Balvenie The Sweet Toast Of American Oak 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: This has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

Intense vanilla, honey and brown sugar notes from deep-toasted virgin oak promise a sweeter, spicier profile than Balvenie's classic DoubleWood. Thie expression is named for the virgin oak barrels sourced from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky used to finish the whisky. The barrels are pre-toasted in Kentucky and then travel to Dufftown where they receive another deep toast at Balvenie's Cooperage. They are filled with single malt which matured in ex-bourbon barrels for 12 years and remain there for a few months before bottling. The whisky was the idea of Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. This is one of three Stories single malts released by The Balvenie in May 2019.

Other reviews... Matured primarily in bourbon barrels for 12 years before a 3-month finish in slow-toasted virgin American oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky. Honey, vanilla, cloves, dried fruit, and lively oak on the nose. The palate features citrus fruit and more cloves, with milk chocolate, honey, walnuts, and lots of wood spice. Raisins and black tea in the medium-length finish. (30,000 bottles) 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...I suspect I would’ve liked this Balvenie better without the finish in these deeply toasted virgin oak barrels. To me this shows why you have to be very careful with virgin oak. It has so much influence in so little time. The oak is overpowering. In a way the Sweet Toast of American Oak has much in common with young (and I mean a maximum of 5 year old) virgin oak matured whiskies. That can’t have been the goal. - wordsofwhisky.com

"As one would expect from the name, sweet notes of vanilla abound in this Scotch. They don't obscure the grain, however, which comes through a pleasantly bready character along with hints of brown butter, almond, and a bit of salt on the finish. It's an enjoyable dram, skillfully marrying Scottish single malt with American oak." - distiller.com