If you didn’t know it already, legally all Scotch whisky must be matured in oak barrels for at least three years. It’s just that the type of oak is up the distillers. American oak in the form of ex-bourbon casks is arguably the most common, but it isn’t the only oak used.
Some distillers age or finish their whiskies in ex-sherry and sherry-season barrels, wine barrels, and some even use barrels that previously held rum. While we could get into all of the different barrels and their pros and cons, today is all about the latter.
In my decades of writing about alcohol, I’ve imbibed countless drams of single malt and blended Scotch whisky. I’ve tried in aged and finished in a variety of barrels, and I can safely say that rum barrels just might be my favorite.
Why mature whisky in ex-rum barrels?
There are many reasons why Scotch whisky distillers choose to age or finish their expressions in barrels that formerly aged rum. It adds a variety of flavors, including caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, coconut, bananas, tropical fruits, and island spices.
The best Scotch whiskies for fans of rum
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about the appeal of aging Scotch whisky in ex-rum casks, it’s time to find some expressions to add to your home bar cart. Below, you’ll find our favorite single malt Scotch whiskies and blended Scotch whiskies for rum fans. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth Whisky
This blended Scotch whisky is a marriage of single malts and grain whiskies. Matured for at least 8 years, it was finished in Caribbean rum casks. The result is a complex, memorable whisky that begins with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, and tropical fruits. Sipping it reveals notes of ripe pineapple, sticky toffee, toasted coconut, chocolate, and oak. The finish is warm, sweet, and ends with notes of caramel and tropical fruits.
The Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask
If you only purchase one bottle from this list, make it Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask. Initially matured in traditional oak barrels for a minimum of fourteen years, it’s finished in casks that previously held a blend of West Indian rum crafted by Balvenie malt master David C. Stewart. The result is a multi-layered whisky that begins with scents of pineapple, tropical fruits, and butterscotch. The palate is centered on orchard fruits, candied orange peels, toffee, vanilla, and oak. The finish is long, lingering, and ends with a final flourish of vanilla sweetness.
Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish
This epic expression is called “Double Cask” because it’s first matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in first-fill Guyanese Demerara rum barrels. This creates a unique, sublime whisky that begins with a nose of salted caramel, ocean brine, brown sugar, and tropical fruits. One sip and you’ll be immersed in a world of molasses cookies, caramelized sugar, pineapple, coconut, banana, stone fruits, and oak. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of baking spices and salted caramel.
