This 16-year-old Braeval was given a 12-month finish in a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, bringing renewed energy to the mature Speyside spirit. Vanilla, toffee and citrus sit beside a fuller, oily texture, while oak and white pepper hold the sweetness in check. The finishing cask adds definition without attempting to disguise the whisky’s age or distillery character.
Tasting notes
Cereal
Citrus
Nose
On the nose there is buttered popcorn, pencil shavings and mandarin.
Palate
A mouthfeel that is both juicy and oily, with flavours of toffee, vanilla, cherry and flapjack.
Finish
Orange and white pepper lend a bold finish.
The distillery
Braeval
Braeval Distillery was established in 1973 by Chivas Brothers in the remote Braes of Glenlivet area of Speyside. Originally known as Braes of Glenlivet, the distillery was renamed Braeval in 1994 to avoid confusion with another well-known Speyside distillery.
The distillery's six stills are designed to encourage greater reflux, producing a light and elegant spirit with subtle floral notes. Extended fermentation further contributes to the fruity style of the new make spirit. The resulting whisky has a gentle malt character with orchard fruit notes and a honeyed sweetness.
Less commonly encountered as a single malt, Braeval is a rewarding spirit to work with, responding particularly well to extended maturation and developing additional complexity while retaining the distillery's refined Speyside style.
The Speyside whisky producing region, centred on the River Spey, is home to the greatest concentration of whisky distilleries in the world. The region benefits from abundant water sources, a long-standing whisky making tradition and favourable conditions for maturation.
More than fifty distilleries operate throughout the region, producing a wide variety of single malt whiskies. While styles vary between distilleries, Speyside whiskies are often associated with approachable, fruit driven flavour profiles. The region also has a longstanding association with sherry cask maturation, which contributes to the diversity of styles found.
We seek Speyside whisky for its exceptional diversity. From delicate and floral spirits to richer, more robust styles, the region offers a broad spectrum of character that responds well to a variety of maturation approaches. Many of the region's richer spirits are particularly well suited to long term maturation, developing depth and complexity with age.
Customer reviews
Full specification
Category
Single malt Scotch whisky
Distillery
Braeval
Region
Speyside
Country
Scotland
Age
16 years
Distilled
11 February 2009
Bottled
2025
Strength
62.0% ABV
Bottle size
70 cl
Original outturn
195 bottles
Cask number
9504
Cask
1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel
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