The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven

KenyanSandBoa · 04-17-2010, 12:30 PM

I had been talking to Matt (wolfandwhisky) about some single malts that wouldn't break the bank, but would also satisfy my urge to try fine single malts. Well, a special thanks to Matt for recommending The Balvenie Doublewood.

I picked up a bottle on Thursday night for a little after dinner treat and was not disappointed. I paired it with a 601 Blue and it was a match made in heaven. For anyone interested in pursing some fine single malts, I would definitely recommend The Balvenie as a great place to start.

I was originally planning on smoking a Man O' War with it, but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get a torro in before the rain, so I switched to the 601 Blue robusto.

04-17-2010, 12:34 PM

Balvenie is good stuff. Especially for the price.

KenyanSandBoa · 04-17-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

Balvenie is good stuff. Especially for the price.

Yeah, that was a key point for me. I didn't want to dive head first into some bank-breaking scotch and not like it. Seems like a good starting point.

04-17-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

Yeah, that was a key point for me. I didn't want to dive head first into some bank-breaking scotch and not like it. Seems like a good starting point.

Scotch isn't cheap, it's best to start nice and slow.

Mugen910 · 04-17-2010, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the invite Jim

I know nothing about whiskey but it looks good.

jaydub13 · 04-17-2010, 01:46 PM

That Balvenie Doublewood is a personal favorite, and it's pretty hard to argue with the price. In that price range, check out Talisker 12, Oban 14, and Compass Box Peat Monster. All are nice single malts at a great value.

KenyanSandBoa · 04-17-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen910

Thanks for the invite Jim

I know nothing about whiskey but it looks good.

I'll be sure to let you know the next time.

I have to remember how many inmates there are close by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydub13

That Balvenie Doublewood is a personal favorite, and it's pretty hard to argue with the price. In that price range, check out Talisker 12, Oban 14, and Compass Box Peat Monster. All are nice single malts at a great value.

Thanks for the heads up on those...I'll definitely have to check those out.

nomadicwookie · 04-22-2010, 09:52 PM

I just tried the Double Wood for the first time around Christmas. I have to say I was blown away as well. It's got a nice subtle sweetness to it.

RightAJ · 04-22-2010, 09:56 PM

Had this at an Ashton event.. very good, and went well with with a cigar!!

aj

wolfandwhisky · 04-22-2010, 10:06 PM

Glad you liked it Jim! Balvenie DW is often credited with being one of the whiskies that brings people into single malts.

Plus, the spicy notes, combined with oak, vanilla, and honey, work really well with a lot of cigars - especially maduros.

Great pairing - I'll definitely have to try it myself!

wolfandwhisky · 04-24-2010, 01:42 AM

Because of this thread I decided to crack open one of my bottles of DW... went with a UK release at 40%... very very smooth with the lower ABV

BlackDog · 06-16-2010, 11:49 AM

I had some Balvenie Doublewood this past weekend when I was visiting relatives in NC. Very good stuff. I liked the fruit/sweet undertones.

While there we went to another friends house for dinner. He is a liquor salesman, and had a nice spread of booze. My uncle told me "He's a liquor salesman, don't drink beer there." When our host saw me pouring a second Doublewood, he said to wait a minute, went to a closet, and pulled out another bottle..........of Balvenie 30 Year.

Wow. Awesome whisky.

Next day he showed up at my relatives house with a gift for me. My very own bottle of Balvenie 30 Year. Sealed, in the box, my very own. I'm torn. Part of me says keep it, since I'll never own another bottle so expensive. On the other hand, I don't drink a lot of scotch, and am happy with a nice 12 year old so I may donate it for an auction at the school for handicapped kids that my son goes to.

The bottle is being shipped to me since I couldn't carry it on the plane and I didn't want to check it. I'll have a hard decision to make noce I get it.

awsmith4 · 06-16-2010, 12:36 PM

Balvenie 12 DW is my go-to Scotch. I have yet to find a cigar it doesn't pair with.

wolfandwhisky · 06-16-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackDog

I had some Balvenie Doublewood this past weekend when I was visiting relatives in NC. Very good stuff. I liked the fruit/sweet undertones.

While there we went to another friends house for dinner. He is a liquor salesman, and had a nice spread of booze. My uncle told me "He's a liquor salesman, don't drink beer there." When our host saw me pouring a second Doublewood, he said to wait a minute, went to a closet, and pulled out another bottle..........of Balvenie 30 Year.

Wow. Awesome whisky.

Next day he showed up at my relatives house with a gift for me. My very own bottle of Balvenie 30 Year. Sealed, in the box, my very own. I'm torn. Part of me says keep it, since I'll never own another bottle so expensive. On the other hand, I don't drink a lot of scotch, and am happy with a nice 12 year old so I may donate it for an auction at the school for handicapped kids that my son goes to.

The bottle is being shipped to me since I couldn't carry it on the plane and I didn't want to check it. I'll have a hard decision to make noce I get it.

Great story - and either solution is an enjoyable one

hammondc · 09-01-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfandwhisky

Glad you liked it Jim! Balvenie DW is often credited with being one of the whiskies that brings people into single malts.

Absolutely true. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that stuff. the only other one I have purchased is a Dalmore. It is still almost full.

CigarNut · 09-01-2010, 08:27 PM

I have always like Balvenie! One of my favs!

Samsquanch · 09-01-2010, 08:43 PM

When I first started getting into single malts I was looking around at my local liquor store and they actually had a sampler pack of airplane sized bottles with 4 different single malts. That was about 5 years ago but they may still have the sampler pack at your local liquor store - it was a great intro.

awsmith4 · 09-01-2010, 11:20 PM

I m having a jigger of the 15yr as I type, it is different than the 12yr, especially seeing as its a single barrel, but still fantastic

Matt-N-Ga · 09-05-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4

I m having a jigger of the 15yr as I type, it is different than the 12yr, especially seeing as its a single barrel, but still fantastic

WTF ? You holding out on me ? Damn that sounds good. Here, I say you buy this and let me try some whenever I want :

http://www.luxist.com/2010/05/26/fir...from-balvenie/

CBI_2 · 09-05-2010, 09:22 PM

Sounds great. I look forward to trying it now. I picked up a bottle of Glen Moray 12yr. Single Malt Speyside that is very reasonably priced and very smooth. http://www.glenmoray.com/tasting-not...tes-twelve.php

04-17-2010, 12:34 PM	#2
Darrell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Balvenie is good stuff. Especially for the price.

04-17-2010, 01:16 PM	#5
Mugen910 I <3 Huy Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Location Location: First Name Posts: 8,387 Trading: (106)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Thanks for the invite Jim I know nothing about whiskey but it looks good. __________________ I'm not antisocial, I just think people are stupid.

04-17-2010, 01:46 PM	#6
jaydub13 aka Little Pickle Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Jason Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 227 Trading: (5)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven That Balvenie Doublewood is a personal favorite, and it's pretty hard to argue with the price. In that price range, check out Talisker 12, Oban 14, and Compass Box Peat Monster. All are nice single malts at a great value.

04-22-2010, 09:52 PM	#8
nomadicwookie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 236 Trading: (7)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven I just tried the Double Wood for the first time around Christmas. I have to say I was blown away as well. It's got a nice subtle sweetness to it.

04-22-2010, 09:56 PM	#9
RightAJ Here Franky Franky Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: aj Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 915 Trading: (3)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Had this at an Ashton event.. very good, and went well with with a cigar!! aj __________________ My Blog-> ajstogies.blogspot.com Beer Blog->thehopscribe.blogspot.com

04-22-2010, 10:06 PM	#10
wolfandwhisky Resident Whisky Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 First Name: Matt Location: Arizona Posts: 521 Trading: (4)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Glad you liked it Jim! Balvenie DW is often credited with being one of the whiskies that brings people into single malts. Plus, the spicy notes, combined with oak, vanilla, and honey, work really well with a lot of cigars - especially maduros. Great pairing - I'll definitely have to try it myself!

04-24-2010, 01:42 AM	#11
wolfandwhisky Resident Whisky Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 First Name: Matt Location: Arizona Posts: 521 Trading: (4)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Because of this thread I decided to crack open one of my bottles of DW... went with a UK release at 40%... very very smooth with the lower ABV

06-16-2010, 11:49 AM	#12
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven I had some Balvenie Doublewood this past weekend when I was visiting relatives in NC. Very good stuff. I liked the fruit/sweet undertones. While there we went to another friends house for dinner. He is a liquor salesman, and had a nice spread of booze. My uncle told me "He's a liquor salesman, don't drink beer there." When our host saw me pouring a second Doublewood, he said to wait a minute, went to a closet, and pulled out another bottle..........of Balvenie 30 Year. Wow. Awesome whisky. Next day he showed up at my relatives house with a gift for me. My very own bottle of Balvenie 30 Year. Sealed, in the box, my very own. I'm torn. Part of me says keep it, since I'll never own another bottle so expensive. On the other hand, I don't drink a lot of scotch, and am happy with a nice 12 year old so I may donate it for an auction at the school for handicapped kids that my son goes to. The bottle is being shipped to me since I couldn't carry it on the plane and I didn't want to check it. I'll have a hard decision to make noce I get it. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

06-16-2010, 12:36 PM	#13
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Balvenie 12 DW is my go-to Scotch. I have yet to find a cigar it doesn't pair with. __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

09-01-2010, 08:27 PM	#16
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven I have always like Balvenie! One of my favs! __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

09-01-2010, 08:43 PM	#17
Samsquanch Feeling at Home Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Andrew Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 564 Trading: (21)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven When I first started getting into single malts I was looking around at my local liquor store and they actually had a sampler pack of airplane sized bottles with 4 different single malts. That was about 5 years ago but they may still have the sampler pack at your local liquor store - it was a great intro. __________________ ...I'm not saying I agree with it, it's just that bird law in this country, it's not governed by reason.

09-01-2010, 11:20 PM	#18
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven I m having a jigger of the 15yr as I type, it is different than the 12yr, especially seeing as its a single barrel, but still fantastic __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

09-05-2010, 09:22 PM	#20
CBI_2 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: In my skin. Posts: 2,066 Trading: (0)	Re: The Balvenie - A Match Made in Heaven Sounds great. I look forward to trying it now. I picked up a bottle of Glen Moray 12yr. Single Malt Speyside that is very reasonably priced and very smooth. http://www.glenmoray.com/tasting-not...tes-twelve.php __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus Cool Cigar Themed Stuff