Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year

This is effectively the true older sibling of the flagship 12-year. Or it was at least. They discontinued this—and the 15 sherry SB, in favor of a 16-year in between compromise. The discontinuation of this expression motivated the purchase. Let’s see if this was worth a try before it was too late. Nose: Gala apple, pear, apricot, and orange citrus. Malt, vanilla, caramel, toffee, butterscotch, and honey. Fairly standard Speyside affair. Some peanut brittle, toasted almond, and walnut. Sugar cookie. Milk chocolate and marshmallow. Praline pecan. Rich refined oak. No spice, it’s more like a mahogany desk. Palate: More of the gala apple, pear, apricot, and orange citrus. Golden raisin. Malt, toffee, vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, honey, and butterscotch. Brown sugar. A touch floral and then it’s powerful oak. Again, mahogany, but this time with a touch of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Finish: Gala apple, pear, apricot, golden raisin, and orange citrus. Honey, vanilla, toffee, malt, milk chocolate, butterscotch. Plenty of oak, with some cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Moderate length. This is one of the “cleanest” whiskies I’ve ever had. It isn’t the most exciting, but it is an absolutely beautiful representation of Speyside Scotch. You could say this one “sticks to the script.” Maybe this could’ve earned a higher score if it did just a tad more to set itself apart. But it’s a phenomenal offering as is. It’s a shame to see it go, but I’m very glad I made the purchase before it was all gone. 4.25/5.

Nose of burnt vanilla and dried raisins. Taste brings in some wild apple and toasted oak with the sherry flavor at the end. Medium long aftertaste getting lighter and sweeter. Not super deep but a smooth and flavorful dram.

Sweet cherry, nuts, vanilla. Lasting taste