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...)
The price is what keeps this dram highly perched on my shelves. It's one to always have on hand as a daily dram. Thats exactly what this is: safe, cozy and reliable. There is some kind of plastic taste mid palate, but otherwise is wonderful. I would expect more bite from a more expensive scotch, but at forty bills, the vanilla and inoffensive flavor profile are just what I want. Yea the finish is short, but really? you want a lengthy lingering finish at this price point with that same thick, gummy flavor and body? you're dreaming at this price. if you want all of that, that's going to cost upwards of at least $65.00 here is Cali and more elsewhere. this is the kind of drop that should be regularly stocked on every scotch drinkers shelves for its affordability and reliability. if you're loaded then by all means complain and buy a higher whisky. if you're like the rest is us, be grateful this Balvenie exists and is always available and affordable.
I too prefer to peatier more robust malts but found this offering to be quite enjoyable and refreshing nonetheless. Plenty of honey/sweet notes joined by vanilla and a slight nuttiness...Even picked up some very slight lemon notes (unless my olfacctorys misfired). A bit more of an alcohol burn than I would expect from a seemingly gentle scotch but nothing overwhelming. The finish is warm though I agree with others that it disappears in short order. Medium length finish is a reasonable statement. Certainly would consider this as a "go to" whisky when I'm looking for something different than an Islay...but that's not very often. ;)
This dram is quality and complexity and simplicity achieved at a great price point. I have a well rounded and experienced profile for Scotch whisky, thus can confidently say that for forty dollars here in California, this offering from Balvenie should be a go to for he serious Scotch drinker. for all the flavoring notes and such, read the description atop and other reviewers who reflect that. They are right on. It is fruity yet resonant with deeper notes, oak and a thread of sherry. The only accusation I can agree to is that it doesn't hang around extraordinary long. I'd say the finish is of medium length, not short. The nose is inviting with nuts and vanilla. It is smooth on the palate with just enough spice. This is a wonderful 12 year old, and you won't find many 12's that can come close to this at such affordable price. it is my quintessential daily dram for a man with a modest to above average budget.
Repugnant smell and taste like a Bourbon
full body, very warm, full of honey and vanilla, may the best malt i have ever tasted.
