Balvenie 12 Year Doublewood Review
Shelf Review
Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.
Seeing a 12 year old Scottish malt listed for $60 is an unfortunate part of everyday life now. Gone are the days that entry level 12 years old could be had for under $30; and sadly those days may never come back. But don’t be fooled by the age statement. This Balvenie 12 Doublewood is far from being an entry level malt whisky. While others make do with simply using ex-bourbon barrels for their entry malts, Balvenie instead uses a double maturation process that includes first aging in ex-bourbon barrels before then moving the whisky into European sherry casks for a final stint to add a bit more flavor. The result? Well – let’s dive in and find out if it’s worth it’s relatively high price point.
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Cask: Double maturation first in ex-bourbon barrels and then European sherry oak.
MSRP: $60
Distillery Name: The Balvenie
Review Date: 9/2/22
Nose: Bright caramel nougat, oak dryness, and a touch of sherry funk. As it settles in the glass, more dark fruit and toasted whipped cream come to the forefront on top of a layer of even more sherry nutty richness. Excellent nose.
Palate: First sip is gentler on the palate than the nose before building into waves of dark red fruits and raisins. Orchard fruit, apples, plums, raspberries, dates, and sweet nuttiness abound. Full bodied, with good mouthfeel. Heat is subdued and lets the flavors shine.
Finish: Soft and short to medium length finish. Honey, bitter chocolate, and toasted oak. Less sherry influence and more bourbon oak on the finish.
