16th October, 2012 by Becky Paskin

The Balvenie has launched a new permanent expression to its core range of single malt whiskies – The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old.

The new release completes the Speyside distillery’s core line-up, which includes The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old, Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old, and Portwood 21 Year Old.

Developed by malt master David Stewart, who earlier this year celebrated 50 years at the company owned by William Grant, the Doublewood 17 Year Old is an older version of The Balvenie’s younger 12 year-old expression – its most popular whisky.

Aged in American oak barrels and finished in European oak sherry casks with an abv of 43%, the new release is described as being more complex and rich than its younger sibling, having “deeper vanilla notes, hints of green apple and creamy toffee” flavours.

Stewart said: “Wherever I travel in the world, DoubleWood 12 Year Old is the expression that people are most likely to have enjoyed. It is also one of the whiskies I am most proud of when I look back over my 50 years at the distillery, which is why it has been so exciting to create this new older version.”

The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old marks the completion of the distillery’s “clear consumer ladder”, which uses age statements and wood finishes as a consumer guide to flavour.

“In completing the new core range of The Balvenie, we have an engaging and exciting collection of malts both for those starting out on their journey of whisky discovery and for connoisseurs alike,” said Andrew Forrester, The Balvenie UK brand ambassador.

The new whisky will be available in the UK and the US for an RRP of £75 from 1 November 2012.