Each sip of The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 contains the craftsmen’s love, passion, and dedication behind the art of whisky making, resulting in a rich honeyed flavor that comes from maturing the single malt in two kinds of wood.
This piece originally appeared in print for Lifestyle Asia’s LA Crave 2024 book.
The Balvenie is a brand that takes pride in the craftsmanship of its makers. Countless hours are spent creating a bottle—ambition and commitment are the core values of those who handle the process. The craftsmen’s ability to facilitate and create The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is the ultimate craftsmanship. Every craftsman at the distillery invested years of talent, hard work, and drive to make The Balvenie DoubleWood 12.
Five Rare Crafts
From malting to bottling, each bottle is made with devotion and skill. The Balvenie distillery is one of the few distilleries that to this day stays true to the five rare crafts of whisky making. The only distillery in the Scottish Highlands that still grows and malts a proportion of its own barley
The distinct character of the 12 Year Old single malt Scotch should be credited to the process of maturing the single malt in a traditional whisky oak cask and then transferred to a European Oak Sherry Cask. Each kind of wood serves a specific purpose in the whisky’s flavor profile—the traditional casks are for softening and adding character while the sherry wood adds depth to the flavor.
A perfect pairing
The intricate and delicate process of making The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 elevates the experience of its customers. The subtle sweetness of the whisky complements a dish, like the smoked salmon—the subtle sweetness of the whisky complements the luscious, rich flesh of the salmon.
After a day of keeping up with the rapid pace of modern living, a glass of The Balvenie Double Wood 12 is a well-deserved treat. The whisky is finished in European Oak Sherry casks, which add fruity and honeyed depths, after first maturing in typical whisky oak casks, which soften the maturing spirit and create the warm vanilla spice flavor notes. A mere sip is already a rewarding experience. Indulging in a glass of whisky by the exceptional malt master, David C. Stewart, is a prize in its own right.
Rich History
Founded in 1892, William Grant decided to build The Balvenie Distillery in the abandoned Balvenie New House, and started production on the 1st of May 1893, surrounded by abundant water springs, ideal climate, and fertile soil for barley growth.
Among single malts, The Balvenie is unlike any other. They are the only distillery in Scotland that still produces its barley, uses traditional floor maltings, and maintains both a coppersmith and a cooper crew on site. The whisky-making process is committed to upholding the Five Rare Crafts. Kelsey McKechnie, the brand’s malt master, noses samples for a balance of notes and consistent character, mastering the complex skills required to create the finest single malt whisky.
Visit https://www.thebalvenie.com for more information / Follow their Instagram account @TheBalvenie.
Photo courtesy of The Balvenie.
