The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is a Speyside single malt that gains its distinctive character from maturation in two woods, first in traditional American oak whisky casks and then in first-fill European oak sherry casks.
DoubleWood was launched in 1993, using a process designed in 1982 by The Balvenie's former Malt Master David C. Stewart and now widely known as wood finishing. The Balvenie, in Dufftown in the heart of Speyside, has made single malt since 1892, distilling 100% malted barley in traditional copper pot stills. American oak mellows the spirit and imparts warming layers of vanilla spice, and after twelve years the whisky moves for about nine months to Oloroso sherry casks, adding fruity, honeyed depth.
Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes are layered with honey and vanilla, with gentle spice through a long finish.
A classic introduction to cask-finished whisky, it makes an elegant gift.
Enjoy it neat or with a drop of water.
Scotch whisky must be distilled and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks, and any age statement on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle.
Speyside, in north-east Scotland along the River Spey, is home to more distilleries than any other whisky region and is known for elegant, fruity malts.
The Balvenie is one of the few distilleries that still grows some of its own barley, malts part of it on traditional floors and keeps its own coopers and coppersmith.
Oloroso sherry casks give dried fruit, nuts and spice, which layer over the vanilla and honey of the American oak.
Tasting Notes
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Fruit: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry.
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Sweetness: Honey and vanilla.
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Spice: Warming vanilla spice.
Specifications
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Producer: The Balvenie Distillery
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Style: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Age: 12 years
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Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: American oak, then first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry casks
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Region: Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Enjoy it neat or with a little water. It pairs with fruit cake, honey cake or aged cheddar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wood finishing?
Moving whisky to a second cask type, here sherry, for extra character.
Who created DoubleWood?
Malt Master David C. Stewart, launched in 1993.
How long in sherry casks?
About nine months after twelve years in American oak.
Explore more in our Scotch collection.
