Braeval 2001 (Hepburn’s Choice)

Hepburn’s Choice is a new label of the Hunter Laing company. They’re all single cask releases at 46%. There have been one or two batches so far.

The Braeval 2001 we’re trying today was part of the first releases.

Braeval 12 yo 2001 (46%, Hepburn’s Choice 2013, sherry cask, 807 btl.)

Nose: young, fairly malty, with sweet berries and apple. Lemon candy. Creamy notes too, soft white chocolate and almond paste. Nice enough.

Mouth: very sweet, with yellow apple and lemon candy again. Modern vanilla notes. Yellow raisins. A peppery note in the background.

Finish: medium long, citrusy but still very sweet.

A young, sweet Braeval. I feared it would be too neutral and generically modern, but the creaminess is quite pleasant. Slightly harder to find, or so it seems. Around € 55.

Score: 83/100