Commodore Pipes
28th August 10, 10:33 PM
So I had a bottle of Balvenie Doublewood 12 year Scotch, and I thought I'd try it. The boy was asleep, dinner was over, and the chores were done - and I haven't yet replaced the Laphraoig. So I popped two ice cubes in a tumbler, two fingers of Balvenie, and a splash of water.
From the first sniff, I thought it was a bourbon. Not a trace of peat. Granted, the last scotch I had was the famous and revered Laphraoig, but the Balvenie didn't smell at all like I remember, say, Glenfiddich smelled.
The second sniff had a hint of the scottish burr, and some of those fruity notes I expected from the sherry cask.
The first sip was a little more scotchy, but the finish was nice and nutty, which is what I associate with bourbon. The fruit (and the florals? I've never tasted a flower, so I'm not sure what that even means) grew stronger as the ice melted and drink opened up a little more. The last sip was very fruity, with no hint of the nutty aftertaste that I could detect.
So it was nice. I wouldn't hesitate to serve it to a guest, but it lacks the memorable dynamic and addicting presence of the legendary Laphraoig.
From the first sniff, I thought it was a bourbon. Not a trace of peat. Granted, the last scotch I had was the famous and revered Laphraoig, but the Balvenie didn't smell at all like I remember, say, Glenfiddich smelled.
The second sniff had a hint of the scottish burr, and some of those fruity notes I expected from the sherry cask.
The first sip was a little more scotchy, but the finish was nice and nutty, which is what I associate with bourbon. The fruit (and the florals? I've never tasted a flower, so I'm not sure what that even means) grew stronger as the ice melted and drink opened up a little more. The last sip was very fruity, with no hint of the nutty aftertaste that I could detect.
So it was nice. I wouldn't hesitate to serve it to a guest, but it lacks the memorable dynamic and addicting presence of the legendary Laphraoig.