Balvenie Caribbean Cask
Posted: 22:54 Thu 12 Sep 2013
Some may remember from previous discussion that the Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel has long been a favourite whisky of mine. Originally they offered a 10yr "Founder's Reserve", a 12yr "Doublewood" and the 15yr "Single Barrel" which for me was a significant cut above the others. Over time they have tried a lot of different finishes (additional maturation in different cask types) including a Portwood finish, which when I tried it was a 17yr bottle, expensive and not at as good as the single barrel; I note the Portwood is now 21yr, and there are additionally 30yr, 40yr and 50yr versions.
In any case, the point of this post is that they have recently (to my knowledge anyway) started offering a 14yr "Carribean Cask" - a rum cask finish, which also seems to be more widely available than the Single Barrel; on seeing it on the shelves in Sainsbury at reasonable price I decided to try it and was pleasantly impressed. Most of the clear clean flavour I expect from the Balvenie single barrel, smooth, but with a fuller, rounder edge from the rum; very pleasant indeed; recommended if you've enjoyed Balvenie single barrel.
In any case, the point of this post is that they have recently (to my knowledge anyway) started offering a 14yr "Carribean Cask" - a rum cask finish, which also seems to be more widely available than the Single Barrel; on seeing it on the shelves in Sainsbury at reasonable price I decided to try it and was pleasantly impressed. Most of the clear clean flavour I expect from the Balvenie single barrel, smooth, but with a fuller, rounder edge from the rum; very pleasant indeed; recommended if you've enjoyed Balvenie single barrel.