Old Particular – Braeval 18 Year Old (Sherry Butt), 70cl
Brand: Douglas Laing | Category: Speyside Single Malt Scotch | ABV: 48.4% (natural cask strength may vary) | Origin: Speyside, Scotland | Vol: 70cl
Cask Type: Sherry Butt | Age Statement: 18 Years | Edition: Old Particular Series

Intro/Heritage:
Braeval might fly under the radar, but in the hands of Douglas Laing, this 18-year-old sherry butt beauty steps confidently into the spotlight. Bottled as part of the Old Particular series, this single cask release is a slow-aged Speyside gem, silky, fruit-rich, and glowing with the kind of depth that only time and sherry wood can deliver.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Elegant and indulgent. Stewed red berries, marzipan, orange marmalade, and cinnamon-laced oak with a soft hint of leather and rosehip tea.
Palate: Rich yet refined. Spiced plums, toffee apple, toasted hazelnuts, and milk chocolate glide over a creamy malt base with remarkable finesse.
Finish: Lingering and warming. Dried apricots, nutmeg, and a soft sherried glow fade gently into honeyed oak.

Production Details:
Aged for 18 years in a single sherry butt and bottled at 48.4% ABV with no chill filtration or coloring. This expression reflects Old Particular’s mission: letting distillery character and cask influence shine without interference.

Perfect For:
Those who appreciate sherry influence without heaviness. A refined after-dinner pour for Speyside fans, collectors of subtle elegance, or whisky drinkers looking to explore under-the-radar distilleries at their best.

Expert Notes:
Braeval’s naturally light, floral spirit balances beautifully with sherry wood and this 18-year-old bottling walks that line perfectly. It’s a whisky of grace, not volume, layered, delicate, and quietly captivating.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Smooth, sophisticated, and surprisingly complex. A hidden Speyside treasure.”
🗨️ “Sherry warmth with floral charm — such a lovely, well-aged dram.”
🗨️ “Balanced and graceful. Proof that great whisky doesn’t need to shout.”

Interesting Fact:
Braeval is the highest-altitude distillery in Scotland, located deep in the Braes of Glenlivet. Most of its spirit goes into blends, making single cask bottlings like this a rare and rewarding discovery.

Serving Suggestions:
Sip neat in a tulip glass to unlock its soft fruit and oak complexity. A few drops of water will bring forward delicate florals and sweeter malt. Pair with almond biscotti, poached pears, or an evening of quiet luxury.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1973 and tucked into the hills above Glenlivet, Braeval produces a fragrant, clean spirit that takes beautifully to sherry casks. This Old Particular expression captures its hidden elegance, bottled with care and aged to near-perfection.