The Balvenie : Caribbean 14

43% × 5cl × SPEYSIDE

Introduced in 2009, the Caribbean Cask release from The Balvenie offers a classic Speyside style marred by an awkward, eclectic mix over time. A longer period in rum casks could have improved this one.

COLOR

Golden barley. No beading.

BODY

Oily with thick, fast-moving legs.

NOSE

Mixed fruit cocktail in syrup, followed by brown sugar and red apple skins. Poached pears unveil with time, followed by sawn oak and lime flesh.

PALATE

Toasted almonds alongside heaps of brown sugar. Prominent vanilla and custard powder. A little hot after a while, which brings in wood spice and cloves.

FINISH

Brown sugar and vanilla notes lend to raisins and double cream that unveil slowly but assuredly. Unfortunately, the hotness soon replaces this with citrus over time.

SCORE: 3.5/5