The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Yo
Dufftown’s big bully, Balvenie is increasingly becoming a favourite with single malt-loving Indians. A product of the Banffshire distillery, the Balvenie Doublewood 12 Yo impresses even before you take the first sip. My bar counter will never be without a Balvenie if I can help it. The cylindrical cask, the golden yellow texture of the malt and the whiff of honey on the nose -- makes sure you gravitate towards this single malt, even in the company of others. This is a complex yet rich whisky, with a smooth taste. What makes the Balvenie 12Yo special? It is matured in two different types of oak casks – the American whisky oak which mellows the maturing spirit and imparts a gentle warming layer of vanilla spiciness and the European sherry oak cask, where it undergoes a few more months of maturation to bring out the fruity and honeyed depths. For us however, what the clincher is the powerful fruity aroma and the smoothness of this drink. Add a dash of water, pair it with unsalted nuts or even a sweet brownie. Best enjoyed on solitary or romantic evenings.