8 Whiskies similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 year old

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is a popular Scotch whisky known for its unique aging process.

What makes The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old unique?

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is unique in that it undergoes a two-stage aging process, which gives it a distinct and complex flavor profile.

The aging process begins with the whisky being aged in American oak barrels for a period of 12 years. The benefit of aging the whisky in these barrels is that it gives it a smooth and vanilla flavor, which forms the foundation of the final product.

After the initial aging in American oak barrels, the whisky is then transferred to European oak sherry casks for a period of several months.

This secondary maturation process is known as "finishing" and it imparts additional layers of flavor and complexity to the whisky. The sherry casks used in this process have previously held sherry, a fortified wine, which imparts a rich and fruity flavor to the whisky, as well as a hint of spice.

The combination of the two aging processes, American oak and European oak sherry casks, creates a well-balanced and complex flavor profile that sets The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old apart from other whiskies. You get the smooth vanilla flavors from the American oak barrels which are complemented by the rich and fruity notes imparted by the sherry cask aging.

This combination of flavors creates a very distinct and unique flavour that is highly sought after by whisky enthusiasts.

8 Whiskies similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old

1. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old: This whisky is also aged in American oak barrels before being finished in Oloroso sherry casks.

   Flavour profile: Smooth, rich flavor profile that is similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.

2. Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak: This whisky is aged entirely in sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain, imparting a rich, fruity flavor that is reminiscent of The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.

3. Auchentoshan 12 Year Old: This Lowland whisky is triple distilled and aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. The sherry cask aging imparts a similar rich, fruity flavor to the Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old.

4. Dalmore 12 Year Old: This Highland whisky is aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in sherry casks. The sherry cask aging imparts a similar rich, fruity flavor to the Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old.

5. Glenlivet 12 Year Old: This Speyside whisky is aged in a combination of American oak and first-fill sherry casks, resulting in a rich, smooth flavor profile that is similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.

6. Aberlour 12 Year Old: This Speyside whisky is aged in a combination of American oak and sherry casks, imparting a rich, fruity flavor that is similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.

7. Tomatin 12 Year Old: This Highland whisky is aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, imparting a rich, fruity flavor that is similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.

8. Oban 14 Year Old: This Highland whisky is aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, imparting a rich, fruity flavor that is similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old. It has a slightly longer aging time than the others, but it has a similar profile.

These whiskies are similar to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old in that they all have rich, fruity flavor profiles with a smooth, well-balanced finish. They are also all aged in a combination of American oak and sherry casks, which imparts a unique character to each of them.

As you explore these whiskies, you may find that you prefer one over another, as each distillery has its own unique process for aging and blending their whiskies. However, all of them are excellent choices for those who enjoy the flavor profile of The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old.