It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. 'Doublewood' gains its character from maturation in two woods, transferred from traditional x-Bourbon American oak to a Sherry oak casks for its final maturation. It's sometimes described as the classic, "essential" expression in Balvenie’s core range. From a 30ml sample, the nose is lifted with vanilla, dilute honey and dried fruits. The entry is featherweight, unfolding into a medium-weight dram with moderate flavours of dried fruit and a warm mouthfeel. An aftertaste of dried grass and drying oak sustains a little prickle. All up, this is uncomplicated and typical of the distillery style, but even at 12 years old, Doublewood still tastes surprisingly young. 40% Alc./Vol.

Tasting note: One of the highlights in the new-look range, this harkens back to some of the earliest Arrans which were mostly matured in Sherry casks. Ginger snaps, cinnamon and fruit'n'nut dark chocolate aromas follow with a lovely dried fruit aspect (figs, dates, apricots). Bold but balanced; drier in the mouth than the nose suggests with fresh dried fruit flavours, leaning towards apricots. Pepper, cinnamon and ginger bread spice up the medium long finish. A flavoursome 'contemporary' sherried style that's different to traditionalists like Glendronach or Macallan. 55.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Balanced, rich and elegant, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single malt scotch whisky that’s made for special occasions. Over the course of 18 years, our Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, takes this expression through a combination of cask types, including both first and second-fill American oak (for tropical fruitiness) and ex-sherry oak (for spicy complexity). The result of this deft navigation of the distilling arts is a gorgeous single malt scotch whisky that is complex, yet elegant and balanced. The Glenlivet 18 Year Old has won more awards than any other expression; every bottle is a true example of the quality and taste of The Glenlivet and deserves pride of place in your cabinet… perhaps to be held back for a fitting occasion? It is, after all, crafted to impress. Flavour: Ripe citrus, winter spice. Nose: Rich fruit, toffee