SHORT REVIEW: The Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood Single Malt Speyside Scotch

Distilled in copper pot stills, The Balvenie 12 is a Speyside scotch bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV). Aged first in ex-bourbon American White Oak barrels, the scotch is then aged for an undisclosed amount of time in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. After this, the scotch is transferred to large oak containers called tuns where the individually aged whiskies meld for 3-4 months.

The tasting notes below are based on multiple spaced-out notes-taking sessions using Glencairn glasses.

COLOR: Dark Gold

NOSE: Sweet, led by an array of fresh fruits (fruit punch, orchard fruits – chiefly pears, apricots, peaches, & plums) & dried figs, dates, raisins, & sweet cherries, honeyed vanilla, honeysuckle, sweet light smokiness, light butterscotch, sweet malt, & oak/barrel notes with some cinnamon.

PALATE: Oak is prominent at first followed by a creamy, fruity & malty sweetness characterized by honey, butterscotch/creamy caramel with vanilla, & ending with a mix of cinnamon, black pepper, & some oak tannin bitterness (but not too much). The finish brings a pleasant warming heat across the palate. The palate is sweet but not as sweet as the aroma profile suggests it will be. The other flavors meld well with the fruity, butterscotch/caramel sweetness & the cinnamon, black pepper, & oak tannins keep the sweeter notes balanced.

FINISH: Medium (7-8 seconds)

MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity; I’d like to see what this would taste like at a higher proof.

VALUE: Nice sipping scotch with prominent sweet malt & orchard fruit notes; The Balvenie’s price point is high.

ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? If I can find this on significant sale (which it is in VA), I will always have a bottle or two (or maybe three) on my shelf because I enjoy its aroma & flavor profiles.