🥃Review #14 Dewar's Caribbean Smooth Blended Scotch

Post Review Image of Dewar's Caribbean Smooth sitting on a table

I am a massive fan of The Balvenie's 14 Yr Caribbean Cask Single Malt but it does set you back $89.99, a fine price for Scotch but well outside my everyday bourbon budget. At the other end of the spectrum, Dewar's White Label (our review here) might be at the spot of being the cheapest and most drinkable scotch out there, so I was understandably intrigued when they released a Caribbean rum barrel finished version with an 8-year age statement.. If we know anything in this world, it's that you seldom get something for nothing, so I am forced to ask: is it any good?

📚Background: First Released in 2019, this bottle sees a base blend of whiskies aged at least eight years put to bed in the aforementioned rum casks for four to six months. If it works as intended, this second aging should add additional sweetness, potentially some fruity notes, or maybe even spiciness depending on the char level and rum aged in the barrel. I would note that the 500+ gold metals claimed on the bottle labeling is for the Dewar's brand in it's entirety, not this particular bottle. The World Whiskies Awards gave Dewar's Caribbean Smooth a bronze metal in 2022 and 2023.

🛒Sourced: $24.99 Tower Spirits - ATL, GA

🧪Proof: 80, 40% ABV

🥔Mash Bill: A Blend of up to 40 Single Malt Scotches which are 100% malted barley and grain Whiskies which can be made from anything (wheat/corn/rye/etc). Based on the price point, this likely has a goodly proportion of the cheaper to make grain whiskies and a less goodly portion of single malt scotch. If anyone can pull it off, Dewar's is the time honored master of this technique.

👃Nose: Very mild, 1st nose is alcohol forward, 2nd nose has faint smoke and sweet undertones. Very similar to regular Dewar's white label. Relatively flat. Nothing additional noted on third sniff.

😜Palate: The waft of smoke is tangible, opening up into a sweet and approachable mouthfeel. Smooth and docile, you can hold it on your tongue as long as you like with no ill course. Didn't get as much vanilla as I'm used to in older Dewar's offerings.

💦Finish: Swallow and you get more of the mild peat and some honey. Much to my surprise there is some citrus fruit (tropical theme makes me want to say pineapple) midway through the finish. Took me a few sips to notice it but now I get that burst of fruity flavor every time.

🏆 Overall: 5/10 - Good, just fine - Dewar's Caribbean smooth is an approachable dram at an even more approachable price point. There is always a question with cask finishing as to whether or not the extra time in the second barrel makes a noticeable difference, and here I can say we're likely in gimmick land. Though we looked for rum with the rapacious dedication of Captain Jack, I could find nary a trace of rum. The nugget of citrus flavor on the finish is a lovely editorial change, but however you feel about White Label, I suspect you will likely feel similarly about this bottle. That being said, I quite like WL and consequently will be quite happy to polish off this edition as well. Caribbean smooth is drinkable and has some little surprises to explore, but for a few bucks more you can have a handle of WL. Try it if you're interested in collecting all the Dewar's variations, otherwise save for The Balvenie for Caribbean cask flavors.

Merchant Image of Dewar's Caribbean Smooth on a shelf with bottle, box, and glass

💵Would buy again? No, White Label is better for the money. Worth trying once.

⚖️Rating Scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I'd rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

🥃📰 First Look: NEW Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

In a TTB filing , Heaven Hill soft announces a new Old Fitzgerald edition whiskey: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year Bourbon. The Old Fitzgerald decanter line has long been a coveted edition, but low supply and high demand means that it is terribly hard to find, particularly for anything close to suggested retail price. Official press from the distiller has not yet occurred, but we have put together the following details. About Old Fitzgerald From Heaven Hill's wheated mash bill (68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Barley), the Old Fitzgerald decanter series is a Bottled-in-Bond offering released twice annually. This mash bill is also likely shared by the Larceny series of products, all aged in #3 char barrels. Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond credit @Bourbonconky posted on X.com by Bourb Your Enthusiasm The new product will have a seven year age statement, and per the bottled-in-bond act will consist of bourbon produced by Heaven Hill wit...

🥃Review #30: Kirkland Bourbon Casked Rum XO

XO stands for "Extra Old" but how does this bottle of Bourbon Casked Rum from Costco's Kirkland Signature line measure up? 📚 Background: Finished in used Cognac barrels, this bottle is a product of Guatemala, imported for Costco by MISA IMPORTS out of Dallas Texas. MISA, named after the founder's children Michael and Sarah, started primarily as a sourcing partner for fine wines, but has since expanded operations into sourcing spirits. MISA's rum brand partners include 1731 , Autentico Nativo , and Navy Island. We would have to guess the maker if not for the back label which clearly identifies one Olivier Dumont, Master Blender. Mr. Dumont works for Les Bienheureux , a French company growing at an alarming rate that has both a foothold in French Whisky and Costa Rican Rum. Les Bienheureux is the company behind "El Pasador De Oro " (roughly translated as "Gold Pin") which has two widely available iterations. The XO version retails for $46.99 a...

🍺🍷🥃 Beer, Wine, and Spirits Rebate Website Master List

If there is anything I love more than a good drink, it's saving money buying that good drink! The rules for providing discounts on alcohol differ substantially between states with some allowing outright discounts or coupons and others entirely disallowing any sort of purchase incentive. Thankfully though, in my native Georgia as well as most states, a simple reimbursement approach is permissible. Alcohol Rebate Site Master List The following sites are relatively stable for each manufacturer. New offers usually come out every few months. None of these are affiliate links and I provide no assurance as to the process. I have saved so much money using rebates and hope you have similar success. Best practices and general process advice will be presented at the bottom. New sites will be added as I uncover them. Beer Rebates Boston Beer Company Brands - Angry Orchard, Dogfish head, Hard Mountain Dew, Samuel Adams, Sun Crusher, Truly, and Twisted Tea. Some brands may not have active...

🥃 Review #40: Kirkland Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2024)

Like Costco's other Scotches, the Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt is bottled for Alexander Murray and imported by MISA Imports after being distilled and aged in Scotland (TTB.gov plant registry TX-I-1277). The isle of Islay is one of the southern most islands in Scotland and is one of the five whisky regions ensconced in law. There are only nine active distilleries on the island, and the Islay style is typified by strong peat or smoky flavors. As a single malt, we know that the juice in this bottle comes entirely from one of those nine! All of the distilleries are significantly smaller than Glenlivet and many of the mainland producers. Taste testing has people split between Caol Illa, Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte), and Bunnahabhain as being the source. Caol Illa and Laphroig both have done deals for private brand scotch without rights to name the source distillery, but Laphroig does not match the flavor profile for this bottle. Realistically, Caol Illa is the most likely cand...

🥃Review #53: Costco's Kirkland 15YR Highland Single Malt Scotch - 2025

The 2025 release of Costco's Kirkland 15-year Highland Scotch hit shelves in late January and is a recurring installment on an annual cadence. The first pallet to hit my local store sold out almost immediately. Thankfully, we got two more shipments at one pallet each that hung around a bit longer and I was able to snag a bottle. Like in previous years, this Highland Scotch is finished in sherry casks. Alexander Murray & Co. is the bottler with MISA imports out of Texas bringing it to the States for consumption (Costco's standard sourcing pattern for Scotch). The bottle has a nice heft to it and there is an ensconced Alexander Murray Lion adding some nice texture to the front of the bottle. Steve Lipp, CEO of Alexander Murray, calls it "Perfect for after dinner drinking." All-in-all, this shows an attempt to elevate the product and presentation from the ubiquitous blends and non-age stated iterations you'll sometimes find under the Kirkland label. Neither Alex...

Castle & Cairn

Search This Blog