On sale this week at my local liquor store...$56.99 for the Caribbean 14 and $39.99 for the Doublewood 12. I have a bottle and enjoy the Doublewood 12...particularly when I tire from the heavily sherried malts...and I like the medium/long finish and oak influence in the Doublewood. I'll have to decide whether to gamble on this Caribbean or just buy another bottle of the Doublewood 12 tried and true.
@@Scotch4Dummies Kansas City area...specifically Lukas Liquors. Last week the Aberlour 12 was on sale at $39.99.....this week the two Balvenie bottles are on sale. Ironically, I already (of course) had two bottles of Aberlour that I'd purchased (also on sale) for $47.99ea and the Doublewood I bought (not on sale) recently for about $53. Awfully hard to pass on that Doublewood for $40 whether I need it or not.
@@Scotch4Dummies I take it all back....the specials for Lukas were for a store in Colorado only. If it is too good to be true...it likely isn't true. My store nearly laughed at me when I complained about the email specials vs. their actual price(s).
Whaaat, $57 AND $40 for those 2 , I'm jealous! So, guess what guys? I'm a Hoosier too, born & bred in Central Indiana, Indianoplace! (remember that place, and Naptown, another moniker 4 my Indiana 🏡 home!!
Guys, having a dram of the 14 year now. So good! I'm with Drew, a true Speyside junkie! I agree with the 2.5's and 3, but I think the water made it way too sweet! Waiting now for your live vid tonight for your 100th! Keep it up!
I can't afford it... so, I save up unyil I can... then my taste buds are heaven bound. I just know what I love, even if I can 't explain the what or why. So glad that you guys agree with me.
Have you tried the 12-year single barrel Balvenie? It's definitely a summertime dram for me. The 15-year single barrel sherry wood is also excellent, albeit rather pricey--north of $115 in my neck of the woods.
I wasn't crazy about it the first time I tried it but It has grown on me. I like it more every time I try it. The water does open it up alot I do agree. Cheers
Bought a bottle of this last Christmas and was massively disappointed with it! I loved the doublewood 12, so thought I'd give this a try... I was met by just pure alcohol that I honestly couldn't palate at all. I've bought a miniature recently to try it again, as I'm hoping I just bought a bad bottle. Only discovered your channel recently and am really enjoying learning from you all!
Great review guys. I got this on base at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for only 52 bucks:) As I was telling Corey Martin....I have now had two bottles that have been great...and one that was not good at all. I wish I could join you guys at the expo it sounds like it is going to be a blast. I procrastinated too long... and I think you guys said that the tickets are sold out now..right?
We haven’t had a bottle of that in a while but Drew really enjoyed that one. Wish you could come to the expo but they have it every year. There are still some regular tickets but the VIP are sold out. -Shawn
+The Malted Man Cave yep, just double checked and Tix are sold out.... Which sucks as we'd love to have seen you there. Btw, what are you doing on an AF base? ~Mark
Scotch 4 Dummies I am retired from the military ...so I am able to get on base and shop at the commissary. Sometimes they have a fairly good selection and it is tax free:). I will plan on coming to the expo next year. I live around Dayton, Oh so it is not that far away. I will be watching the live stream...hope you guys have a blast.
Scotch 4 Dummies I did law enforcement in the Coast Guard. I was medically retired early because I hurt my back really bad when I was deployed. That’s my excuse for why I am fat:). Really ...it’s because I drink too much scotch.
This bottle is sooo good.. feels thick and chewy. strong vanilla, cloves, oak, butterscotch. Drinking it feels like drinking a quality speyside, and the finish is like a premium, sweeter, no burn version of that spiced rum bumbu.. if u watched this thinking about buying it, just do it! Only downside is trying not finishing a $100 bottle in a week
The more I watch your reviews the more i like it, the more I get to know you guys. 1.5 to a nice 3 tells me it's all about what you are looking for in a dram in this one. Well, before I watched the review, today at work I ordered one bottle online since it's not available anywhere in Québec except online, it goes for $127.25.... if I cross the border to Ontario it's over 140$ Will get it in in about 2-5 days, I'm pretty excited to try it, wanted to have that bottle in my collection, we'll se if I like it, if not, will drink it with father in law lollllll Thankx again for the great reviews guys :)
I don't think you will be disappointed in this one. It is still one of Drew's favorite bottles and I think it offers a unique twist to the scotch. I was able to try a Glenfiddich 21 yr rum cask finish and found it to be excellent as well. The rum finish adds some nice spice and sweet notes and a fun bit of complexity. Let us know how you feel about it once you try it. -Shawn
Very sweet, very delicate, almost a wine feel on the nose with honey/vanilla, little fruity but no way i could say what fruit. Taste: little nutty, little spicy, the rum is there but all is in nuances, the wood is perfecto, envelopes the mouth, the after taste feels mature like you would expect in a 14 y.o. not over powering but long lasting. Overall it's a good dram, a little expensive but no regrets, everything feels like quality crafting. Happy to have it in my collection :)
I was the opposite of a lot of you. Enjoyed this dram tonight, and I liked it a lot more than the Double Wood 12. Goes to show how subjective our favorite hobby can be. :)
I will have to go buy another bottle of this and give it a go. Did not like it last year when I tried it. I would personally rather have 2 bottles of the 12 yr Double Wood instead of 1 bottle of the Rum Cask. Cheers
Corey...I have had one bottle of the 14 Caribbean cask that was amazing and one that was not good at all. They must have some consistency issues with this one. Hope you are doing well:)
What's really funny is the price difference around the country. Here in Virginia, this Balvenie goes for only $72, whereas Lagavulin 16 year is $106(!). Crazy how things change from state to state.
I have to agree with Corey Martin again. I bought the 14 Caribbean expecting to get a nice rum finish almost like the Glenfiddich 21 and I was disappointed. I paid $64 and I would give it a 2. You guys didn't give it a big thumbs up either. I would rather drink the 12 yr DoubleWood any day.
+Scotch 4 Dummies I was just hoping that the Balvenie 14 rum cask would share some flavors of the Glenfiddich 21, being that it is finished in a rum cask. No comparison. The Glenfiddich 21 is in a class by itself. Just like the Balvenie 21 portwood.
Whew...well, we all live on the same street and our kids all go to school together and we have been hanging out for a while...we started drinking scotch a little here or there around a backyard fire or a Friday night get together and decided the guys needed a night to get together have a dram and throw some darts....after a few months of that we figured, hell let's throw a camera up and start recording our impressions of the scotch we try...it's coming up on our 1 year anniversary here soon and we're rolling. Literally having a blast and learning so much about this wonderful world of scotch. Our palettes have all matured immensely, we've been able to try scotch that we couldn't afford by ourselves and the conversations we've started with people around the world is flat out awesome!Take yourself for instance, there is no doubt you are going to enlighten other scotch drinkers by your comments here...hell, we'll be the first to give you props when we learn something. But, multiply that by all the subscribers and we're all benefitting....all while having fun and enjoying scotch! How can that go wrong?Really appreciate you getting involved in the conversation and hope you're able to learn something along the way with us!~Cheers
Got mixed reactions from the presumably quite similar 14 Cuban Selection (Balvenie supposedly changed the name for the US to Caribbean Cask due to the then-still-effective embargo since it was finished in Cuban rum barrels). Last group of tasting attendees liked it very much for the most part. Me, I think it's not 'rumy' enough and not that much better than the 12 Doublewood to justify the additional cost. Imho it lacks personality, maybe well-balanced, but nothing that really wows me. And then there was my rum cask reference that might've ruined it, too: whiskybase.com/whisky/32537/royal-brackla-1992-ca . Glad you like it nonetheless, of course. ;-)
I liked this whisky, but the flavor on the palate was a little disappointing. It was sweet and easy to drink but I was expecting more of a rum taste. Better to stick with the Double-wood which is a lot cheaper.
+roostershooter76 good question, we should be more clear... Kind of very carried away! Our rating is our of 4 (as in a 4 finger pour)... So a two-five would be a 2.5 or if four! Sorry for the confusion (we're having a bit of fun)
forgive me my english, I should say "just tryed this evening", and today we try again with 10 other scotch ,smokey-lagavoulin 16, laphroig 10 and balmore 15, and rest from Speyside and Highland, :) Will see
You factor in price in so many reviews and bring down the scotch yet in this one you do not factor it in. Maybe you should not factor price at all and go back and redistribute the wealth to the other scotches you slammed because of price, lol. At 90 bucks this scotch is a no buy for me. It is a good scotch, but it is not better than many 12 year scotches at 50 bucks. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is better and almost half the price.
On sale this week at my local liquor store...$56.99 for the Caribbean 14 and $39.99 for the Doublewood 12. I have a bottle and enjoy the Doublewood 12...particularly when I tire from the heavily sherried malts...and I like the medium/long finish and oak influence in the Doublewood. I'll have to decide whether to gamble on this Caribbean or just buy another bottle of the Doublewood 12 tried and true.
OMG those are great prices for two great bottles. Where do you live? :P
@@Scotch4Dummies Kansas City area...specifically Lukas Liquors. Last week the Aberlour 12 was on sale at $39.99.....this week the two Balvenie bottles are on sale. Ironically, I already (of course) had two bottles of Aberlour that I'd purchased (also on sale) for $47.99ea and the Doublewood I bought (not on sale) recently for about $53. Awfully hard to pass on that Doublewood for $40 whether I need it or not.
@@Scotch4Dummies I take it all back....the specials for Lukas were for a store in Colorado only. If it is too good to be true...it likely isn't true. My store nearly laughed at me when I complained about the email specials vs. their actual price(s).
Whaaat, $57 AND $40 for those 2 , I'm jealous! So, guess what guys? I'm a Hoosier too, born & bred in Central Indiana, Indianoplace! (remember that place, and Naptown, another moniker 4 my Indiana 🏡 home!!
Guys, having a dram of the 14 year now. So good! I'm with Drew, a true Speyside junkie! I agree with the 2.5's and 3, but I think the water made it way too sweet! Waiting now for your live vid tonight for your 100th! Keep it up!
I can't afford it... so, I save up unyil I can... then my taste buds are heaven bound. I just know what I love, even if I can 't explain the what or why. So glad that you guys agree with me.
Have you tried the 12-year single barrel Balvenie? It's definitely a summertime dram for me. The 15-year single barrel sherry wood is also excellent, albeit rather pricey--north of $115 in my neck of the woods.
Don't think we've hit that single barrel yet....and you're right about that 15...that is a pretty salty price tag.
I wasn't crazy about it the first time I tried it but It has grown on me. I like it more every time I try it. The water does open it up alot I do agree. Cheers
+Bryan Elders love to hear other thoughts... Thanks for sharing!
Bought a bottle of this last Christmas and was massively disappointed with it! I loved the doublewood 12, so thought I'd give this a try... I was met by just pure alcohol that I honestly couldn't palate at all.
I've bought a miniature recently to try it again, as I'm hoping I just bought a bad bottle.
Only discovered your channel recently and am really enjoying learning from you all!
Great review guys. I got this on base at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for only 52 bucks:) As I was telling Corey Martin....I have now had two bottles that have been great...and one that was not good at all. I wish I could join you guys at the expo it sounds like it is going to be a blast. I procrastinated too long... and I think you guys said that the tickets are sold out now..right?
We haven’t had a bottle of that in a while but Drew really enjoyed that one. Wish you could come to the expo but they have it every year. There are still some regular tickets but the VIP are sold out.
-Shawn
+The Malted Man Cave yep, just double checked and Tix are sold out.... Which sucks as we'd love to have seen you there. Btw, what are you doing on an AF base?
~Mark
Scotch 4 Dummies I am retired from the military ...so I am able to get on base and shop at the commissary. Sometimes they have a fairly good selection and it is tax free:). I will plan on coming to the expo next year. I live around Dayton, Oh so it is not that far away. I will be watching the live stream...hope you guys have a blast.
+The Malted Man Cave what branch?
Scotch 4 Dummies I did law enforcement in the Coast Guard. I was medically retired early because I hurt my back really bad when I was deployed. That’s my excuse for why I am fat:). Really ...it’s because I drink too much scotch.
This bottle is sooo good.. feels thick and chewy. strong vanilla, cloves, oak, butterscotch. Drinking it feels like drinking a quality speyside, and the finish is like a premium, sweeter, no burn version of that spiced rum bumbu.. if u watched this thinking about buying it, just do it! Only downside is trying not finishing a $100 bottle in a week
The more I watch your reviews the more i like it, the more I get to know you guys. 1.5 to a nice 3 tells me it's all about what you are looking for in a dram in this one. Well, before I watched the review, today at work I ordered one bottle online since it's not available anywhere in Québec except online, it goes for $127.25.... if I cross the border to Ontario it's over 140$
Will get it in in about 2-5 days, I'm pretty excited to try it, wanted to have that bottle in my collection, we'll se if I like it, if not, will drink it with father in law lollllll Thankx again for the great reviews guys :)
I don't think you will be disappointed in this one. It is still one of Drew's favorite bottles and I think it offers a unique twist to the scotch. I was able to try a Glenfiddich 21 yr rum cask finish and found it to be excellent as well. The rum finish adds some nice spice and sweet notes and a fun bit of complexity. Let us know how you feel about it once you try it.
-Shawn
Very sweet, very delicate, almost a wine feel on the nose with honey/vanilla, little fruity but no way i could say what fruit. Taste: little nutty, little spicy, the rum is there but all is in nuances, the wood is perfecto, envelopes the mouth, the after taste feels mature like you would expect in a 14 y.o. not over powering but long lasting. Overall it's a good dram, a little expensive but no regrets, everything feels like quality crafting.
Happy to have it in my collection :)
Indeed it is good, glad to hear your perceptions and enjoyment! :-)~Mark
I think I need to go to the class six and grab another bottle for this weekend.
What is an affordable single malt scotch with year stamp that has a strong vanilla Carmel taste? New to scotch but looking.
No one said toffee or caramel ?!! One of the more distinctive notes i get from this and the doublewood 12 every time!! Love your videos
I was the opposite of a lot of you. Enjoyed this dram tonight, and I liked it a lot more than the Double Wood 12. Goes to show how subjective our favorite hobby can be. :)
I will have to go buy another bottle of this and give it a go. Did not like it last year when I tried it. I would personally rather have 2 bottles of the 12 yr Double Wood instead of 1 bottle of the Rum Cask.
Cheers
+Corey Martin fair enough friend! But if you're buying 2 bottles of 12 let us know, we'll help you out with killing them! 😉
Corey...I have had one bottle of the 14 Caribbean cask that was amazing and one that was not good at all. They must have some consistency issues with this one. Hope you are doing well:)
This is my go to. Such a good scotch.
A little pricey for some for a "go to scotch", but if you can swing it we have to agree!
What's really funny is the price difference around the country. Here in Virginia, this Balvenie goes for only $72, whereas Lagavulin 16 year is $106(!). Crazy how things change from state to state.
This is perfect for golfing on a hot summer day.
I have to agree with Corey Martin again. I bought the 14 Caribbean expecting to get a nice rum finish almost like the Glenfiddich 21 and I was disappointed. I paid $64 and I would give it a 2. You guys didn't give it a big thumbs up either. I would rather drink the 12 yr DoubleWood any day.
+Keith Petersen Tough call amongst the 4 of us....but the 21 is on the list, maybe we'll be able to compare it soon!
+Scotch 4 Dummies I was just hoping that the Balvenie 14 rum cask would share some flavors of the Glenfiddich 21, being that it is finished in a rum cask. No comparison. The Glenfiddich 21 is in a class by itself. Just like the Balvenie 21 portwood.
How did you guys get together and decide to start a scotch club?
Whew...well, we all live on the same street and our kids all go to school together and we have been hanging out for a while...we started drinking scotch a little here or there around a backyard fire or a Friday night get together and decided the guys needed a night to get together have a dram and throw some darts....after a few months of that we figured, hell let's throw a camera up and start recording our impressions of the scotch we try...it's coming up on our 1 year anniversary here soon and we're rolling. Literally having a blast and learning so much about this wonderful world of scotch. Our palettes have all matured immensely, we've been able to try scotch that we couldn't afford by ourselves and the conversations we've started with people around the world is flat out awesome!Take yourself for instance, there is no doubt you are going to enlighten other scotch drinkers by your comments here...hell, we'll be the first to give you props when we learn something. But, multiply that by all the subscribers and we're all benefitting....all while having fun and enjoying scotch! How can that go wrong?Really appreciate you getting involved in the conversation and hope you're able to learn something along the way with us!~Cheers
Got mixed reactions from the presumably quite similar 14 Cuban Selection (Balvenie supposedly changed the name for the US to Caribbean Cask due to the then-still-effective embargo since it was finished in Cuban rum barrels). Last group of tasting attendees liked it very much for the most part. Me, I think it's not 'rumy' enough and not that much better than the 12 Doublewood to justify the additional cost. Imho it lacks personality, maybe well-balanced, but nothing that really wows me. And then there was my rum cask reference that might've ruined it, too: whiskybase.com/whisky/32537/royal-brackla-1992-ca . Glad you like it nonetheless, of course. ;-)
I agree Drew... Go to all day long!
John, still one of my favorite bottles. I just wish it wasn't so expensive....I need to go get another bottle. -Drew
One of my favorites. I just reviewed the 12 Doublewood but I need to cover this one soon!
12 DW is a great introductory scotch that I often recommend to folks that I don't have a clear understanding of what they like and don't like!~Mark
Fantastic scotch. Got something more than ordinary single malt. Its Got that something....love this, actually Its my nr1.
Im sorry I writte twice about it , but just finish the bottle and missing very much :D ;-)
Good for you stach1111! It's awesome when you find one that just intrigues the heck out of you!! ~Mark
I liked this whisky, but the flavor on the palate was a little disappointing. It was sweet and easy to drink but I was expecting more of a rum taste. Better to stick with the Double-wood which is a lot cheaper.
+Frank lampard Fair enough, the 12 DW is pretty darn good in its own right for sure!
Just purchased this. It's in the backseat. Cracking it open once at the hotel! Cheers. Also look out for my new channel ITZScotch.
One of my favorites! -Drew
Definitely one of my favorites.
When you say "two five" do you mean a 2.5 out of 5?
+roostershooter76 good question, we should be more clear... Kind of very carried away! Our rating is our of 4 (as in a 4 finger pour)... So a two-five would be a 2.5 or if four! Sorry for the confusion (we're having a bit of fun)
I find it average. It is dominated by the rum flavour, and I don't find it particularly complex.
It's still good in 2021.
Very good , specific scotch, just try this evening
We haven't had it is quite some time, but yes it is enjoyable!! ~Mark
forgive me my english, I should say "just tryed this evening", and today we try again with 10 other scotch ,smokey-lagavoulin 16, laphroig 10 and balmore 15, and rest from Speyside and Highland, :) Will see
nice!
You factor in price in so many reviews and bring down the scotch yet in this one you do not factor it in. Maybe you should not factor price at all and go back and redistribute the wealth to the other scotches you slammed because of price, lol. At 90 bucks this scotch is a no buy for me. It is a good scotch, but it is not better than many 12 year scotches at 50 bucks. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is better and almost half the price.
$68 in Ohio
That is a 89 point whisky
Ralfy has spoken!
Not a Balvenie I appreciate.
+cato cato fair enough, but more importantly why?
+cato cato fair enough, but more importantly why?
+Scotch 4 Dummies just a touch too sweet for me. In general I am not a fan of rum anyway.
+cato cato We've got some good ones lined up for review! Can't wait to get your thoughts on them...stay tuned!
It's good, but it's boring.
A year later and now I like it, now I'm boring.
this whisky is trash, pure garbage.. dont waste your money on this bottle.
OUCH, that's tough. How about a little more...why? Not arguing here, just want to know more about why you think so.... ~Mark
@@Scotch4Dummies He has put the same comment on several video reviews of this. Don't know why