Chapter 7 Braes of Glenlivet 1994

Braes of Glenlivet, or Braeval as it is known since 1994, is a modern distillery from the seventies. Braes was the first in a “five distilleries in five years” masterplan from Pernod Ricard. Since 1997 the complete distillery can be operated by a single person.

The distillery is located in a beautiful yet remote part of the Scottish Highlands. At 507 meters above sea level it is the highest situated distillery in Scotland.

Identity Card Chapter 7 Braes of Glenlivet 1994

• Braes of Glenlivet 1994
• Braeval Distillery, Chapeltown (Speyside)
• Bottled by Chapter 7
• 20 years old Speyside single malt
• Alcohol: 50.4% ABV
• Bourbon barrel #165681 - 172 bottles

Tasting notes

Colour: Golden barley yellow coloured whisky that leaves thin and fast legs on the side of the glass.

Nose: A gourmet fruit basket with lots of citrus fruits and heavy wood notes (something you'll find in a lot of Chapter 7 single casks). Apple peel and mandarin zest. English winegums and hard lemon candy. Some stewed vegetable notes and delicious avocado.
Water brings up an image of an old fashioned ice cream cart with plenty of ice cream flavours. A touch of classic coconut and bay leaf.

Taste: Heavy on the pepper at first. Citrus candy, or fruit-tella to be more specific, and wine gums. Stem ginger and tamarind candy. It slowly evolves towards a light and fruity texture in the mouth.
A few drops of water reveal fresh bananas and a rich banana cream infused with vanilla and clove.

Finish: An utterly long finish with candy, mango and an occasional boost of spices and white chocolate. Lovely stuff.

Price: €145.99 at Flaviar

This is my first Braeval or Braes of Glenlivet. I didn't know much on the distillery itself before I started writing this review. Regardless of the unromantic history, Braeval is supposed to deliver fairly consistent quality that can make great single malt whiskies. This whisky has a clear Chapter 7 signature: a robust wood perfume. If you - like me - like these notes, you're in for a treat.

The pricing is pretty steep. €146 seems pretty hefty for a 20yo lesser known single malt from an independent bottler. Although being based in Switzerland could explain some of that...

Bottle picture: Figee.ch

Disclosure: A review sample was sent to me by Chapter 7. Opinions stated (good or bad) above are of course my own.