🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old
A 14-year-old Speyside single malt from The Balvenie, finished in casks that once held rum; 43% ABV.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old is a permanent single malt from The Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, Speyside. The whisky is 14 years old and 43% ABV. Compared with the basic DoubleWood 12, it differs in its finish: after the main maturation it is moved into oak casks that previously held a blend of Caribbean rum.
According to Difford's Guide, the whisky first matures in American oak casks that held bourbon, then spends a short time in American casks that once held rum. The blend of West Indian rums was assembled by master blender David Stewart, as described. The official website does not say how many months the finish lasts. The distillery belongs to the family-owned William Grant & Sons.
Why this matters to you. If you know The Balvenie DoubleWood 12, this expression shows how a different cask changes the same whisky: rum instead of sherry here. Look at the name and age, because the versions of this brand differ. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | Balvenie distillery founded 1892/1893, Dufftown; the launch year of this range is not given in our sources |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | malted barley |
| Cask type | American oak ex-bourbon, then American oak ex-West Indian rum |
| Minimum maturation | 14 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 43% |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🐝 American white oak, 🥃 Rum
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Part of
- 🥃 The Balvenie, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Caribbean Cask mixes rum into the whisky?
No. Only the casks were previously filled with rum; the bottle contains single malt whisky finished in such a cask.
What are the age and strength of Caribbean Cask 14?
14 years and 43% ABV according to Difford's Guide and the official website.
What rum was in the casks?
Difford's Guide describes a blend of West Indian rums assembled by master blender David Stewart; the sources do not name the brands.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Rum — A distillate of sugar-cane molasses, syrup or juice: in the EU at least 37.5% vol., no flavourings or added alcohol, up to 20 g/l of sugar.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
Similar
🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old · 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old · 🥃 The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old · 🥃 Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old · 🥃 Glen Moray 12 Year Old · 🥃 Benromach Contrasts: Organic
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Difford's Guide: The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask (43 %; ex-bourbon American oak, finished in casks that held West Indian rum)
- The Balvenie (official US shop): Caribbean Cask 14 (43 %, 86 proof; American oak casks that held West Indian rums)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Balvenie (Double Wood 1993; core range: Double Wood 17, Caribbean Cask 14, Port Wood 21)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskySpeyside whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyThe Balvenie
- SpiritsWhiskyThe Balvenie