Balvenie DoubleWood is, to not much surprise, aged in two kinds of oak casks! It was firstly matured in refill American oak casks before it was treated to a finish in first fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts for an additional nine months. The expression was launched in 1993, and has become a somewhat iconic whisky over the years. Even at 12 years old, this rich and complex dram is an excellent example of what the Balvenie distillery can craft.
Gristy, supple nuttiness intertwined with spices. Honeyed sultanas and grapes. Hugely inviting.
Sweet with good body. The bourbon characters develop; gentle spice with a little vanilla, a hint of balancing peat lurking quietly in the substrata. Dried fruit too, combining with nuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, back into the bourbon notes - so well integrated.
Spicy, slightly drying, still sweet.
A classic, always a pleasure to revisit. (This is also a single malt with the ability to convert a non-whisky drinker with its deliciousness...)
I opened this bottle when I got it and slowly drank a few drams over a couple weeks then let it set for a couple weeks. First pours were not very dramatic or inspiring.. Having let the bottle sit for a couple weeks almost 3/4 full, it has changed for the better. I'm not sure what the deal is with some single malts that change after opening and letting sit for a couple or more weeks, but some change with dramatic flair. This is one of them. The nose is now far more supple and inviting. Vanilla is more pronounced with the fruit side. Pallet is way better and a tad sweeter. Though the finish is kind of short, I just cant stop nosing this one. Will be buying this one again.
Amazing........... Just want to keep going like - THIRST FOR WATER. .....
Got a bottle as a fathers day gift. Outstanding taste with the mixture of the two woods.
I've been drinking single malts for a few years now and for the price I haven't found anything better, started with the 12yo Balvenie and kept coming back to it exactly because of what most people who like it say, it's a nice, easy drink and doesn't disappoint. can anyone suggest an alternative for the price?
I must say that it's overpriced. It would be acceptable for 20%-30% less money. Reminds me too much of bourbon. However, we all have a different palate and if you like it, by all means go for it. It's not bad, but it's not for everybody. I don't want to drag down the rating, so I'm not rating it.
