Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

Balvenie’s 12 Year old Doublewood expression has come to epitomise the classic, easy-drinking style that triggers an element of nostalgia toward early drinking careers. So, no surprise when they chose this extra-matured variant of this benchmark whisky to coincide with Malt Master David Stewart's 50 years of service, with distiller owners William Grant & Sons Ltd. Fortunately, there's not a bad review in sight!

Tasting note: Bright burnished gold. Lovely honeycombe and fruit mince pie in the initial 10-20 seconds, toned down after brief air contact as light ginger bread and vanilla take centre stage. The cocoa and dried fruit accent in the third inspection rounds off a complex bouquet. Typical Balvenie mouthfeel - wonderfully soft delivery - only this ups the ante on the standard distillery releases with the Sherry cask adding extra depth. Spicy dried fruits and vanilla taper off with a gently bittersweet dark chocolate flourish. Delicious! 43% Alc./Vol.

Other Reviews....The whisky in question spent 17 years maturing in ex-Bourbon casks before a final few months of European Sherry cask maturation, and the outcome is a quintessential Balvenie, slightly silkier and more profound than its younger sibling. Honey, malt, vanilla, unripe bananas and green apples on the nose. Smooth and well-mannered. The palate majors in fresh fruits, vanilla, creamy spices and cloves. The finish is medium to long, with more honey and vanilla, plus aniseed and warming oak. - Gavin D Smith, Tom Cannavan www.whisky-pages.com