Brora Distillery: The Ghost Distillery Brought Back to Life

Overview

Brora is one of the most romantic stories in modern Scotch: a legendary “ghost” distillery, silent since 1983, whose rare old bottlings became some of the most sought-after (and expensive) whisky in the world — and which Diageo painstakingly restored and reopened in 2021 after nearly four decades of silence.

The history

The distillery was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford (later the 1st Duke of Sutherland). For years it ran as part of neighbouring Clynelish, taking the name Brora in 1969 and making a famously waxy, peaty malt before it was mothballed in 1983. Its scarce old stock became the stuff of legend, and in 2021 Diageo brought the original distillery back to life, recreating its character still by still.

The water & the land

Brora draws on the Clynemilton Burn, running off mineral-rich rock said to carry particles of gold.

Brora was founded on the Sutherland estate by the Marquess of Stafford, during the era of the Highland Clearances — the same sombre history it shares with neighbouring Clynelish, in the country of Clan Sutherland.

Visiting

Brora offers an exclusive, by-appointment-only visitor experience — premium tours that must be booked well ahead; check the website. It sits right beside Clynelish at Brora.

Nearby & more whisky

• Its sister distillery next door: Clynelish
• The Sutherland country: Clan Sutherland
• The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide

Sources

• Brora distillery — Wikipedia.
• Diageo / Malts.com.