🥃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.

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