Balvenie Signature 12 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside

Brand: The Balvenie Signature

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 12 Years

ABV:  40 %

Colour: Full Gold

Nose: Rather Sweet actually with some Fruit (Peach, Banana and Orange), Buttered Toast with Apricot Marmalade, Malt, Sherry, Dried Fruits, Toffee/Caramel, Oak/Vanilla, Cocoa and Honey. Not bad but certainly not as smooth as the Double Wood. There's a slight harsh edge to the Nose.

Palate: Bit Thin. Sweet Honeyed Pastry, Spices (Nutmeg, Pepper, Ginger and Cinnamon), Butter, Dried Fruits, Vanilla/Oak, Dates. Again it' s not as pleasant as the Double Wood. I'm certain this spirit would benefit from a slightly higher ABV. 

Finish: Rather short and disappointing with Vanilla/Oak, Spice, Nuts, Toffee and Malt.

With a bit of water the Nose gets more smooth. Buttered Toast with Apricot and Vanilla are in the lead. Palate and Finish become too watery and slightly bitter.

Rating: 81

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20

General Remarks: This Balvenie expression was launched in 2008 to replace the 10 Years Founders Reserve. It matures in three different wood types i.e. Sherry, First Fill Bourbon and Refill Casks. Batches are then married together by the Balvenie's Malt Master David Stewart.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: I expected way more to be honest. So far I quite liked the expressions of this Distillery but that's not so much the case here. It's not bad of course but it tastes a bit rough and unfinished. I have never had the chance to experiment the Founders Reserve 10 but when I compare the Signature to the Doublewood, the latter wins on all accounts. The Doublewood, although not at all complicated, is really smooth and always a joy to sip. There's always a bottle of it in my cabinet. The Signatory is perhaps a bit more elaborated on the Nose but I didn't like the slightly harsh edge there. On the Palate I found it too thin and the Finish is short and disappointing. I feel a bit sorry for David Stewart because I'm sure he put a lot of dedication into making the Signature. But I will stick to my Doublewood for the time being!

Jan van den Ende                                                           February 23, 2013