Whisky Dictionary

All whiskies / Scotland

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old

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The classic 'wood finish': matured in American oak, then given about nine months in sherry casks. A mellow, approachable Speyside malt with honey, vanilla, nutty sweetness and cinnamon.

Details

BrandThe Balvenie
DistilleryThe Balvenie
OriginScotland / Speyside
StyleSingle Malt
Age12 yrs
ABV40%
CaskAmerican oak, finished in sherry casks

Flavour profile

Smoky
Sweet
Fruity
Spicy
Rich

* Editorial estimate.

Tasting notes

Nose
Sweet fruit and oloroso sherry layered with honey and vanilla.
Palate
Smooth and mellow — nutty sweetness, cooked fruit and cinnamon spice with a gentle layer of sherry.
Finish
Long and warming, with honeyed sweetness and soft oak.

* Editorial tasting notes.

How to enjoy it

  • Neat
  • On the rocks
  • With water

Enjoy it neat, on the rocks or with a splash of water. Its gentle sweetness makes it an easy first step into single malt.

Food pairing

Roast pork, mild cheeses, baked apples and nut-based desserts.

Background & production

Made at The Balvenie in Dufftown, Speyside — a William Grant & Sons distillery that still malts some of its own barley on traditional floors and keeps its own coopers and coppersmith.

DoubleWood is matured for 12 years in American oak casks, which mellow the spirit and add vanilla, then moved into European oak sherry casks for around nine more months, adding fruity, honeyed depth. Launched in 1993, it is one of the best-known examples of wood finishing, a technique pioneered by malt master David Stewart.

In Japan and the UK it is bottled at 40%.

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    Sources: masterofmalt.com / kakaku.com / en.wikipedia.org

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