The Balvenie – DoubleWood 12 Year Old (75cl, 40%)

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is a single malt from The Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown, bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. It was launched in 1993. The whisky spends at least 12 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, then a further nine months in Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and is finally married for three to four months in oak tuns. The technique was pioneered at the distillery by David Stewart MBE, then its Malt Master. The producer's notes describe sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry with honey and vanilla on the nose, nutty sweetness, cinnamon spice and a light layer of sherry on the palate, and a long, warming finish.