I've been very curious about Balvenie, since two or three folks here have trashed it, but the illustrious Michael Jackson (what a name!) gives the "Doublewood" 12 yo (for example) an 87. (Compared to, say Oban 14 which gets 79 or Bruichladdich 15 yo at 80, or Bowmore Dawn at 83).
So I broke down and got a bottle of the doublewood at TJ's for $32. Well, as one would expect, it is a lot like the Glenmorangie special finish jobs. It is very nice, but I have to agree with y'all that it is not quite as nice as the G'morangies. There is a little less nuttiness and spice and rather more orangieness (as Jackson says).
IN case any of you have some lying around, I found that it improves with water. I now do most scotches neat or almost so, some need about 1/4 water, this one needs 1/2 water to smooth out the texture and integrate the citrusy elements.
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