The Balvenie 12 Year

The Balvenie 12 Year Old is a quintessential Speyside single malt, known for its rich, honeyed character and artisanal craftsmanship. Aged in a combination of refill ex-bourbon casks and European oak Oloroso sherry butts, this Scotch is renowned for its well-rounded profile, with notes of vanilla, honey, and a subtle hint of spice.

TL;DR it’s a quintessential expression that embodies the true craftmanship of Scotch in the Speyside region.

Review: Flavor Camp Photo: Reece Sims

Flavor Camps

Overall Rating

Total Score: 37.5/50

Aroma: 7.5/9
Taste: 7/9
Finish: 4/5
Distinctiveness: 3/5
Overall Drinkability/Balance: 7/9
Value for Price: 5.5/8
Appearance: 3.5/5

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Golden straw - the bottle is modern but still with a classic feel.
Aroma: A delightful waft of honeyed sweetness greets you, mingling with hints of vanilla and a subtle touch of oak. It’s like a warm hug from your favourite bakery, with a playful note of dried fruit that adds a touch of mischief.
Taste & Mouthfeel: On the palate, Balvenie 12 Year reveals a smooth, creamy texture with flavours of caramel, toasted nuts, and a dash of spice. It’s a well-rounded treat, like indulging in a perfectly balanced dessert—sweet but with just enough complexity to keep things interesting.
Finish: The finish is pleasantly lingering, with a touch of spice and a hint of oak that plays nicely with the sweetness. It’s like saying goodbye to a good friend who leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Distinctiveness: For those who have had The Balvenie, it has a distinctive profile, however, this particular expression is designed to be well-rounded and 'crushable'.
Overall Drinkability & Balance: it’s a quintessential expression that embodies the warmth and depth of the Speyside region.

Product Details

Distiller: The Balvenie Distillery
Type: Single Malt
Age: 12 Years Old
Still Type: Copper Pot Stills
Cask Type(s): American oak ex-Bourbon barrels then European Oak Sherry casks then whisky is transferred to large tuns for 3-4 months to marry

Comments / Notes:

The Balvenie focuses on the “Five Great Crafts” on site at their distillery to allow them to have more control over every aspect of the whisky making process. The five crafts include:
(1) Farmers: Barley grown on their farm on site and malted on site (they do need to source some additional malt from Scotland as their production outweighs how much is grown)
(2) Malt Men: Barley is malted on site and managed by hand, ensuring it’s done with precision.
(3) Coopers: Work on site breathe new life into the casks by repairing and rebuilding casks
(4) Coppersmiths: Help to repair and manage the copper pot stills on site
(5) Malt Master: Kelsey McKechnie, who worked for almost a decade with David C. Stewart has recently taken over as the Malt Master. Stewart spent 60 years working in whisky.

Food Pairing Recommendations: Brown Butter Toffee Cookie, Blue Cheese File Mignon

Cocktail Recommendations: Bobby Burns or Unicorn Tail. The Balvenie does like to pair with tea in cocktails as they both require precision and craftsmanship.