Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 y.o.

43% abv

Score:  83.5/100

I’m often a cynic with expressions like this, wondering how much rum influence we’ll see on the whisky.  Pondering whether or not it is just marketing.  Here, however, is a whisky absolutely emblazoned with the tattoo of sugar cane juice.

Weird mix, this.  And to be honest, I’m not sure how many malts could carry this off.  The heavy sherry woodiness of the Balvenie however, would seem to be a fairly solid vehicle for delivery in this case.

In simplest terms:  A sherried Speysider meets the relatively bold and synthetic flavors of a cheap rum (almost like a Bacardi Limon or something).  Love to know whose casks these were prior to their putting down roots in the warehouses at Balvenie.

Nose:  Some odd hints of pepper and pineapple.  Eucalyptus and pine.  Rum-raisin, brown sugar and apple.  Sharp citrus and orange marmalade.  A little bit of vanilla…and yeah…there’s a little bit of rum in there.  Coffee and toffee.

Palate:  Tobacco and spice.  Orange, pineapple and lemon.  Sprite or 7-Up (lemonade, for our friends in the UK).  Sharp burnt-sugar rummy notes.  toothpicks.  Pith and a bit of mint again.

Neat.  But not really my cup of tea (or whisky).

– Reviewed by:  Curt

– Photo:  Curt