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.
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'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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 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).
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 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.
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!!
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
I really enjoy your reviews. A few days ago I had a glass of Balvenie 10yo in a bar, and i really liked it. Unfortunately it seems like they dont sell the 10yo anymore. Would you recommend the doublewood or the signature instead ? which one is closer ?
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.
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:)
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!
Ralfy thanks for all the reviews, they are all very precise and helpful. After trying this balvenie I wanted to go to the next level and try the 17yo double wood. Have you had it?
@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 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.
@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 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 want to buy new bottle and it will be Tomatin 12 or Balvenie 12 DoubleWood but in Poland both are in the same price (and I am on budget ;), please for you advice Ralfy, which is best option :)
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.
Hi Ralfy. I truly love your reviews. To be honest most of what I know about Single Malts I've learned from you. I recently tried this Doublewood and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable. Do you have any suggestions for similar yet "different" Malts? Other Speysides perhaps? Thanks again.
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
Hi Ralfy, the eclectic malt savant ;-) do you have the chance to taste the balvenie golden cask ? any insight ? thanks and my malt sessions won't be the same without your blogs ! cheers.
@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
Hi. I have this whisky for more than 1 year but i haven’t opened it. To be exact, i don’t know how to take out the bottle at the first place. How did you take out the bottle from the packaging?
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.
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.
Ah, I have not eaten enough toffee in my life to recognize that note (and Balvenie even put that tasting note on the carton). Guess I need to buy a pack of good toffee to learn the flavor.
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.
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?
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 ?
@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 have a friend who's looking to get into scotch. I'm a Islay fan and don't want to scare him off with my heavy peaty/smokey scotches but don't know other scotches as well. Would you recommend Balvenie to a newcomer?
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.
Love the in-depth stories behind the whiskey, hands down the best youtube channel for this!
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'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 coming back to these old one. Like coming home.
Love your videos and reviews Ralfy...
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 my favorite Scotch, hands down. Love the multi-faceted aroma and flavor!
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.
LOVE this whisky. I was hoping you'd do a review on this eventually. Thanks.
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 swear to god you've got one of the best shows on You Tube..
My first single malt and quite a good start!
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!
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.
I've had the balvenie 12 yr old doublewood. Very nice indeed.
"The feminine Macallan." Now there's a marketing strategy Balvenie is sure to NEVER use. Hilarious.
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 thought 83% was a wee bit harsh - this is a beautiful whisky. None the less, I love and value your reviews, Ralfy... rock on!
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.
my favourite whiskey of any ive tasted.pure class.
I agree! I'd love a review on this one (14yr old with rum cask) too, please!
Great Review thanks for the Info
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!
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.
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 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).
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 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.
excellent review
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!!
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Balvenie 12 year triple cask. Have you reviewed it?
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
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
0:48 Omg! Nice Whisky... It's in the name: Double Wood! I love it
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.
Thank Ralfy! How about a review on the 17yr old doublewood?
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.
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
@ralfystuff
From your reply I get the impression that you feel the quality of some of the whisky's at Balvenie has started to slide?
good review keep up the work
Ralfy.. why do you recommend covering the glass while letting it sit? This is one of my favourite affordable bottles in Canada
I really enjoy your reviews. A few days ago I had a glass of Balvenie 10yo in a bar, and i really liked it. Unfortunately it seems like they dont sell the 10yo anymore. Would you recommend the doublewood or the signature instead ? which one is closer ?
Good vid Ralfy! What do you think about the Macallan Fine Oak range? Have you tried one?
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.
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:)
I just bought it, can't wait to taste...In Quebec it is only 58$ CAN
Love this whisky. I keep trying others, and this continues to be my favorite. I try to stay under $75.00 BTW.
Ralfy - any chance of you doing a review on the recently released Balvenie 14 yr Caribbean Cask?
Any chance of a re review of this one?
Good info about casks
@FMichael1970
In fact the Caribbean Cask is a US only release (which doesn't happen that often).
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!
Tell it like it is... Good review.
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?
Very Good whisky,I was first made aware of balvenie from the movie...the day after tomorrow believe it or not.
Ralfy thanks for all the reviews, they are all very precise and helpful. After trying this balvenie I wanted to go to the next level and try the 17yo double wood. Have you had it?
Is that what the Manx Bothy looked like when it was new ?
Any plans to review the balvenie 14 y.o. caribbean cask?
@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?
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 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.
@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 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 want to buy new bottle and it will be Tomatin 12 or Balvenie 12 DoubleWood but in Poland both are in the same price (and I am on budget ;), please for you advice Ralfy, which is best option :)
This is my favorite scotch.
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
Hi Ralfy. I truly love your reviews. To be honest most of what I know about Single Malts I've learned from you. I recently tried this Doublewood and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable. Do you have any suggestions for similar yet "different" Malts? Other Speysides perhaps? Thanks again.
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?
Ralfy, I want a review of the Portwood 21!
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
Hi Ralfy, the eclectic malt savant ;-) do you have the chance to taste the balvenie golden cask ? any insight ? thanks and my malt sessions won't be the same without your blogs ! cheers.
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!!!
@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
Hi. I have this whisky for more than 1 year but i haven’t opened it. To be exact, i don’t know how to take out the bottle at the first place. How did you take out the bottle from the packaging?
Ummm..
What would be a reasonable bid?
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.
I really need to get myself a dram
Thanks for the tip...pour two glasses and then compare..:)
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 think you really should revisit this review Ralfy.
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.
Ralfy I'm wanting to move from blended scotch to single malt. what's a good single malt to start with?
Glenfiddich 12yo then Highland Park 12yo.
Thank you sir I'll do that.
Mine doesn't have a booklet!!! WTF!
Likewise
My 17 yr. Old doublewood didn't have it either!
Ah, I have not eaten enough toffee in my life to recognize that note (and Balvenie even put that tasting note on the carton). Guess I need to buy a pack of good toffee to learn the flavor.
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.
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?
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 ?
I've never understood covering a whisky after pouring it. Isn't the idea, like decanting wine, exposing the liquid to air?
Serious question... 12yr Doublewood or 14yr Carribean Cask..?
Cariibean is a little sweeter an very good
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!
@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.
yea it's great for the price, uplifting
I have a friend who's looking to get into scotch. I'm a Islay fan and don't want to scare him off with my heavy peaty/smokey scotches but don't know other scotches as well. Would you recommend Balvenie to a newcomer?
Highly recommend this one.
+James Murphy Doublewood is great. You can also try Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban.