Two casks give The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 its name and its shape: this Speyside single malt Scotch spends twelve years in American ex-bourbon oak, then a nine-month finish in European Oloroso sherry casks. The second wood is the signature move, layering dried-fruit and sherry depth over the vanilla and honey the bourbon barrel lays down first. Malt Master David Stewart pioneered this cask-finishing approach at the distillery, and DoubleWood is where most drinkers meet it. Bottled at 86 proof, it carries nutty sweetness, cinnamon spice, and a measured thread of sherry into a long, warming finish. It is an easy pour to keep on the shelf neat, with a drop of water, or over a single cube after dinner.