Balvenie – Caribbean Cask 14 Years (70cl, 43%)

This is a 14 year old Balvenie from Speyside, released in August 2012. It was matured in traditional oak whisky casks and then finished in casks that had held Caribbean rum. For the finish, Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE filled American oak casks with his own blend of West Indian rums, then replaced the rum with the aged spirit once he judged them ready. The result combines the honeyed character of the distillery with toffee and a hint of fruit. The nose is sweet, creamy toffee with fresh fruit, the palate is rounded with vanilla and sweet oak and a fruitiness that develops, and the finish is soft and lingering.