There’s not been too many Society Braeval’s – the previous one was way back in 2007. Indeed, it’s rarely seen as a single malt, with only two bottlings in the Chivas Reserve Collection and a handful of releases each year from indy bottlers. This example was laid down in October 2008 in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Light & Delicate profile.
Nose: A tightly bound basket of mixed fruits – raspberries, plums and gooseberry. Creaminess is already apparent with custard, soft-peak meringues and vanilla pods. Water adds gingerbread men, iced buns and vanilla sorbet.
Taste: Kicking off with very creamy vanilla, buttery biscuit (base), pancake batter and oatmeal, the mid-palate delivers apricots before the oak takes a firm grip with planking, wood chips and sawdust. Dilution adds some ginger detected on the nose as well as water crackers, yeasty buns and pepperiness.
Finish: Medium with pastry, freshly cut biscuits, sweet wine (ala noble rot) and creamy vanilla.
A straight down the line ex-bourbon cask Braeval. No lows. But no particular highs either.