Braeval 12 Years Old 2014 Thompson Bros. Aberdeen Whisky Shop

Thompson Bros.

Braeval 12 Years Old 2014

ABV: 55.3% 70 cL

This single malt was distilled in 2014 at Braeval Distillery, set high in the hills of the Braes of Glenlivet in Speyside and one of the highest distilleries in Scotland. Braeval's spirit is usually light, fruity and floral, in the classic Speyside mould.

It was matured for 12 years in a first fill barrel and bottled by Thompson Bros., the independent bottler based in Dornoch. The label art is by KMG.

A barrel is a cask of around 200 litres, usually made from American oak. "First fill" means this is the first time the cask has been filled with Scotch after its previous contents were emptied, so the wood is at its most active and has plenty of sweetness, vanilla and colour to give to the spirit.

1 BOTTLE PER HOUSEHOLD

The cask has transformed this usually delicate spirit. Thompson Bros. describe it as heavy, dark and wonderfully dense – big, sweet and mouth-filling, with a viscous texture and a long, warming and pleasantly drying finish. A far cry from the lighter style Braeval is known for.

Distilled in 2014, aged 12 years and presented at natural cask strength of 55.3% ABV, natural colour and no chill filtration.

Nose

Heavy, dark, and wonderfully dense. It opens with a sticky haul of dried fruits - chewy figs, Medjool dates, and plump raisins - alongside the caramelised, slightly singed edge of a freshly baked apricot twist pastry. A dusting of toasted cinnamon and fiery candied ginger steps forward next, kept entirely in check by an honest micro whiff of struck-match 'sherry sulfur' that gives the whole nose real backbone.

Palate

Big, sweet, and mouth-filling. That spicy candied ginger charges straight onto the palate, backed by a generous scatter of mixed baking spices and sticky treacle toffee. The texture is wonderfully viscous, picking up a welcome, oily crunch of toasted coconut flakes that balances the darker, heavier dried fruits rolling through the mid-palate.

Finish

Long, warming, and pleasantly drying. It shifts toward high-cocoa dark chocolate studded with tart cherries and flakes of sea salt. Sweet cinnamon spice buzzes quietly alongside rich stewed fruits and savoury, spiced plum chutney, before that dirty, satisfying hit of sherry sulfur circles back for a final, lingering curtain call.

£75.00

Tax included.

PRODUCT INFO

Region Speyside
Distillery Braeval
Cask type First Fill Barrel
Bottling company Thompson Bros.
Whisky type Single Malt
Braeval distillery logo

Braeval Distillery, also called the Braes of Glenlivet, located in the heart of the Speyside region, was built in 1973 by Chivas Brothers with the goal of supplying their blended whiskies. It was equipped with three stills, with another two added shortly after opening, bringing the capacity to 4.5 m litres per year. The distillery was closed for 6 years between 2002 and 2008 but has been producing ever since.
Single malt from the Braeval is mostly available through independent bottlers.

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