Today I look at a side-by-side comparison of two releases from the Balvenie Distillery. The Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood single malt Scotch whisky. Comparing different distilleries side by side is fun, but I find that the most interesting comparisons are the ones between other releases from the same distillery.
When you play around with drams from the same distillery, it gives you insight into the distillery character while highlighting cask influences and ageing changes. It is a wonderful way to explore a distillery, especially now that we are in Covid lockdown.
The Balvenie Distillery is a Speyside distillery in the Convals in Dufftown, Scotland, owned by William Grant and Sons. William Grant started as a bookkeeper at Mortlach distillery 1866, where he learned the distilling trade. After about twenty years at the Mortlach, he bought a piece of land near Balvenie Castle.
He built Balvenie 1892. It shares its water source, the Robbie Dhu springs, with Glenfiddich. It has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the most prestigious distilleries in the world. William Grant and Sons also own Glenfiddich and Kininvie Distillery.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Whisky
Balvenie launched the Caribbean Cask 14 year old single malt whisky to mark the 50th anniversary of David Stewart joining the Balvenie distillery. It is part of the Balvenie core range.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask single malt whisky has been matured in traditional oak casks for a period. Afterwards, it was finished in casks that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s own blend of select West Indian rum. It is readily available in South Africa (before Covid anyway).
The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky
The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old whisky is also part of the core series and readily available. (Well it was available before Covid and lockdown anyway) It was launched in 1993.
The Balvenie DoubleWood single malt Scotch spends 12 years maturing in traditional American oak ex-bourbon barrels and is then moved to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for an additional nine months.
Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood 12 yo Whisky
| Balvenie Double Wood | Balvenie Caribbean Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Speyside Whisky | Speyside Whisky |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Colour | Polished amber and burnt copper | Golden wheat |
| Nose | Bits of oak intertwined with sherry. Fresh grapes and red berries and spices with vanilla. Rich and inviting. | Ripe mango, pineapple and guava, toffee, Christmas cake and plump rum-soaked raisins. Hints of florals and malt intermingling with oak. Fudge and lashings of spices. |
| Palate | Sherry sweetness mixed with oak, honey and vanilla with mild nutmeg and cinnamon spice at the end. Bits of dried fruit and nuts. Not as complex as I expected. Medium body. | Mango and spicy notes, creamy caramel toffee, vanilla, oak, tipsy tart and ginger. Chewy and spicy. |
| Finish | Medium length with spicy, slightly drying notes and a hint of sweetness. | Long and lingering. Notes of pectin and pepper. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Comments | Great introduction to the Balvenie house style | Chewy and rich and very delicious. |
| Price | $76 | $95 |
| Pairs well with | Grilled Haloumi, smoked cheddar cheese, smoked duck. | Camembert or brie cheese, mushroom risotto. |
A side by side comparison like this is fascinating. You can pick up the Balvenie Distillery character notes of fruit, vanilla and honey in both these releases. The base of both the two releases is noticeably Balvenie. Both are smooth and very drinkable.
But I found the Balvenie Doublewood single malt delicate and not as complicated as I was expecting. The nose was creamy and delicious, but the palate did not quite live up to the promises the nose made. It had notes of oak, sherry, honey, nutmeg and cinnamon.
I have to note that this is the start of the Balvenie range and a great way to start exploring the distillery.
However, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask single malt is just delicious. It is big, bold, wonderfully balanced and chewy. Tropical mango mixed with Christmas cake, oak, toffee and pepper. Slightly more spicy than the Doublewood.
The Caribbean Cask is my favourite releases between these two. Aged for two years longer than the Doublewood, the extra time in the wood and the addition to the rum finishing adds a rich extra dimension.
This release makes me dream of tropical islands, especially now that we are confined to one place during lock down.
There is also a Balvenie Golden Cask which is a limited edition also finished in rum. I did a side by side comparison between the Golden Cask and the Caribbean Cask as well to see how they differ.
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Tumelo Ralinala
Hitherto I was remarking on the Balvenie Caribbean Cask.
Tumelo Ralinala
Radiant ebony hue colour beams. After pouring – allow the whisky a moment to settle – then swirl it around your tumbler whilst gently nosing it. The nose is reminiscent of caramel pudding and melted brown sugar. On the palate we have ripe banana and pineapple – subsequently followed by notes of toffee and fudge. The finish is quite pleasant with honey flavours omnipresent. Quite an indulgent flavour profile. Simply outdoes the DoubleWood in my opinion. Sterling Scotch – enjoy neat.