My girlfriend's father is a scotch whiskey aficionado and gave me a bottle of this as a gift. Being a 22 year old college student living in Kansas and having very little exposure to fine whiskey, to me this was like heaven in a glass. This was the first whiskey where i was actually able to taste all of the different flavors. Its very smooth and there is no bite. Its honestly the best whiskey ive ever tasted
I've had one of those moments where I realize how seminal Ralfy is, and what a moment in time this is for whisky reviews. He is absolutely the greatest whisky authority online. Completely irreplaceable. Passionate and dedicated to whisky.
Ralfy! The bottle of Doublewood I bought last week is far inferior to what I remember. I am convinced that it was not actually aged 12 years. I think it is much younger. Please re-review this and hold their feet to the fire! It used to be one of my favorites.
I just bought a bottle of this today in Tasmania, Australia. I’m looking forward to enjoying a glass or three this evening. Great review as always Ralfy. Thanks!
I just bought a small bottle of this doublewood. I really like the honey and floral notes in the whiskey, but they vanish after they are poured into a glass, let it sit for a while and it reappears. Very smooth taste and more less no smokeyness which i like aswelll in whiskeys
This weekend I've been doing this Balvenie vs Glenfarclas 12. I remembered my last bottle of Glenfarclas as having a nice oak nose so that's why I picked these two. Head to head, the oak seems well matched. There's some kind of bitterness in the Glenfarclas that I can't figure out and the Balvenie has a touch of what I perceive as tobacco. I'm leaning towards the Balvenie in this match-up.
Hi Ralfy, have you considered a re-review of this one? I'm quite curious if it has got anywhere since then. I'm so bummed that they still won't bottle the DW at 46 %. Or at least loose the chill-filtration.
I am also interested in a re-review of this. The first time I had it was shortly after Dan's comment was made and it instantly became one of my favorites. I just bought another bottle last week and it tastes different to me. I don't know if it is just my taste that has changed, though.
I'm watching this review as I am finishing my last dram from the bottle. Sweet, light flowery with hints of vanilla scotch. This definately made my buy again list. Very tasty!
I got one for Christmas and have just opened it - nice savoury flavour and more sherried than I expected, plus I like the 'home-made' barley flavours. I was pleasantly surprised.
Ralfy I think you should re-review this one. In ~2010 It used to be one of my standard recommendations to people making their first steps with malts. I considered it an excellent value/money choice back then. After some years that I didn't try it I decided to buy a bottle a few months ago and I was in for a big disappointment.
Hi Ralfy, had a dram of this yesterday and felt that it had added caramel and may have been chill filtered (but not mentioned on the bottle), nice though and widely available, picked mine up from Sainsburys yesterday as a treat to myself
The Caribbean Cask is actually a US only release for the moment (not sure if it's also available in Canada). I for one was worried it might be too sweet but it's surprisingly well balanced.
I recently picked up the 12 year Doublewood and have to say that Ralfy is dead on about the finish just going away after a short period of time. I was also surprised by how hot this whisky was...being pretty rough around the edges. Perhaps I just got a bad bottling, but I think I'll go with the 12 year Single Barrel next time I want a Balvenie.
Really? That's extremely strange a this is perhaps the most mild whiskey i have on my shelve. My tongue doesn't even tickle. A very soft and harmonic malt without any roughness around the edges what so ever. Actually i think that balvenie is a little too mild, should have been bottled at higher strength. Edit: And with whiskey i actually mean single malt (since we are talking about single malt i thought it was obvious). Cheap Blends are ofc made to be "easy to drink", which means generally very mild and soft and without any taste whatsoever haha.
Hi Ralfy, had the balvenie doublewood last evening with a friend of mine & yes your review pretty much sums up what we felt tasting it as well. I somehow got a feeling that this doublewood is much closer to a Bourbon than a Scottish single malt in character & taste. Not bad but nothing special about it either. Suffice to say, tasted it & its not going to be on my shopping list in future. Am sure there are more intriguing & tasty single malts out there, cheers!
I just acquired a bottle of the Caribbean cask so I just wanted to see how it stacked up against other scotchs. Thanks for your replay! I really enjoy your videos.
I went to a Balvenie tasting a few weeks back and they had the 12 year old Double Wood, 14 year old Rum Cask, 15 year old Single Barrel, and the 21 year old Port Cask. The 14 year old was the stand out for me. One of the best whisky's I've tried thus far. The single barrel barrel was just too strong and the 21 year old didn't really do it for me. For a $200 USD bottle I felt it to be overpriced for what you got... But definitely try the 14 year old Ralfy. You will definitely enjoy it!
I actually pick up hints of toffee in the taste with the Caribbean Cask...I'll try your advice on covering the glass, and I'll try to find the tropical fruit as well...It's been a while since I've had a dram of this whisky (been spending time enjoying the Balvenie 15 yr Single Cask, 17 yr Peated Cask, 17 yr Madiera Cask, and some highland malts these past several months).
This is my favorite single malt I have tried so far. Delicious flavors of sherry, vanilla, chocolate, and rich fruits. Very affordable. Much better than Macallan 12, Glenlivet & Glenfiddich 12, Chivas 12 Johnnie Walker Black label. Even better than the blue label! But for me, Johnnie Walker Gold Label is my alternate favorite.
I've tried them both and the Balvene is MUCH better that the Glenlivet 12. Its body is richer, the taste is bolder but doesn't overwhelm and it has a slight hint of vanilla which gives it a great nose. I rate it even slightly better than The Macallan 12...and I'm a BIG Mac 12 fan. The Glenlivet 12 is, in my opinion, a great dram for scotch beginners. After acquiring the taste, one desires a bolder, richer body. Once sampled, the Glenlivet 12 is a bit bland. However, the Glenlivet 18 remains my favorite dram.
I tasted it along with you , Ralfy ........ and thought it was rather good . I think we might agree , bottled at higher strength and non chill filtered , it would become very good . Why not try it , Balvenie ? Why not let it sell itself ?
The Caribbean Cask is a good round whisky but the rum finish is a little hard to pick up on the taste. I have a feeling the rum finish is bringing up some tropical fruit notes on the nose. If you leave your glass covered for a while chocolate notes start to pop up. I think in the end the nose is more interesting than the taste.
Can't wait for u to get to the Pappy Van Winkle you got back there. That's the best Bourbon I ever had. Down Here in Miami, Florida it was $42 for a dram, but it was worth it! Salud ,dinero Y amor!
I think this is a vastly underrated whisky. It's never super expensive; it can be had where I live for as low as $44. It has a superb flavor profile for a modest price.
Depends on the drinker but if they're newer to single malts and want something pretty smooth that isn't too harsh this is a really solid Whiskey. Beautiful taste without too much harshness or too long of a finish which likely will prevent someone new to Whiskey from being scared off.
@aphasia2 Just to forewarn you I'm a novice in the realm of scotch...That said I've just recently sampled the Balvenie 12 year Doublewood, and I really enjoyed it (so much that I just purchased 2 bottles)...Personally I prefer the 12 year Doublewood over the 15 year since the 15 year is a tad too "spicey" for my novice taste buds, and the sherry in the Doublewood adds a touch of sweetness that I immediately grew fond of.
I tell ya what I have the Balvenie Doublewood 12 and its a good whisky. Your review was bang on. The price is just right as well for this one. I am like your Ralfy, i like the long finish which is why i do like the isle such as lephroig but its a good whisky and a good one to start none whisky drinkers on.
I too always wondered how much of a difference there was between casks, and bottlings (from the same cask) with the Balvenie 15 yr Single Barrel?..Malt Master David Stewart openly admits slight variances between each cask...Personally I have found the few bottles that I have had to be very similar...Then again I'm a novice.
This was the one that got me hooked on single malts. (Oh man, I should not use "hooked" in re: alcohol!) Very smooth and easy drinking, but still quite interesting. The Bowmore 15 Darkest is similar, but with more sherry and a tinge of Islay salt/ smoke.
damn this is good stuff! first taste was pretty intense for only 43% but added a little bit of water and let it sit for 15 minutes and it really opens up.
Dear Ralfy, thanks for your excellent reviews. Have you reviewed the Balvenie Triple Cask, 12 year old single malt? I cannot find your review of this whisky. Could you link me to it if you have one. Thank you. I had a bottle gifted to me and I quite like it.
Ralfy its thanks to your reviews that I hear the word like 'weakness in the delivery' and it stop me from shelling out for these Balvenie whiskys, I don't really wanna pay all that money for 'water' which I can get free from my taps.
I've finally opened my bottle and tasted with a friend one hour ago. Amazing. Better than other famous (maybe overrated) speyside products. ...'it goes away', i agree!
@ralfystuff i am interested in this one as well as the 15 year old glenfiddich perhaps slightly more the glenfiddich but still both are quite interesting... and yes it just seems weird to me to add wine flavor to a whisky and i give sherry a raised eyebrow as well but the only way to know for certain is to wait it out for the next 4 years and save a bunch of money for my 21 birthday whisky spree :D
They have changed this a bit, now the container states that it has spent 12 years in the whiskey oak and 9 months in the sherry oak. I think this has helped.
I just got a bottle last week and the 2017 Balvenie 12 doublewood was a huge disappointment. All the great flavors were muted and the alcohol taste is very sharp/harsh. I had a Balvenie 12 back in 2010 and it was very pleasant.
Thanks Ralph’s for your review! I have a bottle of Talisker 12 year that is bottled in a bottle like the Balvenie! Is there any connection here? Thanks again for your time and expertise!!
In regards to the Balvenie Single Cask. I have a few questions. Should I buy a few Bottles from the same Cask or would my $ be better spent on one bottle from different caskings? If your answer is the former rather than the latter, should I try to get like bottles 5-6-7 or more like 5-18-65 meaning would I get more nuance with straight numbered bottles or bottles with some separation. Am I just crazy for thinking this? What do you think. Any advise would be helpful:)
Well...For the sake of research, and advancing my knowledge of fermented malt beverages - I shall continue to explore, and consume a variety of single/blended malts (of course within reason, and not for the sake of getting pissed).
This is a very gentle scotch where it is hard to keep the after-taste for long. The Caribbean 14 Yr Old even more so. I enjoyed the bottle, but it is hard to keep enjoying the aroma and taste as both seem to vanish into the background quickly.
my dad let me try a bit of the 21 year old port wood balvenie to show me what "good" whisky was like.... nothing wrong with it quite smooth but i think the port gave it a flavor i didnt like
@ralfystuff That's a shame. I noticed a tax free shop which I'm going to come across in a not so distant future had the Portwood, unchillfiltered and at 47,6 %, and I was thinking of giving it a go, but maybe not then.
G'day Ralfy: I recently took a tour of The Glenora Distillery near my home in Cape Breton and and posted a video for you. It's just a few qucik clips which I've edited together so you could have a peek at the place. Very beautifal spot up in the highlands. Hope you like it and thanks for all the great review videos!!!!
Inasmuch as most whisky barrel staves are made from oak (redwood and chestnut, too, sometimes), I am wondering if staves made from other species of tree could be useful in aging whisky. Hmmm....Canadian whisky aged in maple stave barrels? Ironwood might be interesting, if it could be successfully worked into staves.
They definitely could be useful! Look up ralfy's video on whisky tips (or something like that) about maturing whisky with wooden sticks, in that whisky review he talks about different types of wood and their influence on whisky and actually shows and reviews the outcome. Definitely worth a look!
Ralfy...please correct me if I'm totally off base with this comparison, but I felt this whiskey was somewhat remeniscient of Glen Fiddich 18...not an expert opinion by any means
Ralfy, I found this scotch a little too sweet for my taste and I was rather dissatisfied with it at first. I found that the double cask maturation method was also in the Aberlour line and I tried them together and compared. I enjoyed the Aberlour much more. Then I realized soemthing, I think that this Scotch is best suited for dessert and after a meal. Any thoughts?
@ralfystuff I too enjoy the 10 year Founders Reserve, and luckily I have been able to find a few bottles to enjoy. Anywho - my novice taste buds found the Balvenie 15 year Single Barrel a tad too "spicey" for my liking (gave it to my mom who's a lover of Scotch Whisky), and so when my supply of 10 year old runs out - I should look to the 12 year Signature as a similar product to the 10 year? Any other similar scotch whisky's out there that you could recommend to this newcomer of Scotch Whisky?
I have just bought a bottle of this malt and find it similar in taste to The Glenlivet French Oak 15yo. The finish is slightly too short for my liking however, but overall I really enjoy this whisky. Ralfy do you have any plans to make a video on recommended Speysiders or if not could you recommend some? Thanks!
Hi Ralfy! I love your vlogs! Mostly I agree with your findings, but his Balvenie I don't like. I found it tasting 'flat' and uninspiring. A waste of my money really. And the funny thing is, you mentioned the Macallan. I found that 12 yo to be flat too. Can't be coincidence...
Holy shit, I just made a huge mistake. I opened the bottle right next to my nose and inhaled in the smell and vapours.. I literally had a mini seizure. Felt like I was hit in the face with a bat. Taking in the vapours of a 12 year aged whiskey is not a good idea, I suppose. For me, never again. Anyways thanks for the great review.
It's a great whisky... But never ever found on offer.... I really like the complexity of this one but question price tag when others of similar quality can often be found on offer at nearly half the price
My brother and I took out the best part of a bottle of this the night before my dad's funeral. I've had a soft spot for it ever since.
My girlfriend's father is a scotch whiskey aficionado and gave me a bottle of this as a gift. Being a 22 year old college student living in Kansas and having very little exposure to fine whiskey, to me this was like heaven in a glass. This was the first whiskey where i was actually able to taste all of the different flavors. Its very smooth and there is no bite. Its honestly the best whiskey ive ever tasted
I've had one of those moments where I realize how seminal Ralfy is, and what a moment in time this is for whisky reviews. He is absolutely the greatest whisky authority online. Completely irreplaceable. Passionate and dedicated to whisky.
. . . bless you, you're very kind 😁
Discovered this gentleman 9 years ago, early in my malt journey. Just rewatching some of his older videos. An absolute legend.
Ralfy! The bottle of Doublewood I bought last week is far inferior to what I remember. I am convinced that it was not actually aged 12 years. I think it is much younger. Please re-review this and hold their feet to the fire! It used to be one of my favorites.
This is my favorite Scotch, hands down. Love the multi-faceted aroma and flavor!
I just bought a bottle of this today in Tasmania, Australia.
I’m looking forward to enjoying a glass or three this evening.
Great review as always Ralfy.
Thanks!
My first single malt and quite a good start!
I just bought a small bottle of this doublewood. I really like the honey and floral notes in the whiskey, but they vanish after they are poured into a glass, let it sit for a while and it reappears. Very smooth taste and more less no smokeyness which i like aswelll in whiskeys
Love coming back to these old one. Like coming home.
This weekend I've been doing this Balvenie vs Glenfarclas 12. I remembered my last bottle of Glenfarclas as having a nice oak nose so that's why I picked these two. Head to head, the oak seems well matched. There's some kind of bitterness in the Glenfarclas that I can't figure out and the Balvenie has a touch of what I perceive as tobacco. I'm leaning towards the Balvenie in this match-up.
Hi Ralfy, have you considered a re-review of this one? I'm quite curious if it has got anywhere since then. I'm so bummed that they still won't bottle the DW at 46 %. Or at least loose the chill-filtration.
I am also interested in a re-review of this. The first time I had it was shortly after Dan's comment was made and it instantly became one of my favorites. I just bought another bottle last week and it tastes different to me. I don't know if it is just my taste that has changed, though.
Yes please!! It's been a while
Ralfy, I’m curious as to why you haven’t re-reviewed this in over a decade.
Same. I am sitting here with a dram of this and was looking for a ralfy review
I'm watching this review as I am finishing my last dram from the bottle. Sweet, light flowery with hints of vanilla scotch. This definately made my buy again list. Very tasty!
I could listen to you talk about whiskey all day.
Love the in-depth stories behind the whiskey, hands down the best youtube channel for this!
I got one for Christmas and have just opened it - nice savoury flavour and more sherried than I expected, plus I like the 'home-made' barley flavours. I was pleasantly surprised.
this is one single malt i will buy over and over again...superb
This scotch is candy. So good and consistent. For the price it doesn't get much better, I've bought 3 bottles so far.
83 is a ridiculous malt Mark for this excellent single malt and, I'm afraid, casts doubt on your judgement. Time for
a re- review!
nahhhhhh, its crap....if u had a couple drams ud be fooled..drink the whole bottle and you're like what the hell is this..wheres the flavour?
I swear to god you've got one of the best shows on You Tube..
"The feminine Macallan." Now there's a marketing strategy Balvenie is sure to NEVER use. Hilarious.
Ralfy I think you should re-review this one. In ~2010 It used to be one of my standard recommendations to people making their first steps with malts. I considered it an excellent value/money choice back then. After some years that I didn't try it I decided to buy a bottle a few months ago and I was in for a big disappointment.
What would you recommend now for people making their first steps into malts?
Hi Ralfy, had a dram of this yesterday and felt that it had added caramel and may have been chill filtered (but not mentioned on the bottle), nice though and widely available, picked mine up from Sainsburys yesterday as a treat to myself
The Caribbean Cask is actually a US only release for the moment (not sure if it's also available in Canada). I for one was worried it might be too sweet but it's surprisingly well balanced.
I recently picked up the 12 year Doublewood and have to say that Ralfy is dead on about the finish just going away after a short period of time. I was also surprised by how hot this whisky was...being pretty rough around the edges. Perhaps I just got a bad bottling, but I think I'll go with the 12 year Single Barrel next time I want a Balvenie.
Really? That's extremely strange a this is perhaps the most mild whiskey i have on my shelve. My tongue doesn't even tickle. A very soft and harmonic malt without any roughness around the edges what so ever. Actually i think that balvenie is a little too mild, should have been bottled at higher strength.
Edit: And with whiskey i actually mean single malt (since we are talking about single malt i thought it was obvious). Cheap Blends are ofc made to be "easy to drink", which means generally very mild and soft and without any taste whatsoever haha.
Hi Ralfy, had the balvenie doublewood last evening with a friend of mine & yes your review pretty much sums up what we felt tasting it as well. I somehow got a feeling that this doublewood is much closer to a Bourbon than a Scottish single malt in character & taste. Not bad but nothing special about it either. Suffice to say, tasted it & its not going to be on my shopping list in future. Am sure there are more intriguing & tasty single malts out there, cheers!
My sentiment exactly! Not bad but not overwhelming, either. BDW12 has no chance to make it onto my personal whisky shopping list.
I just acquired a bottle of the Caribbean cask so I just wanted to see how it stacked up against other scotchs. Thanks for your replay! I really enjoy your videos.
I went to a Balvenie tasting a few weeks back and they had the 12 year old Double Wood, 14 year old Rum Cask, 15 year old Single Barrel, and the 21 year old Port Cask. The 14 year old was the stand out for me. One of the best whisky's I've tried thus far. The single barrel barrel was just too strong and the 21 year old didn't really do it for me. For a $200 USD bottle I felt it to be overpriced for what you got... But definitely try the 14 year old Ralfy. You will definitely enjoy it!
Someone bought me a bottle of this. Haven't tried it yet, but I did notice it's bottled at 43%. Perhaps they took your advice, Ralfy.
I actually pick up hints of toffee in the taste with the Caribbean Cask...I'll try your advice on covering the glass, and I'll try to find the tropical fruit as well...It's been a while since I've had a dram of this whisky (been spending time enjoying the Balvenie 15 yr Single Cask, 17 yr Peated Cask, 17 yr Madiera Cask, and some highland malts these past several months).
This is my favorite single malt I have tried so far. Delicious flavors of sherry, vanilla, chocolate, and rich fruits. Very affordable. Much better than Macallan 12, Glenlivet & Glenfiddich 12, Chivas 12 Johnnie Walker Black label. Even better than the blue label! But for me, Johnnie Walker Gold Label is my alternate favorite.
I've had the balvenie 12 yr old doublewood. Very nice indeed.
Same score as Glen Livet 12. Interesting I would have thought this would be a tad better.
I've tried them both and the Balvene is MUCH better that the Glenlivet 12. Its body is richer, the taste is bolder but doesn't overwhelm and it has a slight hint of vanilla which gives it a great nose. I rate it even slightly better than The Macallan 12...and I'm a BIG Mac 12 fan. The Glenlivet 12 is, in my opinion, a great dram for scotch beginners. After acquiring the taste, one desires a bolder, richer body. Once sampled, the Glenlivet 12 is a bit bland. However, the Glenlivet 18 remains my favorite dram.
I tasted it along with you , Ralfy ........ and thought it was rather good . I think we might agree , bottled at higher strength and non chill filtered , it would become very good . Why not try it , Balvenie ? Why not let it sell itself ?
The Caribbean Cask is a good round whisky but the rum finish is a little hard to pick up on the taste. I have a feeling the rum finish is bringing up some tropical fruit notes on the nose. If you leave your glass covered for a while chocolate notes start to pop up. I think in the end the nose is more interesting than the taste.
Can't wait for u to get to the Pappy Van Winkle you got back there. That's the best Bourbon I ever had. Down Here in Miami, Florida it was $42 for a dram, but it was worth it! Salud ,dinero Y amor!
I think this is a vastly underrated whisky. It's never super expensive; it can be had where I live for as low as $44. It has a superb flavor profile for a modest price.
Depends on the drinker but if they're newer to single malts and want something pretty smooth that isn't too harsh this is a really solid Whiskey. Beautiful taste without too much harshness or too long of a finish which likely will prevent someone new to Whiskey from being scared off.
A hundred Canadian dollars in BC
my favourite whiskey of any ive tasted.pure class.
@FMichael1970
In fact the Caribbean Cask is a US only release (which doesn't happen that often).
Reminds me of Colin Farrell in that drug dealer movie
0:48 Omg! Nice Whisky... It's in the name: Double Wood! I love it
Love this whisky. I keep trying others, and this continues to be my favorite. I try to stay under $75.00 BTW.
@aphasia2 Just to forewarn you I'm a novice in the realm of scotch...That said I've just recently sampled the Balvenie 12 year Doublewood, and I really enjoyed it (so much that I just purchased 2 bottles)...Personally I prefer the 12 year Doublewood over the 15 year since the 15 year is a tad too "spicey" for my novice taste buds, and the sherry in the Doublewood adds a touch of sweetness that I immediately grew fond of.
I tell ya what I have the Balvenie Doublewood 12 and its a good whisky. Your review was bang on. The price is just right as well for this one. I am like your Ralfy, i like the long finish which is why i do like the isle such as lephroig but its a good whisky and a good one to start none whisky drinkers on.
I too always wondered how much of a difference there was between casks, and bottlings (from the same cask) with the Balvenie 15 yr Single Barrel?..Malt Master David Stewart openly admits slight variances between each cask...Personally I have found the few bottles that I have had to be very similar...Then again I'm a novice.
I thought 83% was a wee bit harsh - this is a beautiful whisky. None the less, I love and value your reviews, Ralfy... rock on!
I'm with Dan, I'd love to see a re-review.
Just picked up at bottle today - I didn't get a little booklet :( anyone else bought a bottle recently?
Well since this is an older video maybe Balvenie doesn't do that anymore. Hope you enjoy it...i wasn't impressed.
I bought one today.
Minus booklet!!!
Mine doesn't have a booklet!!! WTF!
Likewise
My 17 yr. Old doublewood didn't have it either!
This was the one that got me hooked on single malts. (Oh man, I should not use "hooked" in re: alcohol!) Very smooth and easy drinking, but still quite interesting.
The Bowmore 15 Darkest is similar, but with more sherry and a tinge of Islay salt/ smoke.
I just bought it, can't wait to taste...In Quebec it is only 58$ CAN
damn this is good stuff! first taste was pretty intense for only 43% but added a little bit of water and let it sit for 15 minutes and it really opens up.
Dear Ralfy, thanks for your excellent reviews. Have you reviewed the Balvenie Triple Cask, 12 year old single malt? I cannot find your review of this whisky. Could you link me to it if you have one. Thank you. I had a bottle gifted to me and I quite like it.
Enjoying this right now via a miniature
Ralfy its thanks to your reviews that I hear the word like 'weakness in the delivery' and it stop me from shelling out for these Balvenie whiskys, I don't really wanna pay all that money for 'water' which I can get free from my taps.
I've finally opened my bottle and tasted with a friend one hour ago.
Amazing.
Better than other famous (maybe overrated) speyside products.
...'it goes away', i agree!
I agree! I'd love a review on this one (14yr old with rum cask) too, please!
@ralfystuff i am interested in this one as well as the 15 year old glenfiddich perhaps slightly more the glenfiddich but still both are quite interesting... and yes it just seems weird to me to add wine flavor to a whisky and i give sherry a raised eyebrow as well but the only way to know for certain is to wait it out for the next 4 years and save a bunch of money for my 21 birthday whisky spree :D
Love your videos and reviews Ralfy...
Is that what the Manx Bothy looked like when it was new ?
They have changed this a bit, now the container states that it has spent 12 years in the whiskey oak and 9 months in the sherry oak. I think this has helped.
I just got a bottle last week and the 2017 Balvenie 12 doublewood was a huge disappointment. All the great flavors were muted and the alcohol taste is very sharp/harsh. I had a Balvenie 12 back in 2010 and it was very pleasant.
LOVE this whisky. I was hoping you'd do a review on this eventually. Thanks.
The US version of Doublewood is 43% ABV. As I've noticed the whisky producers like sending the 3% more alcohol bottles here for some reason.
Thanks Ralph’s for your review!
I have a bottle of Talisker 12 year that is bottled in a bottle like the Balvenie! Is there any connection here? Thanks again for your time and expertise!!
In regards to the Balvenie Single Cask. I have a few questions. Should I buy a few Bottles from the same Cask or would my $ be better spent on one bottle from different caskings? If your answer is the former rather than the latter, should I try to get like bottles 5-6-7 or more like 5-18-65 meaning would I get more nuance with straight numbered bottles or bottles with some separation. Am I just crazy for thinking this? What do you think. Any advise would be helpful:)
Well...For the sake of research, and advancing my knowledge of fermented malt beverages - I shall continue to explore, and consume a variety of single/blended malts (of course within reason, and not for the sake of getting pissed).
This is a very gentle scotch where it is hard to keep the after-taste for long.
The Caribbean 14 Yr Old even more so.
I enjoyed the bottle, but it is hard to keep enjoying the aroma and taste as both seem to vanish into the background quickly.
Remark of the decade - Feminine Macallan....!!!!!!!
Tell it like it is... Good review.
my dad let me try a bit of the 21 year old port wood balvenie to show me what "good" whisky was like.... nothing wrong with it quite smooth but i think the port gave it a flavor i didnt like
Thank Ralfy! How about a review on the 17yr old doublewood?
Off topic. This Wiskey and this music .Enjoy your holidays Silje Nergaard - Norwegian Boatsong
Very Good whisky,I was first made aware of balvenie from the movie...the day after tomorrow believe it or not.
@ralfystuff That's a shame. I noticed a tax free shop which I'm going to come across in a not so distant future had the Portwood, unchillfiltered and at 47,6 %, and I was thinking of giving it a go, but maybe not then.
I think you really should revisit this review Ralfy.
G'day Ralfy:
I recently took a tour of The Glenora Distillery near my home in Cape Breton and and posted a video for you. It's just a few qucik clips which I've edited together so you could have a peek at the place. Very beautifal spot up in the highlands. Hope you like it and thanks for all the great review videos!!!!
Good info about casks
Inasmuch as most whisky barrel staves are made from oak (redwood and chestnut, too, sometimes), I am wondering if staves made from other species of tree could be useful in aging whisky. Hmmm....Canadian whisky aged in maple stave barrels? Ironwood might be interesting, if it could be successfully worked into staves.
They definitely could be useful! Look up ralfy's video on whisky tips (or something like that) about maturing whisky with wooden sticks, in that whisky review he talks about different types of wood and their influence on whisky and actually shows and reviews the outcome. Definitely worth a look!
I looked it up for you, it's whisky review 386, enjoy!
Ralfy, I want a review of the Portwood 21!
Thanks for the tip...pour two glasses and then compare..:)
Ralfy...please correct me if I'm totally off base with this comparison, but I felt this whiskey was somewhat remeniscient of Glen Fiddich 18...not an expert opinion by any means
Ralfy,
I found this scotch a little too sweet for my taste and I was rather dissatisfied with it at first. I found that the double cask maturation method was also in the Aberlour line and I tried them together and compared. I enjoyed the Aberlour much more. Then I realized soemthing, I think that this Scotch is best suited for dessert and after a meal. Any thoughts?
excellent review
@ralfystuff I too enjoy the 10 year Founders Reserve, and luckily I have been able to find a few bottles to enjoy. Anywho - my novice taste buds found the Balvenie 15 year Single Barrel a tad too "spicey" for my liking (gave it to my mom who's a lover of Scotch Whisky), and so when my supply of 10 year old runs out - I should look to the 12 year Signature as a similar product to the 10 year? Any other similar scotch whisky's out there that you could recommend to this newcomer of Scotch Whisky?
This is my favorite scotch.
Any chance of a re review of this one?
I have just bought a bottle of this malt and find it similar in taste to The Glenlivet French Oak 15yo. The finish is slightly too short for my liking however, but overall I really enjoy this whisky. Ralfy do you have any plans to make a video on recommended Speysiders or if not could you recommend some? Thanks!
Hi Ralfy! I love your vlogs! Mostly I agree with your findings, but his Balvenie I don't like. I found it tasting 'flat' and uninspiring. A waste of my money really. And the funny thing is, you mentioned the Macallan. I found that 12 yo to be flat too. Can't be coincidence...
Great Review thanks for the Info
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Balvenie 12 year triple cask. Have you reviewed it?
Ralfy.. why do you recommend covering the glass while letting it sit? This is one of my favourite affordable bottles in Canada
I've never understood covering a whisky after pouring it. Isn't the idea, like decanting wine, exposing the liquid to air?
I prefer you in the Bothie, mate. More colourful !
Holy shit, I just made a huge mistake. I opened the bottle right next to my nose and inhaled in the smell and vapours.. I literally had a mini seizure. Felt like I was hit in the face with a bat. Taking in the vapours of a 12 year aged whiskey is not a good idea, I suppose. For me, never again. Anyways thanks for the great review.
OMG, don't ever try sniffing Scotch with a dollar bill, I just snorted some and it burns!
It can't be worse than overeating wasabi.
I assure you, it's delicious!
So far I've tasted this and the Mac 12. Wondering what to try next - maybe the Yamasaki?
Oh yeah I wish I could find more of it!
It's a great whisky... But never ever found on offer.... I really like the complexity of this one but question price tag when others of similar quality can often be found on offer at nearly half the price
yea it's great for the price, uplifting
Hi Ralfy, are there any Balvenies that are worth looking out for? You seem to give the impression that this one and the Signature are disappointments.