Top 4 Whiskies Aged and Finished in Rum Casks

While a fine single malt whisky is always going to be my go-to tipple after a long week, I must admit that I am partial to nice rum every now and then. On a sunny day, a demerara rum served neat over ice, or a spiced rum and cola definitely takes some beating.

Now, you might be wondering why I’m talking about rum when it’s whisky we deal in here at Great Drams. Well, don’t worry, there’s a reason for it and that reason is the fact that rum cask-aged whisky is quickly becoming as popular as it is delicious.

Typically, we think of bourbon and sherry casks when it comes to aging whisky. But don’t count out the power of a rum-cask aged whisky. Aging whisky in a rum cask is a great way to impart the sweet and spicy notes commonly associated with rum.

If, like me, you’re a fan of both whisky and rum, here are 4 top whiskies aged in rum casks you simply have to try.

Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish

First, we’re heading over to Campbeltown to the Glen Scotia distillery, which dates back to 1815.

First, the distillery aged their trademark single-malt whisky in ex-Bourbon barrels before transferring it to first-fill ex-Guyanese demerara rum casks for an additional finishing period.

The use of rum casks isn’t just to give a delicious flavour, but it also has a very historical significance as well. You see, the distillery has records which date back to 1815. These records show that rum casks were once present in the distillery. This is a nice little nod to its heritage.

As you might expect, this whisky is heavy on the tropical fruit and sugary notes you’d expect from a Caribbean rum. There are charred pineapple notes, sticky molasses, demerara sugar, and caramelised banana. The Scottish influence comes in the form of sea breeze and sea salt, all tied together with just the right balance of baking spices and sweet oaked vanilla.

I must admit, for a rum-cask finished dram, I expected this whisky to be a much darker colour. Nevertheless, the pale golden straw colour really helps it to stand out.

Great Drams Rare Cask Series Craigellachie 7 Year Old Ex-Rum Cask

Not to toot our own horn, but our Great Drams Rare Cask Series Super Limited Edition Cask Ends have proved incredibly popular with our fantastic customers.

These bottles of whisky are incredibly rare, due to the fact that we will only release six of each at any one time. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

As part of our Great Drams Rare Cask Series we have the fantastic 7 year old Craigellachie ex-rum cask. Our previous rum-cask finished whisky, which incidentally was also a Craigellachie, proved to be a huge hit and quickly sold out. It was our first use of a rum cask in both maturation and finishing, and, provided amazing body and character with an unforgettable sweetness. It’s very much of the same here, and a whole lot more on top.

The whisky has deep fruity and spicy aromas with a sugary, malty sweetness heavy on the toffee and tropical fruits. There’s also a light charred oaky finish, coupled with cinnamon sugar and vanilla. If you do fancy a bottle, you’ll have to act fast as there are only a few remaining.

Sailor’s Home Caravelle 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey

It isn’t just Scotch that can benefit from the influence of a fine rum cask, Irish whiskey also works very well if done right, as evident with this next tipple.

From the team over at Sailor’s Home, as part of their Islands Series, Caravelle is a 10-year-old malt and grain Irish whiskey aged in bourbon barrels, before undergoing a finishing period in Rhum Agricole casks from Martinique.

The second release in their Islands Series, the whiskey has been expertly infused with the flavours of tropical Caribbean rum, coupled with the unmistakable smoothness of a quality Irish whiskey. The whiskey is named after the sailing ship which explored the Caribbean island of Martinique back in the 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th century.

Expect warm fruity and spicy notes on the nose, balanced perfectly with malty flavours. There’s more than a hint of brown sugar here, along with bonfire toffee, burnt orange, vanilla oak, banana topped pancakes, and golden straw.

Smokehead Rum Rebel Whisky

For those who appreciate a peated Islay whisky heavy on the smoke, as well as a ridiculously cool skull label (more on whisky labels in another blog, so watch this space) Smokehead Rum Rebel Whisky is ideal.

This dram is shrouded in mystery as it is derived from an undisclosed distillery and finished in ex-Caribbean rum casks. It’s sweet, salty, and smoky and tastes of the sea! What’s not to love?

As you might expect of an Islay expression, it’s heavy on the smoke, along with hints of sea breeze, seaweed, and toasted tropical fruits. There’s also plenty of salted caramel, pineapple and mango sorbet, and roasted mandarin orange. The finish is lengthy and leaves you with Cornish clotted cream ice cream and the smouldering smoky remains of a coastal BBQ. Now I want to visit the coast!

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or treat yourself to a quality dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Rum Caskswhiskies

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.