Balvenie 12yo DoubleWood
The Balvenie 12yo DoubleWood is a classic expression. It might not be as recognizable as a Glenlivet 12 (R.I.P.) or as iconic as the Lagavulin 16, but it is a classic nonetheless. The DoubleWood name of course stands for the maturation in two different wood types. First a long period in ex-bourbon casks, after which it is finished in first fill European oak sherry casks.
Balvenie 12yo DoubleWood (40%, OB)
Nose: Soft notes of oak, vanilla and honey. Some more sweetness is provided by brown sugar. Fruitiness in the form of stewed apples and oranges.
Taste: Sweet beeswax and vanilla, a little too sweet at first. It balances out a bit with the presence of spices (cloves), burnt caramel and toasted oak. A hint of plums.
Finish: Short to medium in length. Spicy with a touch of marzipan.
Rating: 81
A sweet and spicy Speysider. Nothing to brag about, but it is a decent whisky for a decent price.
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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