The Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask single malt Scotch whisky; this is one of those bottles that I have to review before I finish it. When I find great chocolate I want to pair with whisky, this is often one of the first bottles I grab. Likewise, when looking for a whisky to pair with soft cheese, this bottle regularly comes to mind.
Only when looking back on my whisky and food posts and tasting notes, did I realize, just how much I relied on the Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 year old whisky for its fruity notes.
According to some research, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask Scotch whisky was launched to mark the 50th anniversary of David Stewart joining the Balvenie distillery. It has since become a permanent part of the Balvenie range.
Related Article: Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask whisky has been matured in traditional oak casks for 14 years. Afterwards, it was finished in casks that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s personal blend of select West Indian rum.
You can read more of the Balvenie distillery history in my blog on The Balvenie Doublewood, The Balvenie Portwood 1993 and the Balvenie Single Barrel whisky
I have paired the Balvenie Caribbean Cask with Lindt Excellence Blueberry Intense. The tartness of the blueberries cuts through the sweetness of the whisky. The dark chocolate compliments the toffee flavours of the whisky superbly. A great whisky chocolate pairing.
I have also paired it with a creamy South African Camembert. Another great pairing! This dram works well with a Brie cheese too. A very versatile whisky! One I will certainly replace it when the bottle is empty. So below my official tasting notes on this versatile whisky.
REGION: Speyside
ABV: 43%.
COLOUR: It is golden wheat with flashes of ruby.
NOSE: Rich with sweet notes of ripe mango, pineapple and guava, toffee, Christmas cake and plump rum-soaked raisins. Hints of florals and malt intermingling with oak come to mind. Notes of fudge and lashings of spices.
PALATE: Without water, the fruitiness continues with mango and spicy notes, creamy caramel toffee and bits of oak, vanilla and ginger. There is a tipsy tart yumminess in the background. The Caribbean Cask has a creamy mouthfeel and is quite chewy.
Adding water brings more wood to the front and softens the spiciness. Water brings together all the symphony of notes in this whisky.
FINISH: Long and lingering, smooth and creamy. It stays around long after the glass is empty. Notes of light pectin and pepper.
RATING: EXCELLENT
This Scottish dram has me dreaming of a hammock strung between 2 palm trees with the ocean lapping softly at the nearby shore. It is memorable and evolves as you drink it. If you see one, grab it. It is a worthy addition to any collection.
Balvenie Golden Cask whisky, which is also a 14 year old and finished in rum. I did a side by side comparison between the Golden Cask, and I did a side by side comparison between these two beautiful drams.
Furthermore, I have done a side by side comparison between the Caribbean rum and the Balvenie Doublewood single malt releases. You can read all about how they differ.
Also read: The Balvenie Peated Cask whisky
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