Braeval Distillery, located in the Braes of Glenlivet region, has a rich history intertwined with illicit whisky-making, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the remote, sheltered highlands were ideal for moonshining. Local rumors suggest that illegal distilling may have continued until relatively recently, further adding to the mystique of the area. Despite the first road being laid in the 1960s, the distillery itself was established in 1972, and it has steadily grown in both size and reputation since then.
The distillery now features six stills—two large wash stills and four smaller spirit stills—each with thin necks and upward sloping lyne arms. These design features help generate a lighter style of whisky with floral notes, contributing to Braeval’s distinctive character. However, Braeval is rarely seen as a single malt, with independent bottlings being scarce. The distillery is situated at one of the highest elevations in Scotland, sharing this distinction with Dalwhinnie.
Braeval’s location was selected by Seagram, who were in pursuit of expanding The Glenlivet brand. They chose the site due to the high quality of its water, and the first mash was made before the roof was even completed—an indication of the urgency and excitement surrounding the project. Braeval was one of the first fully automated distilleries in Scotland, with all of its equipment housed in a single open-plan space, marking an innovative approach to whisky production.
Though it was initially named Braes of Glenlivet, the distillery changed its name to Braeval to avoid confusion with the more famous Glenlivet. After Seagram’s acquisition by Pernod Ricard in 2000, Braeval was mothballed for six years before returning to full production. Today, it remains part of Pernod Ricard’s portfolio, continuing to produce whisky for blends and limited single malt releases.
