16 January 2024
Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood
The Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood gets its name from the, now commonly used, process of ‘wood finishing’. This technique was pioneered by one of Balvenie’s former Malt Master in 1980s and is something the distillery has been perfecting for a number of decades. They are, obviously, by no means the only distillery using this technique but as you’ll find out below, they may well be doing it better than the others.
Bottle
The bottle design itself is a work of art, a perfect blend of tradition and modern sophistication. The classic stout shape is my favourite styling for whisky bottles, yet the curves at the neck hint at a refinement befitting of one of Scotlands favourite distilleries. This bottle would look equally comfortable on a mountainside as a city bar, maybe as good as it gets?
Colour
A beautiful deep copper colour hints at the time the whisky has spent finishing in sherry casks for the last stint of its maturation. This whisky, from the heart of Speyside, classically embodies the rich colour of the regions whiskies that are finished in Sherry casks.
Nose - As the glass nears, delicate notes of sweet honey and vanilla embrace the senses, accompanied by a subtle floral elegance. A nuanced blend of oak and a whisper of dried fruit adds layers to the olfactory symphony, inviting the first sip.
Palate - On the palate, a velvety texture delivers a cascade of flavours. The honeyed sweetness intertwines with warm spices and a gentle oak infusion. Nutty undertones and a subtle hint of cinnamon contribute to the tapestry of complexity, beautifully brought together in this dram.
Finish - The grand finale is a lingering embrace, honeyed and warm. The influence of sherry introduces a nuanced conclusion, leaving a delightful afterglow.
Overall
This is a beloved whisky for many enthusiasts. An easy recommendation for any whisky drinker, whether they are a newcomer or an experienced dram drinker. At around £44 it is not the cheapest but among its peers in the core of the whisky world it is certainly one of the leaders. One of my favourites.
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Fancy another dram?
Singleton 12 Year Old
Possibly the strangest bottle I've met so far — 'Singleton' is a Diageo brand spanning three different distilleries. This is the widely-available Dufftown version. Confusing branding aside, is there a good dram underneath? Expect polished wood and toasted hazelnuts giving way to citrus, a nutty core and a zesty, medium finish. Pleasant enough — but at its £37 RRP, is it really worth your money?
Glenlivet 12 Year Old
Glenlivet is a cornerstone of Scotch — Scotland's oldest legal distillery and a global beacon for the category. The 12 is everywhere, which is exactly why it's worth asking: is the world's default Speyside actually any good? Delicate orchard fruits, vanilla and honey make for an easy, accessible pour — but is 'easy' enough when a whisky is this widely revered? My answer might surprise you.
Balvenie 12 Year Old - The Sweet Toast of American Oak
Balvenie is many people's gateway to single malt. Having already covered the trusty DoubleWood 12, I'm turning to a more unusual variation from the distillery's experimental 'Stories' collection — finished in toasted American oak. Expect vanilla fudge, candied citrus and a wave of toffee sweetness. It's a lovely concept, but does the experiment justify the extra outlay over the everyday DoubleWood?