Here we have one of the mainstays of The Balvenie’s single malt offerings: the 14 years old Caribbean Cask.
“This single malt spent many years maturing in traditional whisky oak casks before being transferred to casks that had previously held Caribbean rum for a final period of maturation”
The whisky has spent thr majority of its 14 years in traditional oak casks (aka ex-bourbon casks) before an undisclosed “finishing period” in casks that have previously held Caribbean rum.
Devised by industry legend, David Stewart MBE, the Caribbean casks in question are actually filled American oak casks with his own blend of Caribbean rums in order to produce the finishing casks for this expression.
The bottle is presented in the now-classic Balvenie styling and the whisky is captured at 43% ABV without colouring or chill filtration. Currently available for around £60-70 per 70cl bottle.
Nose
Vanilla, toffee, and banana, (banoffee?!) are the first smells that really hit home. With a little time they merge into an egg custard sort of set of flavours with those softer sweeter aromas joined by a little nutmeg and baking spice. It may be the marketing talking but I can also get touch of that super sweet coconut-like note that you’d get from rum (of course).
Taste
Soft and silky arrival with sweet vanilla and toffee arriving first again, followed by the more tropical elements that the rum influence had been promising with pineapple, papaya, and mango fruitiness and a slowly rising pepper oak spice.
Finish
For all the more tropical notes on the palate the finish seems to tingle away and return to the spirit’s core malt flavours and oak spices from the barrel.
Verdict
A really sweet and satisfying dram, albeit one that I’ve come to appreciate over time…
This whisky has been sat in the WU cabinet for a while. It was originally my first exotic single malt purchase, but I can remember that I was initially disappointed. After having tasted the Balvenie 12 and wanting that bigger cloying flavour profile, the fact that the 14yo Caribbean Cask was lighter, despite it extra years, kinda threw me. With time it’s grown on me a lot, especially with comparison to others who have leant REALLY into the rum cask influence.
What I’ve now been able to glean is that it’s maturity allows it to bring that mellow and silky texture of a well matured single malt scotch whilst the Caribbean rum adds a fresher tropical fruity experience where you’d normal expect your more British apples and pears sensations in a more traditional 14yo single malt. It is still soft and predominantly malty with a malted milk biscuit note rather than being overly tangy or zippy like a rum cask can often bring.
What I’ve therefore come to appreciate is the influence of David Stewart legacy at The Balvenie and the “cask finish”. Any trip to a whisky aisle nowadays will seemingly have more cask finishes than sole influence expressions!
On that note, I cannot believe I’ve not written about the 12yo Doublewood! Whilst taking these notes I’ve had a quick look through the WU site and there’s nothing else for The Balvenie!! Criminal!! That will be fixed very soon… (any excuse!)
Back to the 14yo and I’d say that this is a quality whisky that doesn’t overly rely on the cask finish, but that final cask does invariably give it a push. A light and sweet experience with enough maturity and little influences to make it a moreish experience.
M
Dram Disclosure: I bought this bottle out of my own pocket. No promo or agenda. Just an honest, independent, and fair review of the whisky. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
whisky unplugged 
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