SMWS 113.44 - Braeval 23yo

Whisky: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 113.44 - Braeval 23yo

Region: Speyside

ABV: 57.2%

Price: £103.80

Society number 113 is Braeval it is a Chivas owned distillery that is mostly used for blending. This bottling is a 23yo refill bourbon barrel.

Nose

Marzipan cake, the slight dustiness of a dunnage warehouse, ripe green apple, sugar coated melon, sawdust, a summers garden.

Palate

Mixed fruit trifle, custard creams, vanilla essence, boiled sweeties, tired wood, quite a punchy alcohol burn separate from the fruits and sweetness. Finish is medium length, but the alcohol leaves a tingle around the mouth and lips.

Nose (with water)

The dustiness becomes muted, giving way to mild banana and light honey notes.

Palate (with water)

Cherry liquer appears, still a fair bite of acohol even when diluted.

Conclusion

The whisky has some beautiful fruit and sweet creamy notes, but unfortunately the alcohol bite and bitter woodiness takes away from the overall enjoyment for me. It’s not as well integrated as some of the other twenty-something refill bourbon casks I’ve tried from the Society from the likes of Glen Grant or Longmorn.

Score: 6/10

• 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
• 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
• 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
• 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
• 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
• 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
• 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
• 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
• 2 - Pour it out
• 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

Have you tried SMWS 113.44 - Braeval 23yo? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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