September 7, 2015

Two indie Braeval 1992

Braeval aka Braes of Glenlivet has always been taken for an underdog, but true connoisseurs (whoof) have been in the know since Signatory issued some lovely sherried ones quite a few years ago: the whisky can be great. But we’ll rather have some ex-bourbon ones today…

Braes of Glenlivet 20 yo 1994/2015 (50.4%, Chapter 7, bourbon barrel, cask #165681, 172 bottles)

This one’s brand new. Love the minimalist packaging, by the way. Colour: pale gold. Nose: old style! A bit raw, pretty grassy and grainy, with faint notes of ‘good’ rubber and crushed almonds, then rather ink and plasticine. It’s got the fatness of, well, true malt whisky. Also a little ale. With water: vanilla-infused ale indeed. And custard. Mouth (neat): pure malty goodness, rounder than expected, more vanilla-ed, creamier, with a few slices of ripe banana, pears, and a little crystallised orange. Some sides remind me of Glenmorangie. With water: very good for sure, natural malt whisky, full, creamy, and perfectly barleyish. Finish: quite long, always creamy. Vanilla, a little sweet oak, some grass. Comments: a kind of perfect anti-blend, I’m all for it. SGP:541 - 83 points.

Braeval 18 yo 1994/2013 (55.3%, Tasting Fellows, barrel, cask #165661, 170 bottles)

A sister cask, obviously. Colour: pale gold. Nose: same, word for word and aroma for aroma. Even the extra-5% vol. don’t feel. Okay, perhaps a wee bit more marzipan in this one. With water: we got even closer. Custard and such. Butterscotch. Mouth (neat): same feeling, some zesty malt, clean, pure and totally au naturel. Barley cookies? Vanilla fudge? Pear cake? With water: same. Creamy barley, fudge, vanilla… Finish: long, vanilla-ed, a wee bit grassy, with excellent maltiness. Comments: only some mad soul would give another score to a barrel that’s so similar. Probably distilled on the very same day. SGP:541 - 83 points.

Check the index of all Braeval I've tasted so far

Pete McPeat and Jack Washback