The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750mL

The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Single Malt Scotch Whisky | 43% ABV (86 Proof) | 750 mL

Process & Profile

This iconic Speyside single malt is aged for 12 years, initially in traditional American oak ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for a further nine months. A final few months in large wooden tuns allow the whiskies to marry harmoniously, yielding a rich and complex flavor profile crafted under the stewardship of long-time Malt Master David C. Stewart, who pioneered wood-finishing in the 1980s.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Sweet orchard fruits and Oloroso sherry, with honey, vanilla, gentle nutmeg, light spice, and a hint of cinnamon

• Palate: Creamy and mellow—raspberries, dark fruits, raisin, sponge cake, cinnamon, milk chocolate, and black pepper

• Finish: Warm, medium-long with toasted oak, dark fruit, rich spice, and lingering honey

What Makes It Special

• One of the earliest double-matured whiskies, launched in 1993, now a classic example of the style

• Dual maturation enhances depth: American oak provides base sweetness, sherry casks enrich with fruit and spice

• Handcrafted at Balvenie—a rare distillery that grows, malts, and distills on-site

• Crafted by industry legend David C. Stewart, recipient of the MBE for services to whisky

• Regarded as an essential Speyside single malt—balanced, refined, and widely acclaimed

How to Enjoy

Serve neat in a tulip or Glencairn glass to appreciate the multi-layered flavors. Ideal as an after-dinner dram or as a refined whisky for special occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ABV?
   43% (86 proof).

2. What is “DoubleWood”?
   Aged 12 years in American oak, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, then married in large tuns.

3. When was it first released?
   Originally released in 1993—the distillery’s first wood-finished single malt.

4. Is it a good entry-level Scotch?
   Yes—accessible yet complex, a classic introduction to Speyside whisky.

5. Does Balvenie produce all steps on-site?
   Yes—one of the few Scottish distilleries to malt, distill, cask, and bottle under one roof.

6. How does it compare to the 14 Year Caribbean Cask?
   DoubleWood is richer and fruitier, with more spice; the Caribbean Cask is lighter and tropical.