Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Dark toast with marmelade
3 385
RReview by @RikS
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall85
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This one has been sitting for a while, which has done it good. Whilst 43%, the nose is quite strong but calms with some 20min resting. All the classic sherry elements are there, but there is also a bit of red fruit in the background which adds an element of freshness. Some more tropical elements, over ripe mango and some spotted banana. None of the elements is dominant or overbearing, it is much more 'together' than the 12yrs old.
The attack is mellow and kind, and the initial touch on the palate is slightly efervescent. The dark toast and marmelade is coming through very strongly - sweet, but not disturbingly so and none of the sugary- syrupy feeling of the 12. Some more fruit... more banana than yellow fruit, yet with a tiny zesty feeling in the background.
The finish is quite nice, a dry roast coffee beans or bitter chocolate that balances nicely against the sweetness. As in my previous observations I'm however surprised - and a little disappointed - how short the finish is.
In conclusion, its definitely one of the better 'sherry' ones I've had - definitely more to my liking than the DW12 and the Glendronach12 (maybe not surprisingly so). Having let it sit for a while since opened has been a good move. I had it rated 85, but I might be inclined to push that North by a notch or two.
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@RikS, thank you for your review.
I've tasted about 300 ml of Balvenie 17 Doublewood from three different bottles and am very impressed by it. For me this is easily a 90-92 point whisky.