The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Years Old

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: The Balvenie Distillery
• Bottling: William Grant & Sons
• ABV: 40%
• Cost: £37.96

What they say:

The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two wood types. Over the period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill European oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt ~ the traditional casks soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.

NOSE:

Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.

TASTE:

Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours ~ nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.

FINISH:

Long and Warming

What I say:

The stereotypical Balvenie classic, much admired and for good reason. The Balvenie Doublewood was one of those first whisky bottle finds where I knew I had stumbled by pure luck onto something affordable and fantastic. Also sampled at The Balvenie Craft in Motion Tour & The Balvenie Whisky Fete Edinburgh

Colour:

Full amber gold

Nose:

Manuka honey, toffee and caramel, cereal barley malt, fruity raisin hints

Taste:

Sweet heather and maunka honey, toffee, caramel, oak, cereal barley malt, vanilla with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg spice, light sultanas and raisins

Finish:

Dry, sweet medium length, more of the sherried spices develop

Overall:

A cracking entry level dram that instilled a deep love of The Balvenie distillery expressions here at The Whiskyphiles. This perennial classic is a much-touted first dram or gift-bottle suggestion for those who are newer to whisky. We still love it to this day.

Score: 84/100

Available from Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange

Don’t take my word for it:

Bloggers submit link to your review