Balvenie 12 Year Old - The Sweet Toast of American Oak

Balvenie’s whiskies have long been heralded as the gateway to the enchanting world of single malt whisky, captivating enthusiasts with their rich flavours and impeccable craftsmanship. Earlier this year, we delved into the revered Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood, a staple in many whisky collections. Today, we embark on a journey to discover a unique variation of this beloved dram—the "Sweet Toast of American Oak." Despite its tongue-twisting name, this expression marks one of the first creations from the talented Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. Inspired by the desire to enhance Balvenie's naturally sweet whisky, McKechnie opted to finish it in virgin oak barrels sourced from Kentucky. These freshly toasted barrels, having undergone a second toasting in Speyside, impart intriguing flavours to the whisky, elevating its profile to new heights.

Bottle

Adopting the same classic stout shape as its predecessor, the Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood, the bottle of “The Sweet Toast of American Oak” exudes timeless elegance. While the label may appear slightly more subdued compared to the DoubleWood, the overall design remains pleasing to the eye, with its graceful curves and inviting appearance.

Colour

A rich copper hue greets the eye, inviting anticipation of the sensory journey ahead. However, it's worth noting that this captivating colour is artificially enhanced, a departure from the natural hues preferred by purists.

Nose - Upon nosing, the aroma of delicious vanilla fudge dominates, followed by hints of candied citrus fruits that gradually emerge. The influence of the virgin oak barrels is evident, imparting a delightful sweetness to the whisky's bouquet.

Palate - The palate delights with notes of candied orange and lemon, enveloped in a blanket of sweetness reminiscent of toffee and demerara sugar. Each sip reveals layers of complexity, showcasing the craftsmanship behind this unique expression.

Finish - With a medium finish, the whisky gently fades, leaving behind echoes of sweetness and malt. The lingering presence of vanilla serves as a fond farewell to the flavor journey.

Overall

I love the concept of this whisky from Balvenie which sits in their “stories“ collection alongside the “Week of Peat 14” and “Revelation of Cask and Character” - 19 year old. It allows the distillery to experiment and try different approaches and techniques but it also gives us, the enthusiasts, a variation on the flavour profile. The difficulty for me comes when you put it side by side with the DoubleWood, which is at least £6 cheaper, and one of the standard-bearers of Scottish whisky (even if it is only 40% compared to the 43% of this American Oak). Maybe, though, that is not the point - if you are simply looking for value for money then the DoubleWood is probably the bottle to head for, however, if you are looking for something a little different then maybe you should try the Sweet Toast of American Oak - especially if you like you sweet, fruity whisky!

Available from Master of Malt for around £50, or check price and availability at Amazon