Whispering Waters: Braevel 9.97, Girvan 27, and Teaninich 12 Scotch Whisky Reviews

This is the third of a four-part series of reviews of Scotches from independent bottlers. The first, which includes an explanation of what (or who) independent bottlers are, is here. The second installment is here. The fourth is here. 

 

This series has explored independent bottler Scotches offered by The Whiskey Lab, which specializes in procuring rare and exclusive Scotch whiskies for the American market.

 

“In the fall of 2020, as the world went quiet, a small group of us from the Chicago Booth XP-91 class found solace and connection in virtual whisky tastings. Led by myself, Jay Roberts, and my co-founder Mark Sumlin, these sessions soon became a highlight of our lockdown life. Our shared passion didn't fade with graduation; instead, it sparked the creation of The Whiskey Lab.”

 

The duo then formed an independent bottling company called Whispering Waters, designed to locate (and offer) Scotches that would appeal to Bourbon lovers. Mark did wind up moving on in 2024.

 

Today, we’ll explore three expressions from Whispering Waters: a single malt from Braeval, a single grain from Girvan Distillery, and a single malt from Teaninich. These whiskies are all non-chill filtered and naturally colored.

 

The Whiskey Lab was kind enough to provide me with samples of each in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews. So, let’s #DrinkCurious and discover what these Scotches are all about!

 

I used a fresh Glencairn glass for each, and all were sipped neat.

 

Whispering Waters - Braeval 9.97 Year Single Malt Scotch

 

 

• Region: Speyside
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Age: 9.97 Years
• Cooperage: 1^st Fill PX Sherry Cask Matured
• Alcohol Content: 60.2% ABV (120.4°)
• 700mL Price: $115.00
• Number of Bottles: 305

 

Interestingly, Braevel doesn’t offer retail bottlings; anything out there is provided by independent bottlers! It is a workhorse distillery founded in Chapeltown by Chivas Brothers, Ltd. in 1973 as Braes of Glenlivet. Braevel is one of the two of the highest-altitude distilleries in Scotland, the second being Dalwhinnie. The distillery is known for its thin-necked stills, which produce light, floral whiskies.

 

Pernod Ricard purchased Chivas Brothers in 2000 and shuttered Braevel a year later. It remained silent until 2008 and has been active ever since.

 

Appearance: This whisky had a deep, dark, orange-amber color. A thin rim created fast, thicker, tightly packed tears.

 

Nose: What wafted from my glass smelled of dark raisins, overripe plums, blueberries, dried cherries, and milk chocolate. Bringing the vapor into my mouth brought cocoa.

 

Palate: Braevel’s texture was thin and oily. I tasted dates, figs, and boysenberries on the front of my palate. The middle offered dark chocolate, honey, and cherries, while the back included oak spice, ginger, and clove.

 

Finish: Ginger, dark chocolate, raisins, honey, and oak spice permeated my tongue and throat. It was a combination of sweet and spicy. I timed it at 2:17, making it long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: In full disclosure, I’m a sucker for Pedro Ximenez sherry finishes. Coming across one that was entirely aged in 1^st fill PX casks is unusual, and this was a fantastic sipping experience. At $115.00, I believe Whispering Waters’ Braeval 9.97 is one heck of a bargain, and my Bottle rating is beyond well-deserved. It may be one of the best single-malt Scotches I’ve had in 2025.  

 

 

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Whispering Waters - Girvan 27 Year Single Grain Scotch

 

 

• Region: Lowland
• Mashbill: 91.5% Wheat and 8.5% malted barley
• Age: 27 years
• Cooperage: Ex-Bourbon Cask
• Alcohol Content: 52.6% ABV (105.2°)
• 700mL Price: $170.00
• Number of Bottles: 265

 

Founded in 1963 by William Grant & Sons, Girvan Distillery is one of Scotland's largest distilleries. It was built and already distilling in only nine months because of a tiff over a television commercial between Grant and Distiller’s Company Limited (“DCL,” which would later become Diageo). DCL didn’t like the commercial and halted all grain whisky shipments to Grant. Its whiskies are components for Grant’s and Clan MacGregor.  

 

Appearance: Girvan was the color of sun-bleached straw. The thin rim created even thinner, close-knit tears.

 

Nose: I gave this whisky plenty of time to rest in the glass. When I brought it beneath my nostrils and sniffed, I encountered a simple aroma of brown sugar, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon. A blast of caramel rolled across my tongue when I drew it through my lips.

 

Palate: Girvan’s mouthfeel was slick and oily, and that first sip caused my eyes to roll back. Flavors of rich French vanilla ice cream and banana cream pie grabbed my attention as they hit the front. The middle tasted of grilled pineapples. The back featured brioche, salted caramel, and oak.

 

Finish: The banana cream pie and vanilla ice cream came racing back, then parked on my tongue. The oak gave it a slightly spicy sensation. The somewhat muted saltiness only seemed to enhance the other flavors. The duration ran 1:48, making it somewhat long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Single Grain Scotches are unfairly overlooked and often considered the red-headed step-sister to Single Malts. I have had exceptional single grains, so I became excited when the Girvan sample arrived.

 

I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Girvan wasn’t a complicated whisky, yet what was there was well-balanced and flavorful, and I was impressed with how deep those notes reached. Jay and Mark did a great job selecting this Scotch, and it deserves every bit of my Bottle rating.  

 

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Whispering Waters - Teaninich 12 Year Single Malt Scotch

 

 

• Region: Highland
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Age: 12 years
• Cooperage: 1^st Fill Ex-Bodega Oloroso Sherry Barrique
• Alcohol Content: 56.5% ABV (113°)
• 700mL Price: $125.00
• Number of Bottles: 306

 

Established in 1817 by Captain Hugo Munro, Teaninich was sold to DCL in 1933. Despite becoming one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, it was demolished in the late 1990s and then rebuilt to modern standards. It is the third-largest distillery owned by Diageo, and 99% of its malts are used for Johnnie Walker and other Diageo-owned blends, but it also winds up in a handful of non-Diageo blends. Almost all of its single malt whiskies go to independent bottlers.

 

Remarkable fact: Teaninich utilizes Scotland’s only hammer mill.

 

Appearance: Inside my glass, this Scotch looked brassy. A fragile rim discharged a curtain of tightly spaced, lightning-quick tears.

 

Nose: My olfactory sense plucked what I could swear was French toast. Lemon and lime zests were present, along with almonds and apricots. I discovered golden raisins when I drew the air into my mouth.

 

Palate: Teaninich was dense and creamy. On the front were flavors of figs, dried apricots, and dates. Midway through, I tasted caramel, molasses, and almonds. Nutmeg, milk chocolate, and oak spice formed the back.

 

Finish: The finish highlighted the oak and nutmeg. Those seemed a natural fit with the French toast. There was also a kiss of citrus. The medium duration was 0:53.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Whispering Waters Teaninich 12 is a delightful whisky that seemed closer to a Lowland Scotch than a Highland; it was light and fruity. It drank at least a dozen points, if not more, below its stated proof.

 

I could picture myself hanging out on my deck on a summer evening with a bottle of this whisky and wanting to refill my glass a few times, which is what I consider to be a dangerous one. At 113°, that will catch up with you before you realize it.

 

Teaninich 12 is a well-balanced single-malt Scotch worth having, so I’m giving it my Bottle rating.

 

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Final Thoughts: Here’s the deal with independent bottlers. They’re similar to folks who pick single barrels. Some know what they’re doing, others are just happy to get whatever a distillery or distributor someone hands them. A good palate will discern diamonds from glass. As evidenced by what I’ve tasted today, Jay is skilled, and I very much appreciate his sharing these whiskies with me.

 

I’d choose Braevel, Girvan, and Teaninich to rank these in order. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.