Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood

Profile: The Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood at a glance

• Winner of the Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge 2023 & 2024
• Double Gold Winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021 & 2022
• Gold Outstanding (96 points) at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2021
• Master (Best in Category) at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2020
• Best Speyside Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the World Whiskies Awards 2019
• Matured in former Bourbon & Sherry casks
• The Balvenie Double Wood is one of the most popular single malts for a reason

Portrait: What makes the Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood special

There are whiskies - and then there's the Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood. And what can we say? The name says it all: twice the wood, twice the good. Anyone who thinks someone simply sawed the same oak tree twice is seriously mistaken. Because this fine drop has two homes: First, it spends 11.5 years in cozy former bourbon casks, where it sits back and relaxes, practicing Scottish patience. It then ages in fine sherry casks for half a year – like a Scottish student on a semester abroad in Spain. The result: A whisky with depth, character, and a charming hint of "olé."

The whole thing is produced at the Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown – a place that (it seems) has more distilleries than pubs. Since 1892, the whisky has been lovingly hand-distilled, malted, aged, and occasionally marveled at. Balvenie is one of the last distilleries in Scotland to still produce its own malted barley – old school, but with style.

And although this whisky is twelve years old, it doesn't seem rusty at all – more like a Scottish gentleman in a tweed suit, quickly writing a poem about sherry after a walk in the Highlands.

In short: The Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood is like a good joke – it needs timing, depth, and a finish that sticks in your mind. Those who try it may not immediately become whisky connoisseurs, but they'll most likely become fans. Slàinte!

Tasting Notes: This is how the Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood tastes like

• Nose: Malty aromas of ground barley characterize the first impression. This is followed by subtle aromas of nuts, complemented by a fruity component. Grapefruit brings a light citrus freshness, while cherries provide darker tones.
• Palate: The overall taste is sweet and round, with clear fruitiness. Oranges and red berries are in the foreground. Light spicy notes and vanilla are also present. A subtle hint of peat is noticeable in the background, but very subtle.
• Finish: The finish is dry and spicy, with a pleasant, warming note that lingers for a medium length.