In the creation of The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old single malt whisky, the esteemed Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, revisited one of his most lauded accomplishments—a process known as 'cask finishing,' where the whisky undergoes consecutive maturation in two distinct types of casks.
This very technique lies at the core of The Balvenie DoubleWood's character. It begins its maturation journey in American oak barrels, which infuse the spirit with gentle, sweet vanilla notes. Subsequently, the whisky is transferred to European oak sherry casks, where the second phase of aging imparts rich, spicy flavors, along with a profound depth and fullness of character.
The DoubleWood 17 Year Old stands as the elder sibling to the DoubleWood 12 Year Old sharing its signature honeyed, spicy attributes. However, it possesses a distinctive identity, marked by deeper vanilla tones, subtle hints of green apple, velvety toffee, and an astonishing richness and complexity that set it apart.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:
Nose: Elegant and complex oak, vanilla, honeyed sweetness and a hint of green apple.
Palate: Sweet with dried fruits, sherbet spice, toasted almonds and cinnamon, layered with a richness of creamy toffee notes and traces of oak and deep vanilla.
Finish: Vanilla oak, honey and spicy sweetness.