The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve Single Malt Whisky (Rum Barrel Selection), 70 cl with Gift Box

Product Information

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: What will Caribbean Reserve not do? If you're looking for something to compete with, say, The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask, this will fall short. It is also obviously younger. But, Caribbean Reserve is also more than half the price. What this will provide is an affordable, tasty, whisky that performs as advertised - an easy-sipping Scotch to be enjoyed on a hot, summer's day. I'll give it a Bottle rating, I believe it is worth that. Cheers!

Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve Gift Box - The Whisky Exchange Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve Gift Box - The Whisky Exchange

If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Whiskybase B.V. (“Whiskybase”, “we” or “us”, company details below) offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles and allows and stimulates its members to contribute information about whisky bottles to the platform (“Service”). The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve (image via Whisky Kirk) Tasting Notes: The Glenlivet Caribbean ReserveAs for the Glenlivet’s Caribbean Reserve, it’s not bad for the price. I like it a hair better than Glenlivet’s 12 year old offering. But that could change in time due to the fact that batches of the Caribbean could get even younger in the future (without an age statement). The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve is a tad more malty in a vague way, whereas Caribbean Reserve is snappier and better defined, along with a slight rum note. Oh right. I really wanted to like this one… especially since I was so pleasantly surprised by the Cognac Cask from Glenlivet. Unsurprisingly, this release is bottled at the bare minimum 40% ABV. Which, yes, does make light-and-fruity Speysiders like this taste watery. Give me 46% or give me… well, bourbon.

The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve - Scotch Noob The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve - Scotch Noob

To create whisky with a tropical feel, our makers finished a portion of our smooth whisky in barrels that previously held Caribbean rum. The result is a well balanced and exceptionally smooth whisky. Single malt, meet summer." - The Glenlivet This is, in my opinion, not a cooking whisky; it is slightly elevated from that. It’s probably not really a sipping whisky. I think, as I suggested above, that this should be taken as a wee bit of fun and enjoyed as a mixing whisky. I went that stage further and pulled out a wee bit of orange bitters and some Sprite… and you know what? With a wee umbrella and ice and a slice, I could see myself relaxing by the pool (obviously not here in Scotland; I’ll be in Spain relaxing in the sun, whilst renting my house out to some Americans who want to come here and enjoy Scotland and its distilleries). So yeah, this is no Heaven on Earth whisky, but if you go about it with the knowledge that it is what it is, then I think it has a place… on the pool side bar. Score: 4/10 In 2015 it was assessed that 80% of Scotland’s food and drink overseas export was taken up by Scotch! Impacting on approximately 200 overseas markets, with France then the USA topping the tables, that’s one single item – OK, yes, from over 140 producers – but still it’s just whisky. So, continuing to look (as I have been) at some entry level drams, and because I mentioned the distillery above, I’m going to have a wee peek at what I would actually consider a “fun dram.” What’s that? Well, it’s a whisky that I think is maybe just that: it’s something not to be taken too seriously, but still enjoyed in the right way. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof.

Recommendations

Appearance: There is no appreciable difference in color between Caribbean Reserve or Founder’s Reserve or The Glenlivet 12. The coloring in all three is due to E150a. This additive colorant gives a “golden” hue to each of these pours, which has been fined tuned into a pleasing color for those who don’t really know the difference between real and fake when it comes to Scotch.