Braeval 2009 The First Edition 14 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 62%

62 percent is not a number you hand anyone unprepared. In return nothing has been filtered out, no colour added and no water poured in — you get the contents of the cask as they were when the bung came off.

Expert description

Braeval 2009 The First Edition 14 Years is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a Refill Oloroso Butt, bottled at cask strength, 62%, without chill filtration and without added colour.

The First Edition is the series from Andrew Laing and Edition Spirits, where single casks from across Scotland are selected and bottled without compromise. Andrew Laing is the son of Stewart Laing and carries the family tradition of independent bottling forward under his own name.

Braeval is a high-lying Speyside distillery whose spirit is light and floral. Fourteen years in a refill oloroso butt adds nut and dried fruit without covering the spirit, and the high strength makes the profile dense and concentrated.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried apricot and walnut with pale honey, cinnamon and a stroke of freshly cut oak.

Palate

Dense and spiced with raisin, almond and baked apple. The alcohol is pronounced, but the fruit holds its ground.

Finish

Very long and dry with nuts, spice and a warm oak note.

Specifications

Name: Braeval 2009 The First Edition 14 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 62%
Distillery: Braeval
Bottler: The First Edition
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 62%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Oloroso Butt
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2009
Edition: The First Edition

Flavour profile

Sherried · Spiced · Nutty · Fruity · Very powerful

Investment potential

Medium. A single cask bottling from a smaller series and a distillery without an official range. Releases from Edition Spirits appear in small volumes.

Did you know?

The Laing name runs through three generations of independent bottlers in Scotland. The family businesses have been divided several times over the years, and today different branches of the family each run their own company.

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Frequently asked questions about Braeval 2009 The First Edition 14 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 62%

What is The First Edition?

A series of single cask bottlings from Edition Spirits, founded by Andrew Laing. Casks are selected individually and bottled at cask strength without filtration or colour. See more independent series under Independent Whisky Bottlers.

Is 62% drinkable?

Yes, with water. Neat it is a very concentrated experience that many find too intense. With a teaspoon of water per dram the alcohol drops noticeably and the fruit comes forward.

Is it worth the money?

Cask strength, single cask, no filtration and a distillery that does not release whisky itself. It is the rarity of the source rather than the age that carries this bottling.

How does an oloroso butt differ from an ordinary sherry cask?

Oloroso is a dry, oxidatively aged sherry that gives nut, raisin and dark sugar. Other sherry types such as Pedro Ximénez give heavier sweetness, while fino gives saltier and drier notes.

Why is the colour so pale after fourteen years?

Because the cask is a refill that has already given most of its colour away. Without added caramel colouring the hue shows exactly how much the cask has really contributed.

Does it work with food?

It is too powerful for most dishes, but it works after the meal alongside nuts, dark chocolate or a mature hard cheese.