Brora 40 YO is Diageo’s most expensive whisky ever

Diageo has released just 160 bottles of a Brora 40 Year Old, which at £6,995 is its most expensive single malt whisky release to date.

Brora 40 Year Old is the oldest whisky from the mothballed distillery, and the most expensive single malt from Diageo to date

Despite the closure of the Brora distillery in 1983, some of its single malt whisky has been slowly maturing in a Scottish warehouse and has now been bottled for the first time as Brora 40 Year Old – the oldest and rarest Brora to date and the most expensive single malt whisky ever released by Diageo.

The rare expression has been drawn from what Diageo considers to be “the most brilliant of its highly-peated bottlings”, the 1972 reserve, and has a natural cask strength of 59.1%.

The 40-year-old expression is described as offering flavours of concentrated wood-smoke and ash with soothing honey, a hint of liquorice and toasted hazelnut.

“We are confident that the supreme quality and rare nature of this whisky will delight and excite single malt collectors and aficionados who will want to add a bottle of this prestigious whisky to their prized collection,” said Steve White, global marketing director of Diageo global travel and Middle East.

Packaged to reflect the “true quality, craftsmanship and luxury credentials” of the rare release, the decanter is presented in a handcrafted wooden case, created by the Queen’s cabinet makers at N.E.J. Stevenson Ltd.

The emblem of the Scottish wildcat – the legendary guardian of the closed Brora distillery and crest of the distiller’s founder, the Duke of Sutherland – has been embossed on the front.

Its crystal stopper is engraved with the number 40 while the copper neck of the decanter has the distillation year 1972.

David de Miguel, global head of liquor at World Duty Free Group, said: “It’s great to be partnering with Diageo on this worldwide exclusive malt whisky launch, which showcases our ability to consistently offer a range of unique whiskies across our stores.

“The exceptional quality of this rare whisky will attract and intrigue whisky connoisseurs, helping to highlight our reputation as whisky specialists with the finest expertise.”

Brora 40 Year Old is now available for pre-order exclusively at www.worldofwhiskies.com at an RRP of £6,995 per 700ml bottle.

Orders will be available for collection from selected UK World of Whiskies and World Duty Free Group stores from 21 April.