Like the famous 12 year old expression this Balvenie has been matured in two types of cask, the key difference this has been given an extra five years of cask ageing. A great release for 2012.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed info and/or photos just get in touch!
Warm Acacia honey and green apples on the nose leading to warm winter spices, vanilla and honeysuckle on the palate. The finish is gloriously long with notes of vanilla and honey.
My problem with this whiskey is basically that it has destroyed every other for me. Since my 18th birthday my dad and I have this tradition where we always give eachother whiskeys for our birthday. This one has pretty much destroyed it for me. I have not, in the 5 years since I first tasted this whiskey, ever tried another quite as good. This is the comparison for every new whiskey I try. And it always wins.
It is like the Double Wood 12 y/o matured into an incredibly complex scotch. If you enjoy the 12y/o you will find this 17y/o highly worth the price. However, I would only share it with those who can truly appreciate its complexity.
I like the 12yo Double Wood as standard whisky around the house but this is just awesome. As tasty as the 21yo Port Wood.
excellent whiskey. exactly as others describe, however I do feel it is lacking just a whiff of smoke to make this a perfect dram. 9.5/10
I had quite high hopes for this one given it's great younger brother, but I wasn't disappointed. This is a dram that is very enjoyable and worth every penny. The 21 yo Portwood is one of few bottles I've bought more than once and this 17 yo DW will probably appear in my cabinet again, too.
