BALVENIE 17 YEAR OLD DOUBLEWOOD 70CL/43%

NOSE

Patisserie aromas, in fact this resembles nothing so much as a good-quality doughnut, complete with icing sugar & gooey strawberry jam; then a heavy dollop of vanilla and the first hint of sherry, in the form of raisin ice cream drizzled with honey, and of course oak - fresh timber and autumn leaves. Very appealing.

PALATE

Now the sherry influence is more prominent with cakey dried fruit (date, raisin) mingling with apple pie aromas. The main difference with the 12yo, though, is that here the oak is centre-stage. Naturally, as this is a Balvenie, it's very good oak, with big creamy vanilla, polished wood, a bite of oakspices (clove, cinnamon) and a hint of dry liquorice.

FINISH

Medium-length, gently drying with a kick of spice.