🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Years Old

A signature Speyside single malt matured in two distinct cask types—American oak and Spanish Oloroso sherry. This iconic expression showcases Master Maltster David C. Stewart’s pioneering “cask finishing” technique and remains one of Balvenie’s most beloved whiskies worldwide.

🧩 Features & Details

Brand / Expression: The Balvenie – DoubleWood 12 Years Old
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region / Origin: Speyside, Scotland
ABV: 40% (also available in 43% in some regions)
Bottle Size: Commonly 700 ml / 750 ml
Maturation / Cask Details:

• First cask: Ex–American oak bourbon barrels (adds sweetness, vanilla, and smoothness)

• Second cask: Spanish Oloroso sherry butts (adds depth, spice, and dried-fruit richness)
  This dual-cask process, introduced by David C. Stewart, shaped modern cask-finishing techniques.
  Status: Core range; one of Balvenie’s flagship permanent expressions.

👃 Tasting Notes

Nose:
Sweet fruit, honey, vanilla, and warm spices; gentle dried fruit and subtle nuttiness from the sherry finish.

Palate:
Smooth, mellow, and well-rounded; flavours of honeyed malt, cinnamon, creamy vanilla, dried raisins, toffee, and soft oak. Balanced and comforting.

Finish:
Long and warming; sweet oak, gentle spice, and lingering sherry richness.

⭐ Independent Review Highlights

• Frequently praised as one of the best-value single malts in the 12-year category.

• Loved for its approachability, smoothness, and balanced flavour layers.

• Considered a benchmark Speyside whisky and a global favourite among both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.

• Reviewers highlight its consistency and its role in showcasing Balvenie’s craftsmanship.

🎁 Presentation & Collectibility

Ideal For:
Whisky newcomers, Speyside fans, everyday sipping, gifting, and collectors seeking core-range classics.

Serving Suggestion:
Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open up the honey and vanilla notes. Also pairs beautifully with desserts like crème brûlée or almond pastries.

Collectible Notes:

• Not rare, but a must-have for any Balvenie-focused collection.

• Earlier bottlings (older packaging, higher ABV, or pre-2010 editions) hold additional collector interest.

• Condition of box and bottle helps retain long-term value for sealed units.