Alexander Murray Braes of Glenlivet 21 Year Review
In-Depth Review
Never heard of Braes of Glenlivet? You’re not alone. When I picked this bottle up two years back, I had never heard of it either. But that may be for a good reason. Braes of Glenlivet was founded only in 1971, and due to its proximity to Glenlivet, changed its name to Braeval in 1994 to avoid confusion. This independent bottling must have been secured prior to the name change as it’s both from 1994 and listed as Braes of Glenlivet. Braes of Glenlivet also happens to be Scotland’s highest distillery (maybe that has an effect on the whisky?).
But enough about the name! What’s in the bottle? Well, this bottling comes from Alexander Murray, a company famous for sourcing excellent whiskies at reasonable prices. And while this retails for almost $180, their unique relationship with Costco led me to find this at a much lower price. Bottled (thankfully) at 43% ABV, this should be an interesting pour.
Age: 21 Year
ABV: 43%
Cask: Not disclosed
MSRP: $175
Distillery Name: Braes of Glenlivet (Braeval)
Review Date: 2/4/21
Color: Dark Gold
Nose: This whisky starts with a soft nose featuring spiced wood, honeysuckle, vanilla, ripe fruit, leather, and grape. There is a musty quality here, likely from its older age. Reminds me of antique wood furniture or walking into an old bookstore filled with leather bound books. As it opens up in the glass, more floral and perfume notes appear, with more spice becoming apparent.
Palate: Silky and creamy, this whisky starts off slow with a great fruity sweetness that reminds me of honey, pear, and red apple. There seems to be a touch of sherry influence here coming through with a nutty raisin quality. It’s subtle, but perhaps there were a couple sherry casks throw into this batch. The wood influence comes through again on the palate with woody tannins, nutmeg, and spice all making an appearance. The mouthfeel is good, but not incredibly complex. The 21 years in wood has led to a soft and mellow whisky, perfect for curling up with a great book.
Finish: Medium finish that presents with more fruity sweetness, a touch of cinnamon sticks and clove, with a lingering flavor of dried oak.
Final Thoughts: Braes of Glenlivet from Alexander Murray isn’t a big and bold whisky and instead gives a much calmer and mellower Speyside experience. The 21 years in oak has definitely left an impression, with the spiced wood balancing the fruity distillate. This is a great whisky for what I paid for it, and I regret not buying more at that time, but I struggle to justify its suggested retail price tag. I understand that this is a whisky from a distillery that hardly comes to market, but regardless, I feel that there are more interesting expressions near the $175 price range. A great whisky with a not so great price tag.
