Balvenie The Sweet Toast of American Oak 12 Year

Plenty of vanilla. Lower proof

Nez : Subtile, fruité Bouche : citron

The Week of the Peat 14 Year was solid. Now I'm moving on to the 12 Year installment. The Sweet Toast of American Oak, a bourbon and virgin oak-aged whisky. Spoiler alert: I will not be completing the trio; that 26 year-old Dark Barley Balvenie will likely be all gone by the time I'm ready to buy it. And I'm okay with that. On to the review. Nose: Apple, pear, apricot, and orange. Toffee, vanilla, malt, and honey. Almond and walnut. Caramel, shortbread cookie, butterscotch. Cinnamon and a whopping oak note. Lavender and other floral scents. Nice start. Palate: Apple, orange, pear, apricot, golden raisin, and peach. Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, and malt. Almond and walnut. Milk chocolate and shortbread cookie. Plenty more oak. Finish: Apple, pear, apricot, and golden raisin. Mocha. Toasted almond. Caramel and vanilla. Cinnamon, baking spices, and oak. A bit boozy, but still good. Moderate length. 4.25. Factoring in VFM, it's the same score I awarded the Week of the Peat. It's very good. Though $65 is a bit expensive for a 12-year old, I think it was worth the purchase. Oak is the name of the game. This is a very appropriately-named whisky. I think that if you like the 12-year Single Barrel, you will also like this one. Not sure if this was a one-off; my bottle says Story No. 1. If there are more batches to come, I'd give them a go. Otherwise, this is worth a buy while it's still around.

Very good

Nose - Vanilla, jammy Palate - Big oak, ginger spice Finish - Long, spicy, damp wood