Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:35 am
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.
Discover the differences between Balvenie DoubleWood 12 vs Balvenie DoubleWood 17 in this in-depth comparison and decide which is better for You!
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 DoubleWood 12 vs Balvenie DoubleWood 17: Comparison
Balvenie DoubleWood 12: A balanced Speyside whisky with notes of honey, toffee, and pear. Palate includes caramel, apple, and citrus. Finishes with spicy oak. Smooth and versatile, perfect for neat enjoyment.
Balvenie DoubleWood 17: Opens with vanilla, dried fruit, and honey. The palate brings spice, caramel, and toasted oak. Finishes sweet with caramel. Rich and oaky, offering a smooth experience when enjoyed neat.
Verdict: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 and Balvenie DoubleWood 17 both offer smooth, well-balanced experiences. The 12-year-old is accessible and versatile, great for those new to whisky or seeking balance. The 17-year-old, while pricier, provides a deeper, oakier experience, appealing to those looking for matured richness. Each exemplifies Balvenie’s commitment to craft and quality, making them excellent choices within their respective age statements, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top Balvenie Whisky Picks
Balvenie DoubleWood 12: A Smooth & Balanced Speyside Delight
- Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear
- Palate: Caramel, apple, citrus, mixed nuts
- Finish: Spicy oak, roasted nuts
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Dalmore 12
Aromas of ripe fruit, inviting hints of sherry, vanilla, and honey, greet you first, setting the stage for a pleasantly sweet experience.
Creamy and smooth: The first sip reveals a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel that enhances the enjoyable experience. Flavors unfold, offering a subtle blend of nuts, orange peel, vanilla, and cinnamon, with a touch of subtle sherry influence.
Balanced and lingering finish: The finish is satisfying, lingering with hints of oak spice, vanilla, and caramel. This single malt strikes a pleasing balance between sweetness and spice, making it highly drinkable.
Approachable and versatile: Balvenie 12 presents a velvety and approachable whisky that’s not overly sweet or heavily influenced by sherry. It lacks excessive complexity but offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy a balanced flavor profile with no harsh aftertaste. Enjoy it neat or even with a touch of water, making it a versatile choice for various palates.
Balvenie 12 facts:
- Unique aging process: This Speyside single malt undergoes a double-maturation process. It spends 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels followed by an additional 9 months in Oloroso sherry butts, contributing to its distinct character.
- Sherry influence: Oloroso sherry is a dry and aromatic sherry wine from Jerez, Spain, known for adding subtle sweetness and complexity to whiskies aged in these casks.
- Crafted by a legend: Developed by Malt Master David Stewart MBE, a pioneer in whisky maturation techniques, known for being the first to age whisky in a wine barrel in the 1980s.
- Award-winning: Balvenie 12-year-old Doublewood has received recognition, earning the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Balvenie DoubleWood 17: A Smooth & Oaky Treat
- Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, honey, caramel
- Palate: Spice, caramel, toasted oak, cereal, banana
- Finish: Sweet oak, caramel
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Balvenie 21
Aromatic invitation: The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 opens with an enticing blend of vanilla, dried fruits, honey, and caramel. This inviting aroma sets the stage for a pleasant tasting experience.
Rich and smooth on the palate: The first sip reveals an oily texture that contributes to a smooth and enjoyable mouthfeel. Flavors unfold, offering notes of spice, toasted oak, cereal, vanilla, toffee, honey, burnt sugar, cinnamon, banana, and walnuts.
Long and satisfying finish: The finish is long and pleasantly sweet, lingering with oaky notes. This dram shares similarities with the 12-year-old Balvenie DoubleWood, but with enhanced oak influence due to extended aging.
A balanced and approachable choice: While not the most complex single malt on the market, the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 offers a smooth and pleasant experience from start to finish. It boasts a rich and sweet oak character that will appeal to those seeking an easy-drinking whisky.
Price consideration: While the price point might be higher than some may expect for its complexity, this whisky delivers a satisfying experience for those who appreciate its unique profile.
Balvenie 17 facts:
- This single malt undergoes a unique double-maturation process. After spending 17 years in American oak casks, it is transferred to ex-sherry casks for an additional 6-12 months.
- Released in 2012 to commemorate Balvenie’s Master Blender, David Stewart’s, 50th anniversary at the distillery.
- Balvenie is owned by Scotland-based William Grant & Sons, also known for brands like Glenfiddich.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 | $55 |
| Balvenie DoubleWood 17 | $180 |