Balvenie Golden Cask 14 Year

Golden cask holds a special place in my heart because it was the first scotch I’ve ever had. I remember attempting to savor the liquor for the first time as opposed to downing it, and being met with an incisive bite. Determined, my friends and I continued to try our palate. Eventually, I began to discern notes of chocolate...fruits...wood? It was a whole new world; I had no intention of leaving after seeing what delicacies awaited discovery. This scotch is riddled with honey, florals, tropical fruits, apples, walnuts, tons of toffee, nougat, vanilla, cocoa, rum, and oak. Very sweet, but in the most appropriate and delicious way possible. A shame it was limited release.

Nose- pineapple juice; fresh apples; new oak Palate- oranges; bananas; brown sugar; lime juice; new oak Finish- medium, oily finish; brown sugar; bananas I’ve had better, especially from Balvenie. The 14 Caribbean cask is much better in all regards. Nice rum influence on the nose and palate, but the finish could be longer and is a bit thin. Tastes a bit young for 14 years as well.

If I had to pick an everyday scotch to drink, I think this would be it. Smooth, slight peat notes, some rum notes; just well balanced. Never overwhelms the palate though. Superb for an easily accessible scotch.

Not much experience with single malts, but nevertheless this is delicious with mild peat and a little rum sweetness from the cask on the way out but subtle.

Nose: caramel, vanilla, pineapple Mouth: bit spicy, sweet, vanilla Finish: long lasting, firstly sweet, bit smoky in the end Overall quite spicy.

A little hot. Not too much rum to speak of. Sweet with a hint of orange. More Sweetness in the form of vanilla on the finish.