The Balvenie 12 Years Old Stories Series – The Sweet Toast of American Oak (70cl, 43%)

This is a 12 year old single malt from The Balvenie, part of its Stories series, bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The whisky matures for 12 years in bourbon casks, then moves into new oak casks brought from Kentucky and deeply toasted. The aim was a Balvenie with more fruit and a sweeter character, with candied fruit, coconut and vanilla running through it. On the nose there is sweet, fudge-like malt with ginger and cinnamon in the oak. The palate brings candied orange, lemon peel, vanilla toffee and butterscotch, with floral nectar and melted brown sugar, and a gentle oak and spice finish to the flavours.