The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask launched in Sydney to the beat of a steel kettle drum at The Cuban Place / Parke Davis in the CBD.
The new expression was presented by James Buntin, The Balvenie Ambassador at the intimate event. Bottled at 43%, the whisky is matured in traditional American oak casks for 14 years then transferred into casks that previously held Caribbean rum for a few months.
On the nose, it has rich toffee notes and sweet fruit and on the palate, it lingers with toffee, hints of oak and spice with dark chocolate. The finish is dry, warming and long in a beautifully rounded whisky.
Two cocktails were created for the occasion by Richard Blanchard. The Smoked Apricot & Hickory Balvenie Dark & Stormy was easy-drinking and a palate refresher and the Balvenie Beachcomber, was a moreish mix of the Balvenie 12 YO with Maraschino, Solerno and lime. The Balvenie Doublewood 12 YO & 17 YO expressions were also on taste.
The intimate launch was a celebration of craftsmanship and technique for both The Balvenie and Charles Moller, one of Australia’s finest Caribbean steel drum makers with world renowned player, Richard Booth performing various tunes.
The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask is an addition to the existing portfolio of 12 YO DoubleWood, 17 YO DoubleWood, 21 YO PortWood, and 30 YO Thirty and is available at a RRP of $115 AUD.
This article was originally published on July 30, 2014 on our sister website Gourmantic.
