Whisky found great acclaim amongst collectors with a bottle of Brora 1972 Limited Edition 40-Year-Old sold as part of Sotheby’s Ultimate Whisky Auction in 2019 for a distillery record of £54,450.

Master distiller Stewart Bowman, son of the last exciseman at Brora reopened the Brora wildcat gates and filled the first cask of spirit in more than 38 years.

The cask was carefully rolled through the courtyard to be housed in the distillery’s Warehouse Number One, home to the most precious relics of maturing Brora casks.

Stewart said: “In 1983 my father wrote in an old distillery ledger ‘Commencement of Brora Distillery silent season (undetermined period)’.

"Growing up in the village we often wondered whether Brora would ever return, but today we filled the first cask.

"It is with great pride that I can now say to my father, the Brora community, and all the ‘old hands’ that worked at Brora and helped to craft a legendary whisky, that the stills are alive and we are making Brora spirit once again.”

In 2017 it was announced that Diageo would restore Brora as a part of a £35 million investment to bring it and the equally iconic lost distillery of Port Ellen on Islay back to life, as a major commitment to Scotland and its communities.

Due to construction delays caused by the Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns have meant the Port Ellen isn't likely to open now until 2023.

Joanne McKerchar, Diageo archivist, played a crucial role working with the community to unlock key details from personal memories of past workers and their experiences at Brora before the time of closure.

Joanna said: “When we first opened the doors at Brora we walked into a time capsule.

"As a historian and an archivist for malts, I had never seen anything like that before. It was unbelievable just how untouched it was: as if the guys had just finished their shift and walked out - but, of course, nobody then came back in.

"What must they have been thinking the last time they flicked that light switch or they locked the doors not knowing whether we were ever going to see this place open again?

"You’re not just looking at stills or a physical building, it’s all of the emotion that would have went with that last day that suddenly comes flooding back and then that coupled with a big question: so what are we going to do now, and what lies ahead of us, and how are we going to achieve this?

"It was quite overwhelming.”

Joanna and Stewart worked alongside a host of specialists, whisky noses and archivists in the restoration of the distillery buildings and its prized spirit.

On the restoration process, Stewart commented: “We have gone to every effort 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.

"The original pair of Brora stills travelled 200 miles across Scotland to Diageo Abercrombie Coppersmiths in Alloa where they were refurbished by hand; we raised up the original pagoda roof to conduct intricate repairs, and rebuilt the stillhouse brick-by-brick using original Brora stone to restore this historic Victorian distillery.”

Fully committing to recreate the distilling processes of old, Brora will use a traditional rake and gear mash tun and use malted barley from Glen Ord maltings, exactly as it did in 1983.

The process of restoration extended beyond the physical buildings to the Brora spirit that has made the distillery so legendary.

Using a combination of the tasting notes for the original new make spirit, stills refurbished to exact historic specifications, material from the archives and more modern distilling knowledge, the restorers managed to replicate, as closely as possible, the way the distillery operated in 1983.

Celebrated whisky expert master blender Dr Jim Beveridge OBE worked closely with technical partner Donna Anderson to restore Brora’s spirit.

Dr Jim said: “It was a wonderful challenge – one of the most rewarding that I have faced in my career as a whisky maker.

"When I heard of the plans to bring Brora back, I recalled tasting Brora stocks of the 1980s - one of my early jobs at Diageo many years ago.

"By sampling remaining old stocks of Brora and using historic tasting notes, we slowly built a picture.

"With my colleague Donna Anderson, we were able to make this vision of the liquid a reality by reverse-engineering the production process.

"It is our hope that we have safeguarded that beautiful Brora spirit character for generations to come.”

Along the restoration journey that lasted over three years, findings of documents led to Brora’s distilling secrets being revealed.

Joanna McKerchar added:, “As part of that first walkaround we found records which happened to be the original Charles Doig distillery plans from the 1890s.

"Until we found these plans we didn’t understand how the distillery had evolved over its 200 years of operation.

"It allowed us to map that out which allowed the full team of restorers to understand how the distillery would have run then, informing how it should run for years to come.”

As a jewel in the crown of Diageo’s distilleries across Scotland and one of its smallest, Brora will produce carefully controlled quantities of spirit, up to approximately 800,000 litres a year.

The distillery will also be a carbon neutral site, powered entirely by on-site renewable energy.

One of the latest releases from the distillery, unveiled in April, is the Brora Triptych : a three-piece collection of extremely rare Single Malt whiskies each representing a distinct style of Brora’s proud and storied heritage.

Brora Triptych will now be available to purchase, alongside the first in a new distillery exclusive bottling only available at Brora’s newly restored home, The Brora Distillery Collection: Hidden Beneath, a Brora 1982 39-Year-Old.

Brora will welcome visitors in small numbers by-appointment from July onwards, bookable their website .

Master Distiller Stewart Bowman explained what he hopes visitors will feel when they arrive, saying: "When people walk into Brora distillery, I want them to feel a connection to the past; to be able to understand the history of the place and to understand why we’ve put the distillery back together in the way that we have so that we can continue its legacy into future generations."

The Scotsman

Get in touch.

The magnificent town of Brora, Scotland, is home to a shocking amount of attractions – appropriate for the ‘Electric City’! The region was once a place of industry, home to many distilleries and stone quarries, which all now serve as excellent attractions along with the many other things to do in Brora.

Brora’s history makes it a fascinating place to visit, and its excellent industry allowed it to be the first town in the north of the country to have electricity! Whether you intend to head north to John o’Groats or south to the bustling city of Inverness, Brora is an excellent base with all the accommodation and amenities you could ever want.

In This Post

Things to do in Brora

Brora is famous for its remarkable attractions and stunning coastline, but there are plenty more features to discover in and around this town.

Places like Brora Beach are the envy of many towns in the Highlands, and its proximity to beautiful heritage sites like Dunrobin Castle & Garden, the Community Woodland, and Cairn Liath give the chance to fully immerse yourself in Scottish history.

There’s much to see and do, so read on for the top things to do in Brora.

Dunrobin Castle & Gardens

The stately home of Dunrobin Castle & Gardens is an absolute must-see attraction near Brora.

Following the A9 down the east coast from Brora, it’s hard to miss this impressive castle situated overlooking the coastline. The Castle and Gardens are a joy to explore, and you can enjoy guided tours within the castle’s vintage furniture and artefacts.

Don’t miss the falconry show either – kids, especially, will love it!

Brora Beach

The unspoilt Brora Beach is a tranquil treat that sits next to the harbour of Brora.

If you find yourself enjoying a warm summer day, then you won’t regret a trip here. There’s even a chance you’ll meet with curious Highland cattle who’ve also come to enjoy the waters.

Keep your eyes sharp and could see dolphins and whales breaching the waters!

The historic site of Carn Liath presents one of the best examples of an Iron Age Broch within East Sutherland.

The broch can be found along the A7 just before Dunrobin, making it a great attraction to fit into a day of sightseeing. The settlement’s design and structure give you a look into the past, with rare surviving art pieces and earthworks that complement the experience.

Brora Heritage Centre

The Brora Heritage Centre is one of the best attractions for visitors arriving in town.

At this cosy museum, you can discover curious facts about the village, like how the name Brora stems from the Norse description of ‘River with a Bridge’.

You can explore Brora’s history, from its Norse occupation to its industrial heights and up until today! Local volunteers are happy to inform you of the links to long-lost nobility and the best locations to visit while on Brora.

Brora Golf Course

With beautiful views of the Firth of Clyde, the Brora Golf Club presents a skill challenge to any golfer who undertakes it.

The 18 holes of Brora Golf Club are perfectly placed alongside Brora’s beaches, treating you to a beautiful view as you tee off. The golf course was designed by James Braid and is considered one of his finest works – care to put that assertion to the test?

Check out their website for more information about James Braid and Brora Golf Club.

See Loch Brora

Providing a peaceful sanctuary away from civilisation, Loch Brora is a welcome trail for those interested in cycling and walking.

Just follow the River Brora deep into the Scottish Highlands, and you’ll find this picturesque loch with a huge variety of wildlife in the local area. Whether it’s for trail walking or a spot of fishing, Loch Brora is a quality attraction suitable for all ages!

Crakaig Beach

One of the many hidden gems near Brora is the shore of Crakaig, accessible through an adventurous rough track – bring your offroad vehicles!

Once you navigate the tumbling road, however, you can enjoy a secluded shore rarely touched or visited by tourists. And with gorgeous sea views unto the Firth of Clyde, there’s no better place to appreciate the sunset after a long day.

Duke of Sutherland Monument

The towering Duke of Sutherland Monument looks out from atop one of Sutherland’s many hills, daring visitors to summit the steep hike.

The monument is impressive, reaching about 30 metres tall and easily seen from the surrounding region. The top grants stunning views of the Highlands and the nearby village of Golspie – but make sure to come prepared for an adventurous hike.

Golspie Beach

You should always include the nearby town of Golspie in any trip to Brora.

Not only is the village quaint and friendly, but its beaches are also a great way to spend a beautiful day by the sea. Whether it’s for a picnic or some time in the sun, the shores near Golspie offer a great place to relax – just what a holiday was meant for.

Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

This national reserve is a nature lover’s delight and perfect for anyone wanting to see the breadth and width of wildlife in Scotland.

Whether you’re interested in seeing the diverse flowers and flora, the plethora of birds, and even otters, this nature reserve accommodates all! These magnificent sights are a walking tour away and show off a part of Scotland that not many get to see.

Clynelish Distillery

On the search for a fine dram of whisky while in Brora? Look no further than a trip to the Clynelish Distillery!

This attraction is a stone’s throw away from Brora and treats you to fantastic tours of their exceptional distillery facilities. Make sure to cap it off with a tasting of Clynelish’s finest brews, and you’ll be coming back again and again to sample their curated collection.

We certainly won’t blame you for taking a bottle or two home with you.

Other Things To Do in Highlands

• Things to do in Arisaig
• Things to do in Aviemore
• Things to do in Beauly
• Things to do in Caithness
• Things to do in Carrbridge
• Things to do in Drumnadrochit
• Things to do in Fort Augustus
• Things to do in Fort William
• Things to do in Gairloch
• Things to do in Invergordon
• Things to do in Inverness
• Things to do in Kingussie
• Things to do in Kyle of Lochalsh
• Things to do in Lochinver
• Things to do in Loch Ness
• Things to do in Nairn
• Things to do in Newtonmore
• Things to do in Strathpeffer
• Things to do in Thurso
• Things to do in Ullapool
• Things to do in Wick

Graham Grieve

Support this blog 💙.

• Log In Log In Stay logged in Login with facebook Login with Google/YouTube Forgot your password? Register as a new member
• Information Info
• Forum Forum
• Database W-DB
• Flavour Search
• My Collection
• Whisky.com Award
• Gourmet Award

The distillery was founded under the Name Clynelish by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819. It closed in 1983, but started production again 38 years later after a major renovation by owner Diageo.

Due to the closing in 1983 the amount of Brora Whiskies is very limited. Today the most available bottles are vintages of the 70s and 80s with about 15 to 35 years of maturation. The distillery character is a lightly peated Highland Scotch. There are still quite a lot of independent bottlings of the distillery.

Brora used to supply the Blended Whisky industry but only for a short period of time. Since 2021, production at Brora has been running again after an extensive renovation. In the process, an attempt is being made to obtain a new make spirit that replicates the original distillate from before the closure. 

The Production

During the renovation in 2021, some of the original production items were refurbished, others had to be replaced completely. The water for production comes from the burn that flows directly past the distillery. Brora is not a Gaelic name but a Scandinavian one from the Vikings and means as much as 'the bridge over the water' - based on the bridge at the distillery site. 

The malt for Brora Whiskies comes from malt houses in the south of Scotland. At the partner distillery Clynelish, non-peated Whisky is produced, whereas at Brora there is some smoke in the nevertheless fruity new make spirit. The mash tun is still the old cast iron one from the original distillery. They only had to repair a few spots and replace the lid. The washbacks are a different story: the old wooden fermentation vats dried out over time and started to leak. So brand new washbacks were built for the reopening. 

The Pot Stills

Brora's former stills are still in place and can now be reused for distillation after refurbishment. The wash still and the spirit still are both the same size. They have a volume of 13,500 litres. Both stills have a reflux bowl. Brora's former stills are still in place and can now be reused for distillation after refurbishment. The fact that the old pot stills can still be operated has the advantage that the former new make spirit can be produced more easily. In the Diageo archive, there are still bottles with the old new make, so that the new one can be adjusted to taste exactly like the original. 

The Warehouse

The warehouses of the Brora Distillery.The warehouses are all flat dunnages with heavy bricked walls, which is typical for the slow maturing Scotch Whisky.

The distillery was founded under the Name Clynelish by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819. In 1967 the new Clynelish distillery was built, and the old Clynelish was renamed to Brora distillery. In 1983 Brora was closed and the only things that were still used were the warehouses. Since May 2021, Whisky spirit has once again been flowing through the (original, mind you!) stills of Brora, after the owner Diageo invested in a comprehensive renovation.

The Visitor Centre

You can visit the distillery via the Clynelish distillery.

Brora Distillery (Clynelish Distillery) Brora Sutherland KW9 6LR Tel: +44 (0)1408-623000 clynelish.distillery@ remove-this. diageo.com  

User Notes about the Distillery

Share your experience with other whisky lovers. Write a note about your trip to the Brora distillery.

FAQ AGB-Community Environmental Protection Privacy Notice Sitemap Contact Us Imprint

Copyright © 1994-2024 · Whisky .com Media GmbH & Co. KG Am Grundwassersee 4 · 82402 Seeshaupt · Germany

We discourage alcohol misuse. Please drink responsibly.

Whisky.de received the following quality seals:

German E-Commerce and Mail Order Association

Seal of approval for better customer data protection

Saving resources with Whisky.de / Whisky.com

• Legal Notice
• Privacy Policy

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Availability Search for  Brora

Terms & conditions.

This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party.

Glyn Satterley, all rights reserved.

Placed perfectly on the magnificent east coast of Sutherland, the small village of Brora boasts a prime golf location.

This small village between Dornoch and Wick is a great base for a number of superb golf courses in the area, and for touring Caithness and Sutherland. Brora beach is a small golden sandy beach with Jurassic rocks and sloping sea front. This rural and unspoilt beach is great for wildlife watching. You'll find regular appearances of dolphins, minke whales, and grey and common seals off the coastline and it's an ideal place for walking and picnics too!

Cookies are required to view this content. Change your preferences at Manage Cookie Settings

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

What's Nearby

Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.

• Food & Drink
• Wine & Spirits

Brora Reopens Doors to the Past, Ready for the Future

Scotland's famous ghost distillery comes back to life following a multi-million dollar restoration.

By Alex Martin

When the restoration team first walked into the famous Brora whisky distillery three years ago, it appeared as if time had stood still. Production had stopped suddenly in 1983 and workers had simply downed their tools and walked away. The team set about bringing Scotland’s most fabled ghost distillery back from the dead. This week, the resurrection was complete. The first cask was filled and a new era began.

Brora’s legendary reputation is the symbol of Scotch whisky’s great revival over the last decade. It closed in 1983 due to oversupply and underwhelming demand. Unbeknownst to distillers at the time, a large proportion of Brora’s leftover stock would age beautifully. At the same time, demand for aged single malts rose rapidly. As the demand went up and supply went down, the price sky-rocketed. Today, the last remaining bottles from Brora’s original stocks sell for tens of thousands of dollars (the most recent release, the Triptych collection , is priced at $41,400).

In 2017, owning company Diageo invested $43m to bring Brora  and its Islay counterpart Port Ellen back into working condition. With demand soaring, it might have seemed like a no-brainer, but the task ahead was huge. Not only did Diageo have to assemble a team who could rebuild the distillery and recreate the same spirit that whisky connoisseurs have come to cherish, but it would also have to make it fit for a long future ahead.

A view from above of the Brora distillery / ©Diageo

Stewart Bowman, the new master distiller whose father worked at the distillery before it closed in 1983, was the perfect man for the job. He said: “In 1983, my father wrote in an old distillery ledger ‘Commencement of Brora Distillery silent season (undetermined period)’. Growing up in the village we often wondered whether Brora would ever return, but today we filled the first cask. It is with great pride that I can now say to my father, the Brora community, and all the ‘old hands’ that worked at Brora and helped to craft a legendary whisky, that the stills are alive and we are making Brora spirit once again.”

Working alongside whisky archivist Joanne McKerchar, Bowman sought to discover how Brora was made at a time when record-keeping was patchy at best. Combing through ledgers and interviewing workers who still live in the local town, the pair were able to unlock key details that should help them recreate the same spirit that it once did.

McKerchar said: “When we first opened the doors at Brora we walked into a time capsule. As a historian and an archivist for malts, I had never seen anything like that before. It was unbelievable just how untouched it was: as if the guys had just finished their shift and walked out – but, of course, nobody then came back in. What must they have been thinking the last time they flicked that light switch or they locked the doors not knowing whether we were ever going to see this place open again? You’re not just looking at stills or a physical building, it’s all of the emotion that would have went with that last day that suddenly comes flooding back and then that coupled with a big question: so what are we going to do now, and what lies ahead of us, and how are we going to achieve this? It was quite overwhelming.”

The Dirty Highlands by Mijenta Tequila

Midleton Very Rare Reveals Silent Distillery Chapter 5 Whiskey

The Last Drop Distillers Reveals 2024 Collection

[See also: It’s Still Not Too Late to Invest in Scotch Whisky]

No expense was spared in Diageo’s efforts to recreate every detail of the original distillation process. Diageo transported the original stills hundreds of miles across Scotland to its Abercrombie Coppersmiths to have them refurbished by skilled hands, the original stillhouse was rebuilt brick-by-brick and it also installed a traditional rake and gear mash tun to mimic the exact process from 1983.

The rebuild, of course, is only part of the challenge. Now, it is time for Bowman’s work to begin in earnest. Only time will tell whether the efforts have been worthwhile. Bowman, who filled the first cask just this week, reminded a group of select journalists that we will not be seeing a bottle of new-era Brora on the shelves for some time yet. There is no plan when it comes to a future release. The whisky will ultimately decide that. Indeed, Diageo has no intention of turning the distillery into a center of mass production. Instead, it will be carefully controlled, building up to a maximum of 800,000 liters a year.

Content from our partners

Sky High Gourmet: Qatar Executive’s Impressive Dining

The Best Family-friendly Vacation Destinations in Spain

El Paso: History, Nature, Culture and 302 Days of Sunshine

The pagoda at Brora distillery / ©Diageo

These limited quantities will hedge the bets as Diageo waits to see if this new-aged spirit lives up to high expectations. It is all part of a long-term plan to ensure the site remains sustainable. And although so much effort has been put into rebuilding the past, the distillery is fit for the future. The entire site is carbon neutral, running entirely off on-site renewable energy. This not only helps to lower the business’s operating costs but keeps it in line with the industry’s goal of becoming completely carbon neutral by 2040.

[See also: The Best Scotch Whisky Brands in the World]

Brora, a small town sitting on the shores of the North Sea, will also reap economic benefits from the inevitable influx of whisky pilgrims. The distillery has already announced two immersive tours for when the doors open to outside visitors in July. The Eras of Brora ($850 per person) not only includes an extensive tasting session but also grants access to the key craftspeople behind the distillery’s success.

Brora Triptych is available for purchase globally at the distillery and from its website  for an RRP of £30,000 ($41,400).

Alex Martin

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

• The Old Croft and prices
• The Paddock and prices
• Top 20 things to do
• Dates for your Diary
• Getting Here

Only one hundred yards from the beach and thirty  yards from the 12th tee of Brora Golf Course, these cottages can accommodate six people in each or up to 12, if taken together. READ MORE

Positioned a few minutes away from the centre of the village by car, these holiday lets also offer a central base for touring the Highlands. The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is only 15 miles away and Golspie six. Day trips to Ullapool, John O’Groats and Orkney may also be on your to do list and golfing itineraries taking in Royal Dornoch, Tain, Golspie and Brora Golf Clubs are popular.

Brora is a small but beautiful Highland village equipped with all you’d need to really make your holiday, including a golf course frequented by Open Champion winners such as Peter Thompson and Paul Lawrie, The local working distillery produces both a Brora and a Clynelish malt whisky and both are internationally renowned. Recently there has been a lot of publicity about Route 500, so many great places to visit whilst staying in Brora.

www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/driving-road-trips/north-coast-500/

Remember to drop in  the world-famous ice-cream shop – Capaldi’s of Brora.

And of course there’s the usual array of local shops including a pharmacy, newsagent and grocers.

Dalchalm is nestled just outside the village centre with easy and picturesque walks right on your doorstep. The well-lit and quiet streets mean it’s only the waves crashing that might keep you awake at night.

Find out more about The Old Croft  and prices and The Paddock  and prices here. Travel The Road which Tells Scotland’s Story!

Scotland is celebrating the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology (#HHA2017) this year, and whilst the route may be famed for gorgeous sandy beaches, mountainous landscapes and sweeping coastal views, the NC500 also has a huge number of incredible historical sites of interest.

For those interested in Scotland’s prehistory, be sure to check out Caithness Broch Project’s fantastic map, which features 18 amazing archaeological sites you can expect to encounter along the way!

For availability call 07754299519 or 07734544990

The Paddock

The old croft, top 20 things to do.

Brora Scotch whisky distillery reopens after 38 years

Among the list of Scotch distilleries that were closed during the whisky downturn of the 1980s, a handful have been mourned across the ensuing decades. Brora was one of that small number, known as ghost distilleries, whose whiskies became increasingly sought-after by connoisseurs.

In 2017 an original Brora single malt distilled in 1972 – the oldest official bottle of Brora at that time – was bought at auction by an unnamed buyer for £14,500.

So there was much jubilation when Diageo announced plans to restore the Highland distillery. Less than three years after that announcement, the first cask has just been filled, 38 years after Brora last closed its doors.

Master Distiller Stewart Bowman, who grew up in Brora and is the son of the last exciseman at the distillery, said: ‘In 1983 my father wrote in an old distillery ledger, “Commencement of Brora Distillery silent season (undetermined period)”. Growing up in the village we often wondered whether Brora would ever return, but today we filled the first cask,’ he added.

‘It is with great pride that I can now say to my father, the Brora community, and all the old hands that worked at Brora and helped to craft a legendary whisky, that the stills are alive and we are making Brora spirit once again.’

The restoration at Brora is part of a total £35 million investment by Diageo, which also includes plans to reopen Islay distillery Port Ellen in 2023.

Brora Triptych

To mark the reopening of Brora, a special release of three bottles called Brora Triptych has been created. It costs £30,000 and celebrates some of the distillery’s most iconic whisky styles.

Elusive Legacy is a 48-year-old distilled in 1972. It represents an earthy expression of Brora that was only made in very limited runs. Age of Peat is drawn from casks of 1977 whisky, a time when Brora was making smoky expressions to be used in blended Scotch. Finally, Timeless Original was distilled in 1982 and is a nod to the waxy character that made Brora famous.

Sold in a presentation case, Brora Triptych is a fitting celebration of a new chapter in the distillery’s eventful history.

Brora Triptych: tasting notes

Timeless original, distilled 1982.

Celebrating the famously waxy style of Brora, this expression has a deliciously rich, fruity nose of orchard fruits and mangoes, candle wax, honeysuckle and apple blossom. The waxiness is present on the palate, coating the mouth. Apple slices, flapjack and fresh wood shavings are joined by a lick of smoke on the mid-palate, which is quickly joined by beer hops too. Alc 47.5%

The Age of Peat, Distilled 1977

Despite celebrating an era when the distillery increased the peat levels of its malted barley, this certainly is no peat monster. A beguiling nose of papaya, chamois leather, foam banana sweets, bandages, heather and a gentle smoke drifting on the breeze. Tasting reveals a dichotomy of a whisky – on the one hand soft and sweet, with heather honey and a touch of waxiness; and on the other delicious chewy notes of charcoal, creosote, sticky pine resin and a warming chilli heat. Alc 48.5%

Elusive Legacy, Distilled 1972

The oldest Brora expression ever released, this whisky celebrates the earthy style that Brora sometimes made at a time when it was used for blended whiskies. A distinctly granitic aroma is joined by notes of cheese rind, tack room, peppered biltong and ripe banana. The granite continues on the complex palate, accompanied by cigar box spice, coal, dried chilli flakes, cardamom and a whisper of salami on the finish. Alc 42.8%

£30,000/3 x 50cl, www.brora.com

You might also like:

New-wave scotch distilleries – plus five bottles to try , whisky for investment: eight of the best, glenmorangie launches rare us$2,430 whisky with sonoma-cutrer, latest wine news, christie’s to auction ‘last treasures’ of avery family wine cellar, rathfinny wine estate releases uk’s first 50cl sparkling wine, pernod ricard to acquire 280-hectare provence estate.