Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year

Final drink. I'm looking for something not too demanding, but not completely ordinary. The choices are limited here. Browsing, browsing… Crown Royal… Nope. Gentleman Jack. Ha. No. There are precisely 4 single malt Scotches. Laphroaig 10. Too intense. Glenfiddich 12. Not quite enough. Clynelish 14. I do appreciate it, but naturally, I have an open bottle at home. The safe choice is Balvenie 12. If the selection were superior, it wouldn't even register because I can't stop being a pretentious snob. Wow, I'm thrilled fate intervened. I think this is the finest aroma I've encountered in years. I saw a YouTube whiskey review where the presenter nosed with their mouth open. They resembled a mouth-breathing Neanderthal. But damn, that advice transformed my experience. Overwhelmed by successive waves of sherry, with red grapes, honey, and a touch of rich earth and damp maple leaves. I inhaled it for 10 minutes. I didn't want to shatter the illusion. A small taste brought plums and the part of the apple near the core, along with a slight sharpness, perhaps only because I slightly burned my tongue on my afternoon tea. The finish offered a pleasantly bitter hint of raw almonds that vanished too quickly.

Color: Light-medium copper Nose: Honey, oak Palate: Honey, mild chest hug, spicy, slight bitterness — but I get that from pretty much every Scotch I've ever had. Not necessarily a bad thing... like slightly bitter fruit of some sort. I despise peat, and this one is not peaty at all. So, points for that. When I was a kid, Pine Bros. Honey cough drops were one of the brands we had for coughs. Scotch tastes like those to me. Finish: I'll call this "medium" with some fruitiness and that general "Scotch" aftertaste. Not sure exactly what that is. Final Thoughts: I'm a Bourbon drinker, first and foremost. But I like to mix things up a bit from time to time. Whereas all — or most — Bourbons are unique taste experiences, all Scotch tastes the same to me. The others I've had were The Macallan 12, and a Glenfiddich 15. This totally reminds me of those two. I will enjoy finishing this bottle. But once it's gone, I'll be heading back to my "old Kentucky home"! LOL.

Total Score: 3.0. Nose: Almost no perceptible alcohol. Vanilla, honey. Towards the end, a rich, creamy sensation like condensed milk, followed by a hint of caramel. Palate: Barely any spice. Smooth, gentle, fruity. Finish: Very smooth. The nose's aroma lingers. A soft, savory grain note distinct from oak. [Korean translation included in original].

I believe this is the fourth occasion I've sampled this dram, and it's superior to my recollection. For context, I'm following a less-than-satisfactory Canadian whisky. With that noted, the aroma is quite appealing with notes of raisins, toffee, lemon, and grass. There's also a brown sugar note from the bourbon casks. It's making my mouth water, so let's proceed. The palate is smooth and rich. The toffee and raisins are present, along with a grapefruit note. It remains fairly consistent from there. The finish is of moderate length with subtle notes of grass and honey. Overall, a decent experience. It's quite pleasant and highly recommended for those new to this category.

Bought an old bottle from a friend (unopened). Not sure if it is 100% OK anymore. I understand why this is recommended for newbies. Very easy-going, but not much depth. Fruits on the nose as well as in the taste. The nose is almost like your grandmother's old living room with a bit of a stale finish. Nothing really lingers in your mouth. I could see myself having this for a weekend out with friends, but at this price point, there are better options. I might still get a newer bottle of this, just to ensure this one was still in good condition.

A slight letdown, but in a specific way. It's a pleasant whisky, smooth and full-bodied, with character, but it feels oversimplified for its price and the distillery's reputation. Nose: Anise and herbs alongside familiar vanilla and spices. Palate: A bit harsh with a noticeable spirituous tone that attempted to be masked but failed. Overall: Acceptable but somewhat underwhelming given expectations.