1997 Douglas Laing & Co. Old Particular Single Cask Braeval 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A first for our shelves and rarely seen as a single malt, be it as an official or independent bottling. This is one of 323 released under Douglas Laing's Old Particular label, charged from a Sherry butt with no added colouring or chill filtration. Distilled in 1997 and bottled June 2016 at high strength.

Founded in 1973 as "Braes of Glenlivet", Pernod Ricard purchased the Braeval distillery in 2001 only to mothball it the following year. Currently owned by Chivas Brothers, (who kick-started production in 2008), Braeval has always produced for the blenders. As a 'volume' distillery it was re-designed in 1997 for maximum efficiency so that the entire plant could be operated by a single worker. Braeval has never taken the step of marketing products under its own label, so when bottlings do surface they tend to grab the attention of whisky completionists. Various commentators have enthused over Braeval (or at least some of its bottlings) with Jim Murray's ratings almost breaching 95 points.

Located in the far south of the Speyside region, Braeval shares the honour of being the joint highest distillery in Scotland, along with Dalwhinnie. The house style is unpeated, light and floral.

Tasting note: [from a 20ml sample] Pale gold. Dry, grainy, cereal like openings give way to cocoa and sublte nashi pear fruitiness. A spicy delivery, framed by firm, peppery oak with the low-key malt followed by bitter dark chocolate and digestif biscuits through the finish. Understated. Intriguing. 48.4% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.