Another nod of thanks to Rob Martin for supplying me with this sample of the new Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, the no-age-statement rum-cask-finished variant of Glenlivet. Bottled at 40% (c'mon Glenlivet!), probably colored, probably chill filtered. I am not a giant fan of rum finished whiskies, but I'm willing to give this a fair shake. Let's see how it does.
Nose: Decently rich! Rum is certainly present on the nose here, but not overbearingly so. Alongside the rum is banana and apple - as you might expect. It's actually quite an enticing nose, all things considered. Heady.
Mouthfeel: Medium body.
Palate: Ah. Here is where the wheels come off. Very little body or character to the palate development - sweet malt sugar, toffee, banana, toast, maybe pineapple (rum). Mere flecks of coconut. Perhaps some of the sweetness is molasses? That's about it. Very short, very sweet, and not very satisfying. I know that seems like quite a cast of characters, but all the flavors are the thin and watery side. Nothing really punches at you.
Finish: Smooth, easy, and brief. Like the standard Glenlivet expressions, the finish is a little weak. On the other hand, it's not offensive either.
Verdict: This whisky is like a certain variety of racehorse - starts strong, even a frontrunner! Then stumbles and fades a bit in the middle scrum. Ends up coming in 13th out of 15 by the finish line. The no-age-statement Caribbean Reserve has a wonderful, rich, banana-and-rum nose that I really savored. The moment it enters your mouth, though, things fall apart - the center cannot hold - mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. The palate is thin, and the finish dies so quickly. If you find this on sale for, say, $30 ... no harm in it. Any more than that, I would seriously consider one of the better blends instead.
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