Lombard “Jewels of Scotland” (distilled at Brora), 1982 vintage, 50%, $200
Bottled in 2004, but just recently put in circulation here in the U.S. (Very strange.) It’s worth the wait. It’s fresh (even at 22 years old), appetizing, spicy, and briny. There’s a sweet foundation of vanilla wafer and caramel, with a slightly oily texture. White pepper, seaweed, mustard seed, lime, gherkin and teasing gin botanicals add complexity. Spicy, salty finish. A vibrant, dynamic expression of the shuttered original Clynelish distillery. Quite stunning, actually. Find yourself a bottle before they’re gone!
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 95
“There’s a sweet foundation of vanilla waver and caramel, with a slightly oily texture.”
Ha ha! Of course you mean “vanilla waiver”.
MrTH, Actually I meant “vanilla wafer”. It’s fixed.
Any idea where it is available, I haven’t seen it in the Chicago area
DavidG: Try New York area. I got the sample from the rep there.
Hi John,
Like DavidG, I’m in the Chicago area.
Ive heard that Lombard also has a Jewels of Scotland Springbank 1969 being released.
Do you know who does the distribution for Lombard in the States and where I can get info on availability and price?
Thanks,
Mike”Its our 40th Anniversary” Dereszynski
Sounds great and what a refreshingly fair price. I’d love to get a hold of some, but unfortunately my hook-up in the boston area says that Lombard is sometimes tough to bring in.
You can try Valley Wine & Spirits in NJ they have it for $179.99. You can also get it at Schneiders of Capitol Hill in DC , they have it for $199.99.
And I recently did get a bottle from Schneider’s, Anjana. Thanks!
Thanks Anjana, that’s much appreciated. I have an uncle that lives down in Silver Springs MD so maybe I can work this out after all.
I saw this bottle years ago on the shelves at Sams. I had tasted it at the Lombard table at Whiskyfest NY in 2005, and it was pretty good (the real standout for Lombard that year was their 1973 Dailuaine). I checked the Sams site and Lombard Brora was not listed but they did list a 1981 Brora 21 yo Old Malt Cask at original 2003 price ($99.99). I thought that this was too good to be true, so I called Sams and one of their sales staff checked it out – and as suspected, too good to be true!
Todd, you have a good memory (or take great notes!). It’s time to grab any good Broras or Port Ellens that are still out there at a “reasonable” price.
How does it compare with the official 30 years old, 2007 release (equally rated at 95) ? I am a little surprised that a 1982 Brora (distilled when the best Brora years were passed) fethced such a high score. I have tried ’81 and ’82 Broras (from Signatory for example) and, while I found them good indeed, I did not rate them as outstanding
Andre, I have not done a side-by-side with the official 30 Brora, but I was really impressed by both. If you have the official 30, you’re in good shape.
Yes, I have been lucky enough to enjoy a 30 yo Brora (the 2004 version, however) and has been great..but almost finished. Wonder what to replace it with, the 2007 Brora 30 at $ 350 or the Lombard at half that price ?
Andre: Well, you know that you like the 30 Brora, so I suggest you stick with that one. Beside, it’s cask strength, right? That helps to justify the price a little bit.
Andre, the Broras of 1972-77 tend to be peatier than the later ones until closure, but there are still some sweet stunners of the last years
[...] Lombard-Chibnall noticed my favorable review of his Brora a while back here. He also read some of your additional comments and queries about the Lombard line [...]
[...] bottled years ago getting into circulation here in the U.S. I reviewed a lovely brora bottling here back in April. Here are two more. This first one is an excellent Springbank. The next one is a very [...]