Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Years (Extra Matured in Rum Casks

[Quaich1]

After William's stellar review of this dram, I had to open my bottle of the Caribbean Cask which I finally did on Oct. 23, 2012. Here are my tasting notes:

Nose: Black forest cake with rum drizzle, stewed prunes, buckwheat honey with subtle black licorice/anise, real vanilla bean ice cream and the slightest hint of pistachio nut.

Palate: A rum punch (boxing reference), maybe a jab or probably a welcomed love tap of rum cask influences, well-received; warm, creamy, dark chocolate (high cocoa content), spice with a note of grapefruit peel (pleasant).

Finish: Creamier still, stewed fruit reduced to a pungent syrup, long and smooth with elements of gingerbread.

I concur with William's rating of 92 which is mine as well. A lovely drop.
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Charlie]

It sounds great, i havent had the chance to try it yet.

I see The Whisky Exchange refers to it as a limited edition but isnt it now a permanent addition to the Balvenie range

[Quaich1]

[Mark]

I am sure it is now part of the Balvenie Range.

Cheers for the tasting note Quaich1, i have a bottle but have not opened it yet. I have been trying not to open any more bottles before i finish off a few but it is hard to do especially with a new whisky i havent tried before from a distillery i know i like.

[William]

Cheers Murray, after tasting the Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 last Thursday night i got a bottle of the Balvenie Golden Cask 14 year old at Glasgow airport on Friday, which is also a rum cask finished Balvenie that is bottled at the higher strength of 47.5%, it was spicier and not as fruity as the Caribbean Cask, an excellent and very enjoyable Balvenie but given the choice i would have the Caribbean Cask.

Charlie, this is not a limited edition it is definitely now part of the new look Balvenie core range. Someone from William Grants/Balvenie team called me today and confirmed the Balvenie core range now looks like this

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old
The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old
The Balvenie PortWood, 21 Year Old

You will notice that I haven't listed The Balvenie Signature 12 Year Old or The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Year Old as part of the new look core range, this is because they are being phased out next year but I have been told that there are more additions to the the Balvenie core range planned for next year, so watch this space.
_________________
There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Craven]

Interesting, that means the whole Balvenie core range are now all cask finished whisky. People moaned when they discontinued the Balvenie 10 Founders Reserve and they then released the 12 year old Signature but it looks like that is now on the way out. I wonder if they will add an unfinished Balvenie to the range next year.

[Keith]

Cheers for the tasting note Quaich1, the new Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 is on my list of whiskies to try.

I see what you mean Charlie, TWE have described it as a limited edition which it isnt, a little misleading for buyers.