Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood

Whisky Type/Region: Single Malt Scotch Whisky/Speyside (Dufftown)

Bottle Size: 750ml

Alcohol by Volume: 43%

Notes: The Balvenie distillery is owned by William Grant & Sons, who also own the Glenfiddich distillery, but the whisky from each of these respected distilleries is remarkably different. In fact, this particular 12 year old, reminds me more of Dalmore's 12 year old, than Glenfiddich's more Apéritif styled 12. Both the Balvenie 12 and the Dalmore 12 have been aged in Bourbon casks and Sherry casks. Both have similar notes of orange and vanilla. Both are remarkably complex for their age. Where they differ, seems to come from the the unique personalities of their master blenders, who are both icons in the Scotch industry. Where the Dalmore 12 is bold and intense like it's blender the congenial and anyways entertaining Richard Paterson, the Balvenie DoubleWood is more subtle and smooth, much like Balvenie's Malt Master, the modest and more reserved David Sewart. 

I have to note that I love Balvenie's packaging. Their bottle is simply elegant. It has a classic old world look to it's simply shaped bottle, with it's still shaped neck, natural wood capped cork, and parchment styled label. I actually prefer this kind of packaging over the more modern styled bottles and labels some distributor's are going to. 

Nose: Vanilla and orange, with a hint of honey.

Taste: A fruity orange that gives way to flavors of cinnamon, baked apples and raisins. 

Finish: The finish is remarkably long for whisky of this age, with the raisins and a hint of vanilla fading last. 

My Personal Ranking: 86/100

Slainte Mhath!