Braes of Glenlivet 1991 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 32 yo

 

 

 

41,1°

Distillery : Braeval - Speyside

Bourbon Hogsheads and 1st Fill Margaux Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Braeval, formerly known as Braes of Glenlivet, was specially conceived to nourish blends, particularly Chivas. Nevertheless, independent bottlings regularly appear on the market, such as this one, which has the particularity of having undergone a 4-year finish in 1st Fill Margaux Wine Barriques. It is a blending of 4 casks, and yet it gave only 690 bottles, so I'm wondering wether this is 4 Bourbon Hogsheads finished in 4 Margaux Wine Casks, or 2 Bourbon Hogsheads and 2 Margaux Wine Casks. The latest hypothesis seems more logical, but you never know for sure. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nose with a certain delicacy, but where the red fruits prevail, redcurrants, pomegranate, slightly acid cranberries, solvent, pomade. In the background, some vanilla cereals, raspberry muffin, a hint of ether and iodine. The palate, on the other hand, is lighter and more wine-like, with tannins and somewhat heavy fruit, lively spices, cooked mushrooms and soggy wood. The finish is light but very long, very woody, candied fruit, cereals and brioche, cola, nutmeg, a pinch of salt.

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which seemed very well-balanced and original, but the palate and finish were a little less successful, more timid and light. All the same, this is a very good bottling, at a price that I find exaggerated, but what can you say, that's the market.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Adrian Quesada - Hoy Que Llueve