Review by: Raygun

One of the newer generation of distilleries, opening in 1972 as Braes of Glenlivet. The name change happened in 1994, and one suspects a lawsuit or the threat of one had something to do with it. Now owned by Pernod Ricard, it probably mostly goes to Ballantine’s or Chivas Regal because they barely release any as single malt. I haven’t had many, but enjoyed the few I’ve tried, a different SMWS bottle especially. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

---

Distillery: Braeval

Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society  

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch 

ABV: 53.5%. Cask strength

Age: 16 years. 

Cask type: 13 years in a first-fill bourbon barrel followed by 3 years in a STR oloroso barrique

Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

---

Nose: Boozy and rather Cognac-like. Strongly oaky and dripping caramel. Cinnamon, orange, maple syrup, and damp earth. Somehow even more caramel with water.                    

Palate: Very dessert-y. Creme caramel, maraschino cherry, orange zest. A big hit of oak that must be the STR cask talking. Still reminds me of Cognac. Graham crackers, maple syrup, chocolate, and cinnamon. Pretty hot here, too.  

Finish: Heavy on the caramel and maple syrup. More graham crackers. Majorly oaky as before, and pretty drying. Touches of fruit tea and Mexican hot chocolate.   

---

Conclusion: I’ve been a little suspicious of the SWMS trend toward heavy finishes. If the whisky was that good to begin with, why the need to throw it in another cask to finish it? In this particular case, I can’t argue with the results. My previous Braeval experiences were all bourbon casks (I think). Not too much common character than I can detect, but this is tasty. Even if it comes across like Cognac. It is an oaky one. Not the sort of thing I’d reach for all the time, but fun now and again.

Score: 83

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)