Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 06:18 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore the differences between Balvenie 12 and Balvenie 14 in this comprehensive comparison to determine your preferred Single Malt!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Balvenie 12 vs Balvenie 14: Comparison
The Balvenie 12: Smooth, balanced single malt with honey, toffee, and vanilla aroma. Palate has caramel, apple, and citrus. Finishes with spicy oak, nuts. Best neat. 86 proof.
The Balvenie 14: Fruity, smooth single malt with vanilla, banana, pineapple nose. Palate combines vanilla, honey, fruit, tobacco. Long vanilla, oak spice finish. Add water. 86 proof.
Verdict: Both The Balvenie 12 and The Balvenie 14 offer unique, enjoyable experiences. The Balvenie 12 shines with its balanced smoothness and subtle sweetness, while The Balvenie 14 stands out for its fruity profile and smoothness, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best 14-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
The Balvenie 12: A Smooth and Balanced Single Malt Delight
- Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear
- Palate: Caramel, apple, citrus
- Finish: Spicy oak, roasted nuts
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Dalmore 12
The Balvenie 12 offers a welcoming and enjoyable taste experience for Scotch whisky enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate a balanced and smooth dram. Here’s a closer look:
Inviting Aroma: The Balvenie 12 opens with a rich and inviting aroma, featuring a delightful combination of ripe fruit, sherry, honey, and vanilla notes.
Pleasantly Textured: The palate is met with a satisfying mouthfeel, offering a pleasant texture that adds to the overall drinking experience.
Well-Rounded Flavor: The flavor profile is well-balanced, blending notes of mixed nuts, citrus peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and sherry. This creates a complex and enjoyable taste without being overly sweet or spicy.
Lingering Finish: The finish endures, leaving a delicate oak spice and subtle vanilla notes that linger on the palate.
Smooth and Approachable: This whisky is known for its smooth character and enjoyable aroma. It strikes a good balance between sweetness and spice, making it a great choice for a variety of palates.
Simple Enjoyment: The Balvenie 12 offers a simple yet satisfying taste experience. It finishes smoothly without any harsh alcohol notes, making it a great choice for both sipping neat or enjoying with a splash of water to enhance the oak and sweetness.
A Top Choice: This expression is a highly regarded 12-year-old single malt, recognized for its smooth character and well-balanced flavor profile. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate subtle sweetness in their whisky and are looking for a smooth and enjoyable dram.
Award-Winning: The Balvenie 12 Doublewood has earned recognition for its quality, winning the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Unique Maturation: This expression undergoes a unique two-step maturation process. First, it ages for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by an additional nine months in Oloroso sherry butts. This process contributes to the whisky’s complex and well-rounded flavor profile, with hints of fruit, sherry, and spice.
Enjoying Balvenie 12: While enjoying neat is recommended, adding a touch of water can be a personal preference, potentially enhancing the oak and sweetness according to your taste.
Balvenie 14: A Delightfully Fruity and Smooth Single Malt
- Nose: Vanilla, banana, pineapple, pepper
- Palate: Vanilla, honey, ripe fruit, tobacco
- Finish: Long, vanilla, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Glenlivet Caribbean
The Balvenie 14 offers a unique and inviting taste experience for Scotch whisky enthusiasts, particularly those seeking a smooth and fruity dram. Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:
Tropical Delight: The aroma is initially sweet, filled with ripe tropical fruits and a hint of black pepper.
Smooth and Balanced: The palate is remarkably smooth, offering a pleasant and well-balanced sweetness. Vanilla and honey flavors take center stage, accompanied by hints of ripe fruit and a touch of tobacco.
Warm Finish: The finish is warm and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression of vanilla and subtle oak spice.
A Fruity Standout: What truly sets the Balvenie 14 apart is its delightful fruity taste, attributed to its unique maturation process. This process involves initial aging in American oak barrels, followed by a finishing touch in Caribbean rum casks, a technique pioneered by Balvenie’s Malt Master, David C. Stewart.
Exceptionally Smooth: Notably mild and free from harshness, smoke, peat, or unusual flavors, the Balvenie 14 is perfect for everyday sipping. Its smooth texture and approachable sweetness make it a great choice for both experienced whisky drinkers and newcomers alike.
Award-Winning: Recognized for its quality, the Balvenie 14 has earned accolades like Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019 and a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2011.
Unique Maturation: This expression’s distinct flavor profile is a result of its unique maturation process. After aging in American oak barrels, the whisky undergoes a finishing touch in Caribbean rum casks, infusing it with the characteristic tropical fruit notes. This innovative approach by David C. Stewart has revolutionized the way whisky is matured and continues to be a signature technique for The Balvenie.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Balvenie 12 | $74 |
| Balvenie 14 | $90 |