Speyburn Braden Orach Review
In-Depth Review
Speyburn may sound to some like a made up non-distilling producer – but it is very much a real distillery with a history of making whisky dating back over 125 years. Located on the banks of a tributary to the Spey River, this distillery has been quietly making some of the best value malts in Scotland for decades. With a core range that features a 10, 15, 16 and 18 year expressions, Speyburn is a remarkably under the radar distillery for most consumers in the US. And while it has wide distribution, many of their whiskies sit firmly in the budget category and outside the consideration set for many enthusiasts.
Today, we are going to dive into the most affordable whisky in the Speyburn lineup – the non-age stated Braden Orach expression. This entry level single malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels comes in at 40% ABV and sports a name that means “Golden Salmon” in Gaelic. With a pretty incredible MSRP of only $25, is this Speysider worth a try? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 40%
Cask: Ex-bourbon casks
MSRP: $25
Distillery Name: Speyburn
Review Date: 1/2/24
Color: Pale Straw
Nose: The nose is creamy, soft, and full of vanillas, apple slices, lavender honey, and a musty malt funk reminiscent of sourdough bread. It’s almost as though caramel apple slices were laid on top of fresh sourdough bread slices. It’s an easy and inviting classic Speyside profile that will please almost everyone.
Palate: The first sip is a mouthwatering (or just full of water?) experience full of black tea, big bready malt, more apple, and a darker bitter chocolate nose. The mouthfeel is very thin and there is an almost no discernable level of heat to be found here. It’s an easy drinker that borders on too easy. Please be careful not to add any more water here or the palate might disappear completely.
Finish: Short finish with a bit more chocolate bitterness, a flash of yeasty bread, lemon rind, and artificial vanilla. A grassy quality lingers on the tongue while the sweetness and herbal tea notes of the palate disappear quickly.
Final Thoughts: There’s no denying that Speyburn’s Braden Orach is a young whisky – but if you can look beyond that, you’ll find a respectable ex-bourbon scotch whisky full of typical Speyside characteristics. And while its palate may be thin, it has just enough to remind you youre drinking scotch – and sometimes that’s all you’re looking for. It represents a tremendous value in today’s market with an MSRP right around $25. And while this certainly won’t win any whisky of the year awards, this could easily become your favorite summer sipper for friends and family early in the whisky journey. If you are looking for a proper value pour and you enjoy a malty, easy drinking bottle, then this Brandan Orach might be a great way to stock up the home bar.
