Speyburn Bradan Orach Whisky Review

Jarrod Lapato -

BOTTLE DETAILS

  • DISTILLER: Speyburn Distillery
  • MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley (Single Malt)
  • MATURATION: Matured exclusively in air-dried American oak, ex-bourbon casks
  • AGE: NAS – No Age Statement*
  • YEAR: 2016
  • PROOF: 80 (40% ABV)
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • BUY ONLINE: Liquor Barn

JARROD'S NOTES

NOSE: Lemon/Lime  |  Malt  |  Wood  |  Vanilla

TASTE: Honeycomb  |  Oak  |  Walnut  |  Shortbread

FINISH: I was wondering where the “spice” was, and I found it here in the finish. It’s initially a continuation of the sweeter vanilla and honey notes but slowly turns towards nutmeg and black pepper. After the spice died down, I could still taste the dryness from the oak and a lingering vanilla. An excellent medium to long finish.

SHARE WITH: Much like the Speyburn 10 Years Old, this one should have relatively broad appeal. As such, it is an easy sipping single malt at a very reasonable price. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to test the Scotch waters, or seasoned Speyside fans looking for a solid bottle that won’t break the bank.

WORTH THE PRICE: With a suggested retail price of $24.99, it’s right about where it should be. It’s a couple of bucks less than the 10 Year, and while it does not have a stated age, it does seem to be a bit fuller bodied than the 10. The one drawback for me is the lower 40% ABV vs. the 43% of the 10 Year… so it’s a bit of a tradeoff.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: If you are even considering trying it, get a bottle. What else are you going to do with $25, buy a six pack of socks?? That’s no fun.

OVERALL: I believe Speyburn is one of the more overlooked single malt scotch whiskies out there. Yes, it falls into that “entry-level” category, largely because of its younger age and lower pricing, and that’s the catch-22 when it comes to ‘value’ in the whisky world. Price it too low, and the snobs turn up their noses, price it too high, and people won’t feel they’re receiving any true value. This is a very solid offering at a very reasonable price. As I mentioned above, I’d like to see this at a little higher proof, but I nonetheless enjoyed every sip.

BRAND NOTES

COLOR: Bright, golden amber.

NOSE: Green apples, honey, lemon and vanilla.

TASTE: Subtle with honey and vanilla, yet full bodied. Creamy and smooth with a long spicy finish. Energetic and appealing, this is the brightest member of the Speyburn range.

AWARDS:

  • Gold category winner at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards
  • 91 Points / Excellent / Highly Recommended / Great Value from the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
  • Gold Medal award from the Beverage Testing Institute, 2015


SPEYBURN BRADAN ORACH WHISKY BACKGROUND INFO

*I tried to get some additional information on the approximate age ranges of the whiskies used to create Bradan Orach, and received this response…From Speyburn’s Brand Manager, Gillian Gibson: “When creating the Speyburn NAS selections, Stuart Harvey (IBHL’s master blender) has the freedom to use a wide range of vintages. We use young whisky, which gives the expression energy and clean, crisp character. However, we also work with older vintages which typically add depth and charisma. Each expression is different and we work with a flavor/taste profile rather than a number in mind.”

Disclaimer: Speyburn Distillery provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.