The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old Scotch coming in at 43% abv. It derives its name from being matured in two different types of oak barrels. The second part of the maturation is done in sherry casks.
Accordingly, this Scotch is not the sherry bomb that other sherry-aged Scotches are, but it certainly doesn't go unnoticed. In fact, the Sherry is obvious on the nose, along with the distinct aroma of pipe tobacco.
On the palate, the sherry flavor dominates, but not exceedingly so. It is definitely a lighter, fruitier Scotch, with an undertone of oak and walnut to it. It has a nice citrus balance on the finish that I found to be the most enjoyable part, but dissipated quickly.
Interestingly, the sherry notes got stronger the longer this bottle was open. Granted, I very much enjoyed these pours, so the bottle wasn't exactly sitting open on my counter for months. But, even after a week this whisky blossomed to offer an even greater explosion of flavor up front.
While not as complex as other Scotches from The Balvenie, this is a strong 12 year old Scotch. It's very drinkable and has a lot to offer. Granted it is a bit pricier than other 12 year olds, but in this case the higher price point is justified. Quite frankly, I've come to expect no less from The Balvenie.
Grade: B
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