Yesterday Marion and I have been shopping. While I was gathering all kind of things for dinner tonight, Marion visited a liquor store to buy a nice wine for that dinner (she has much more knowledge about wine then I have). But she returned not only with a very nice wine, but also with a bottle Single Malt Whisky… a Balvenie 12 years old!
Her attention for this bottle of Single Malt was taken by de name on it. This Whisky finds it origin in Dufftown, the town in Scotland that Marion and just very recently visited. And even more, it caries the name of the castle (or what is left of that) that Marion and I visited during our stay. A friend already told about the Balvenie Distillery after he heard we visited Dufftown. And already by now I can taste this Single Malt. Thank you so much Marion…
I am not an expert on tasting and reviewing Single Malt Whiskeys. I am doing just my own thing on my own way… and yes, there is still a lot to learn for me (and that is the fun part for me).
As already pointed out, the Balvenie distillery is located in Duffstown, the Speyside area. The distillery was founded in 1889 by William Grant. For that he bought in the 18th century the Balvenie New House estate. It took more then a year to rebuilt the estate to a distillery.
It is said that William Grant was until his death on a age of 83 involved with the distillery.
Balvenie grows its own barley from the family farm for traditional floor maltings, and still uses coopers to tend the casks and a coppersmith to tend the stills.
The Balvenie Single Malt I have tasted here is the Double Wood, 12 years.
Double wood means that it has been matured in two woods. Over the time of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to an European Oak Sherry Task. The traditional oak casks soften and add character to the Single Malt, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.
I have to admit that I really like this Single Malt. It is soft and smooth, so no need to add any water to this one. The nose is sweet. Honey with a touch of vanilla.
The taste and flavour is all full of honey, maybe even a bit nutty. A soft touch of peat. A great taste in my opinion.
The after-taste is long, cinnamon flavours and soothing. Very enjoyable.
This Single Malt will be more often a guest in my house. And I am looking forward to taste the other Single Malts of this distillery…