1994 Berrys' Braes of Glenlivet, Cask 165627, Single Malt Whisky, 54.4%

Braeval Distillery, Speyside

The Braeval whisky distillery (formerly Braes of Glenlivet) is one of the youngest distilleries in Speyside. Built in 1973/4 by Chivas, it was bought by Pernod Ricard in 2001 and swiftly mothballed in 2002; however, it was reactivated in July 2008.

Braeval was formed for the purpose of providing a component for blends such as Chivas Regal, along with sister distilleries such as Allt-A’ Bhainne, and for this reason single malt and independent bottlings from Braeval are relatively rare. As a result one must be particularly wary of fakes claiming to be Braeval or Braes of Glenlivet single malts. However, the genuine articles of these rare whiskies are generally very well-regarded.
 

Speyside Whisky

To some Speyside represents the jewel in whisky’s crown. Speyside is the home of legal whisky production and it’s best known examples. Around the world Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenrothes and Glenfarclas typify all that whisky, at it’s best has to offer. At it’s heart running from the Monadhliath mountains north to the sea, is the River Spey. It is the fastest flowing river in Britain, and also well known for its salmon fishing.

Speyside is the principal whisky-producing region: Speyside has within it some forty-six operating distilleries - over half the total number in the entire Scotland.

Speysides are essentially sweet whiskies. They have little peaty character They are typically highly perfumed, feminine and elegant.

The classical nature of Speyside’s malts means that a number of the finest malts are used almost exclusively for blending. It is the top Speysider’s that give good blends their ‘Top Dressing’. 

Malts such as Mortlach, Glen Elgin, Strathmill and Benrinnes are rarely found as distillery bottlings, however when individual casks are tracked down by independent bottlers such as our Own Selection Single Malt Whiskies the resultant whisky can be quite wonderful.