Braeval 15 Year Old Deerstalker

Deerstalker is a Scottish bottler from Glasgow that only offers three single malts: Allt-a-Bhaine (12yo), Balmenach (10, 12 & 18yo) and Braeval (10 & 15yo). Originally it was a wine and spirit merchant from Leith who founded Deerstalker around 1880 to bottle blends, but since 1991 the brand is in the hands of a Scottish company called Aberko. Today I will be trying their Braeval (also Braes of Glenlivet) 15 Year Old. Braeval is in the hands of Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard) and does not get released as a single malt. Between 2002 and 2008 the distillery was closed.

The nose is fresh and somewhat floral. Citrus and toffee. Lime sorbet. Honey. Slice of melon. After a few moments that becomes very sweet because of a truckload of vanilla.

It is oily and spicy on the palate. The citrus is in the lead, but immediately gets wrapped in a pretty smoky blanket. Some liquorice and peper, too.

The finish is slightly drying from the wood and fades slowly.

Truth be told, I did not expect much from this, but my expectations were easily surpassed. Nice sping whisky with quite some oompf. Around 40 EUR.

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