Balvenie 12 Doublewood Review

Last Updated on: 26th April 2024, 10:00 pm

Explore a comprehensive review covering everything you need about Balvenie 12!

Written by: J Highland

Balvenie 12: Smooth Speyside Single Malt for Easy Sipping

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While I usually enjoy bolder whiskies, Balvenie 12 holds a special place in my collection for its easy-drinking character.

Perfect for Beginners or Casual Gatherings

This Speyside single malt is a great choice for those new to whisky or looking for a smooth dram for entertaining. Its approachable flavor profile avoids overpowering smoke or peat.

Balanced Sweetness and Spice

Balvenie 12 offers a delightful combination of sweetness and spice without being overly sugary. The finish is smooth and free of any harsh alcohol burn.

Enjoyable Neat or With Water

This whisky is versatile. Enjoy it neat to appreciate its full flavor profile or add a splash of water for an even smoother experience.

A Crowd-Pleasing Choice

For those who prefer a well-rounded whisky over something overly sweet or complex, Balvenie 12 is a perfect choice. It delivers a consistently pleasant and easy-drinking experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

• Related: Best Unpeated Scotch Whiskies
• Learn more: Balvenie 12 Website

What’s unique about this whisky?

Balvenie has earned a reputation for its exceptionally smooth whiskies, skillfully crafted by MBE Master Distiller Dave Stewart.

The DoubleWood 12-year expression is no exception, standing out as one of the smoothest single malts in its category.

How does it taste?

• 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: Aberlour 12

Balvenie 12 offers a delightful aroma with abundant ripe fruit, sherry, vanilla, and honey notes.

The palate is creamy and satisfying, with a pleasant mouthfeel.

The flavor profile includes mixed nuts, citrus peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and sherry.

The finish is long, featuring oak spice and vanilla without unpleasant notes.

Balvenie 12 FAQ

Here is a quick FAQ to address your inquiries:

Is it smoky?

• Balvenie 12 is entirely free from peat, smoke, or challenging notes, resulting in an incredibly smooth and easy-to-drink whisky.

Is it chill-filtered?

• Yes, Balvenie 12 is a chill-filtered Scotch.
• This standard industry process prevents the whisky from becoming hazy, but some purists dislike it, claiming it robs the whisky of precious flavors.

Does it use caramel coloring?

• Balvenie uses artificial caramel coloring, a practice common in the industry, to enhance the whisky’s appearance.
• I disapprove of this practice, as I feel it compromises its authenticity.

Aging

• The Doublewood is aged in second or third-fill American barrels for 12 years, then rested in first-fill Oloroso Sherry butts for nine months before bottling.

How to drink it?

• Balvenie 12 benefits from adding a dash of water to break the whisky and release floral aromas and caramel-tasting notes, enhancing the drinking experience.

Also read: How to Drink Balvenie

Alternatives

• Consider Macallan Sherry Oak 12, a smooth and uncolored option.

Is it suitable for beginners?

• Balvenie 12 is suitable for beginners due to its easy-drinking nature without harsh notes, smoke, or peat.

Price

• United States: $63
• Canada: $120
• UK: £47
• Australia: $120

Alcohol content

• Bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), higher than the average Scotch Whisky alcohol content, while still providing a smooth pour.

Does it expire?

• Alcoholic beverages do not expire.
• It will last for years when stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.

Awards & Accolades:

• Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, which described it as “silky and downright succulent.”

How is it made?

• For over 100 years, Balvenie has been made from barley grown on Balvenie Mains, a 1,000-acre farm adjacent to the distillery.
• The barley is malted at the distillery’s malting floor, a rarity as most distilleries outsource this process.
• Milled and mashed at the distillery using proprietary yeast for fermentation.
• Distilled twice through copper-pot stills to ensure smoothness by removing sulfur from the fermentation process.
• Aged initially in bourbon barrels and then finished in Oloroso casks.

How did I review Balvenie 12?

I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.

My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.

I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.

Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.

⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.

Balvenie 12: Specs

Type of Whisky	Single Malt
Age statement	12Y
Proof	86
ABV	43%
Is it good?	Yes
Is it top-shelf?	Almost
Does it expire?	No
Sweet?	Mostly
Warm?	No
Peaty?	No
Good for beginners?	Yes
Good for cocktails?	No
Good with Coke?	No
Calories per shot	108
Gluten-free	Yes
Keto-friendly	Yes
Kosher	No