1. Balvenie 12 DoubleWood
The Balvenie 12 DoubleWood is one of the most famous and popular single malt whiskies, known for its widespread acclaim and demand. It stands as a prominent offering among the vast array of Balvenie products, often being the first to come to mind when whisky enthusiasts think of Balvenie due to its popularity.
To describe this product, the DoubleWood literally refers to its maturation process in two different types of oak casks. The whisky initially matures for 10 years in Whisky Oak casks, which have previously housed bourbon, followed by an additional two years in European Sherry casks that have been used at least four times. This unique aging process in two distinct cask types lends the whisky a rich complexity and depth of flavor, making it a highly sought-after and celebrated single malt.
2.Balvenie
1) Balvenie Distillery
The Balvenie Distillery was established by William Grant, the founder of Glenfiddich Distillery, in 1892. It was named after Balvenie Castle, a historical site located near the Glenfiddich Distillery.
Balvenie Distillery places a high value on tradition, being one of the few distilleries that still harvest some of its barley from its own farm. It also maintains the traditional practice of floor malting, where germinated barley is turned by hand with wooden shovels.
The distillery continues to adhere to traditional malting methods, drying the malted barley over fires of anthracite and peat. It operates with a single stainless steel mash tun, nine wooden washbacks, five stainless steel washbacks, five wash stills, and six spirit stills.
Balvenie uses water from the Conval Hills streams. The distillery’s Malt Master is the renowned David Stewart, who is credited with pioneering the cask finishing technique. His most famous creation using this technique is the Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood.
2) Tasting Notes
the first thing that stands out is the sweet aroma, which is pleasantly noticeable without being overwhelmed by alcohol. There’s a clear presence of vanilla, characteristic of bourbon casks, along with a hint of sherry’s raisiny notes. The complexity here is quite remarkable.
Upon tasting, the sweetness, reminiscent of honey (vanilla and caramel), suggests a mellow bourbon influence. There’s also a detection of dried fruits (raisins) and a nuttiness towards the end, showcasing an attractive harmony between the two types of cask used in its maturation.
There are slight hints of spiciness and woodiness, though they are not overpowering. The finish doesn’t feel long, but the whisky overall has a smooth quality that I believe would be very appealing to women as well.
3) Product Information
Product Name: Balvenie 12 DoubleWood
Type of Food: Whisky
Volume: 700ML
Alcohol Content: 40%
Manufacturer: William Grant & Sons Distillers Limited
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
3. Overall Review
the Balvenie 12 DoubleWood is a sweet, enjoyable single malt whisky. If you find the peaty taste of Johnny Walker Black a bit challenging, this whisky, with its dominant nutty sweetness, could be a good introduction to single malts.
Although not specifically reviewed here, it also makes an excellent whisky for a refreshing highball or served on the rocks. Personally, I’ve often used Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood as my choice for highballs.
I would personally recommend this whisky.