Balvenie
12 Years Old - DoubleWood
- 40
- 70cl
- Taste: 3
- Speyside
William Grant established The Balvenie Distillery in 1892 in Dufftown. After successfully running the Glenfiddich Distillery, he purchased Balvenie New House, a large estate near Glenfiddich, to expand his operations. Production officially began in 1893, initially using second-hand stills from Lagavulin and Glen Albyn distilleries. Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to...
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William Grant established The Balvenie Distillery in 1892 in Dufftown. After successfully running the Glenfiddich Distillery, he purchased Balvenie New House, a large estate near Glenfiddich, to expand his operations. Production officially began in 1893, initially using second-hand stills from Lagavulin and Glen Albyn distilleries.
Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the distillery is one of the few remaining that still grows its own barley, malts its grain on a traditional malting floor, and maintains its own cooperage and coppersmith.
Today, William Grant & Sons operates the distillery and it continues to be a family-run business. The distillery produces a wide range of single malts, known for their rich, honeyed character.
Balvenie DoubleWood was launched in 1993, using a process designed by Honorary Ambassador and Former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE in 1982, now commonly known as 'wood finishing'. He pioneered this technique of finishing, making him a leading figure, and expert, in crafting these whisky expressions.
This bottling gains its distinctive character from being matured in two different wood types. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt whisky. Many years of maturation in traditional whisky casks mellows the maturating spirit and imparts warming layers of vanilla spiciness. Further maturation in European Oak Sherry casks increases complexity, bringing fruity, honeyed depths to the resulting Single Malt.
Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the distillery is one of the few remaining that still grows its own barley, malts its grain on a traditional malting floor, and maintains its own cooperage and coppersmith.
Today, William Grant & Sons operates the distillery and it continues to be a family-run business. The distillery produces a wide range of single malts, known for their rich, honeyed character.
Balvenie DoubleWood was launched in 1993, using a process designed by Honorary Ambassador and Former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE in 1982, now commonly known as 'wood finishing'. He pioneered this technique of finishing, making him a leading figure, and expert, in crafting these whisky expressions.
This bottling gains its distinctive character from being matured in two different wood types. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt whisky. Many years of maturation in traditional whisky casks mellows the maturating spirit and imparts warming layers of vanilla spiciness. Further maturation in European Oak Sherry casks increases complexity, bringing fruity, honeyed depths to the resulting Single Malt.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig