The Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask

[jwise]

I just found a bottle of the Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask. It is extra-matured in rum casks.



Here's a review I put together on it:

On the nose, this whisky is very appealing, offering honey, pepper, and the wonderful aroma of a big whisky. Perhaps just a whiff of peat, but hardly noticeable at first. Not very complex on the nose, but straightforward GOOD!

On the tongue, this is a very nice whisky, offering peppery notes and richness. The little bit of peat showed up, but very faint. Definitely spicy, unlike the 12yr Doublewood or 21yr Portwood. Although the 15yr has some spicy notes to it, this expression trumps it in that regard.

The whisky isn't very sweet on the tongue, offering little fruitiness. Perhaps a little pear or green apple. Otherwise, this is a spicy malt that goes down easily. The label claims vanilla, honey and toffee, but other than the bit of honey on the nose, these were not present.

While I like this whisky, and I'm glad I bought it, I don't think it ranks in the top of my cabinet. This dram is just a bit too simple for me, not offering much more than spiciness.

[Dr. Spencer]

Do you still prefer the 21 y/o Portwood? I'm really interested in your top 10 as i really like your tastes.

[jwise]

I've never tasted a better scotch than the 21yr Portwood. Of course, comparing it against the Lagavulin 16yr is nearly impossible. However, if my "favorite" were to be the one that I would drink for the rest of my life, never to taste another, it would be the Portwood.

[jwise]

As for how my top 10 goes, I suppose it would look something like this:

1- Balvenie 21yr Portwood
2- Macallan Cask Strength (to be compared with Glenfarclas 105 or Aberlour A'Bunadh)
3- Glenrothes 1991 (Similar, but so much better than Dalwhinnie 15yr)
4- Lagavulin 16yr (Similar to, but much better than Laphroaig 15yr)
5- Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel (Cask #4628)
6- Highland Park 18yr (Slightly better than the 12yr)
7- Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (Much better than the Lasanta)
8- Oban 14yr
9- Talisker 10yr
10- Aberlour 12yr Double Cask (Better, but similar to Balvenie 12yr Doublewood, Macallan 12yr and Glenfarclas 10yr Sherry Finished)

[nitehawk55]

Great list , some I have tried and others I will have to try as well if obtainable here which unfortunately is a problem plus the cost on some of these is outragious here due to the taxing .

[Jojo]

Great list! Have you ever tried Laphroaig Quarter Cask? Might be something you would enjoy

[jwise]

Originally Posted by Jojo

Great list! Have you ever tried Laphroaig Quarter Cask? Might be something you would enjoy

Yes, I have! It has the enhanced taste of the cask strength, without the extra concentration of alcohol. It is a great whisky. When my Laga and Laphroaig run out, its my plan to replace them with the quarter cask.