The Perfect Speysider at a Very Attractive Price
1994 Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)
“This is as quintessentially Speyside as any malt in our selection right now and offers an incredible value from a relatively rare distillery.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

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The perfect complement to the Tormore 22 Year Old we offered earlier this month, the Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” is yet another remarkable find from the team at the Glasgow Whisky Company. While the Braeval name may be unfamiliar to many, we expect that to change, as they are crafting some of the brightest and wonderfully approachable Speysiders in the market today. Aged in bourbon barrels, this dram is a fruit-driven expression that is equal parts smoothly seductive and intellectually engaging. Rarely do we see single casks from Braeval, but when we do we snatch them up as quickly as we can, as they consistently capture everything we love about Speyside malts. At cask strength, you might think this 22 Year Old is a powerhouse, but it comes across as remarkably balanced and poised. Like the Tormore before it, we expect our small, exclusive allocation to disappear in short order. Similarly aged drams will set you back over $200, so finding one this attractively priced is always a huge win. If you are looking for a great, easy-going single malt with loads of personality, then you’ve come to the right place.

1994 Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)

The lovely small batch bottlings in the “Munros” line up are selected by the small Glasgow Whisky Company and represent some of the best values in single malt Scotch today. This small outfit has become an increasingly important player in the sale and bottling of small scale lots of high-quality Scotch. The Munros line is a reference to Scotland’s 282 mountains over 3000 feet. Explorers across the UK have long considered climbing each peak a rite of passage and likewise the great malts represent the heights of achievement in the eyes of whisky lovers across the world. The Braeval Distillery (formerly Braes of Glenlivet) was built in the early 1970s to help sustain the growth of the popular Chivas Brand. It has yet to be sold by the owners regularly as a single malt, but we’ve had success with a few from various independent bottlers over the years. Here the malty fruity character of the spirit is heightened perfectly after over two decades in fresh American bourbon barrels. Like all the Munros, this is a small batch of sequential casks bottled without chill filtration or reduction of any kind. Expect a very easy drinking Speysider focused on fruity malt, vanillas and subtle spices. A gorgeous example of this unsung little distillery.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 31, 2020

Another young but well-liked distillery, this one is distinct across the Munros line in that it was aged in exclusively ex-bourbon barrels. The already clean and fruity style of the Braeval (previously called Braes of Glenlivet) works perfectly with the round subtle American oak and sweet flavors imparted by these great bourbon barrels. The color is pale gold. The nose has the perfect blend of yellow and orange fruits, hints of fresh apricots and mirabelle. Touches of roasted almond and toasted vanilla bean heighten the clean fruitiness perfectly. On the palate, lemon candies, white pepper, cherry pits, ground clove and tiniest hints of fresh bread yeasty quality. Certainly not a whisky that’s going to scare anyone away, as it’s round and approachable, but by no means one-note or boring. This is as quintessentially Speyside as any malt in our selection right now and offers an incredible value for a relatively rare distillery.