This is a new(er) release from Balvenie, developed specificaly for the US market. This, however, is not the first time Balvenie has experimented with rum casks. There was the 17 year old limited edition which was aged exclusively in rum casks, as well as another 14 year old which was only available in travel retail.
I like this whisky a lot, so do not misunderstand what I am about to say. This tastes exactly what it is: Balvenie 15 which was briefly finished in rum casks. The traditional honey/cereal character of the 15 is still very much present, but there is evidence of rum on the nose and finish, so a bit more fruit, spice, and brown sugar. I think this is a very good balance between the Balvenie and the rum, as I believe the rum would dominate the whisky if left for too long. I never had the opportunity to taste the limited edition 17, but this is the general consensus I get from speaking with people who have.
If you are a fan of the Balvenie 15, I recommend trying the Caribbean Cask for a change of pace and vice versa.
Click here to see my review of the Balvenie 15.
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