Braeval 1996 26 Years Single Malt Whisky

Braeval Distillery represents one of the most significant recent additions to the single malt Scotch whisky market. As the final distillery in Chivas Brothers' portfolio to transition from exclusive blending stock to official single malt releases, Braeval embodies the strategic shift toward premium aged expressions in the Speyside region. Located in the remote Braes of Glenlivet, Braeval is aptly named 'The Remote Distillery' in Chivas Brothers' prestigious 'The Secret Speyside Collection.' This isolation, south of Grantown-on-Spey and accessible only via the B9008 through Auchnarrow, echoes its historical role as an illicit distilling haven during the 18th and 19th centuries. Production capabilities include a 9-ton stainless steel full-lauter mash tun, 13 stainless steel washbacks with 70-hour fermentation, and a six-still setup comprising two wash stills with secondary condensers and four spirit stills. The distillery processes 26 mashes weekly, yielding 4.2 million liters of new make spirit annually. The inaugural 2017 visitor center exclusive was a 16-year-old cask strength expression. The 2019 global launch introduced three distinguished age-statement whiskies: a 25-year-old and 27-year-old both matured in American oak barrels at 48% ABV, and a 30-year-old hogshead-matured expression at 50.3% ABV. Initially duty-free exclusives, these expressions entered UK retail distribution in 2020, positioning Braeval as a luxury collectible within the single malt category.