Review: The Glenlivet Jamaica Edition, Treasure Beach 12 Years Old

The Glenlivet is kicking off a new, annual series of releases dubbed Beyond Speyside. As the name suggests, the line will focus on whiskies “inspired by destinations from around the world.” A first stop on that promised global tour is Jamaica. At least, it’s a taste of Jamaica, in this case represented by rum cask-finished single malt.

The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Jamaica Edition, Treasure Beach takes the distillery’s nearly ubiquitous 12 year single malt and finishes it in a series of casks that previously held Jamaican rum. Both the finishing time and cask sourcing are undisclosed, though brand reps suggest the barrels originally held “a high-ester rum.” (The same casks are used to finish The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, albeit in different ratios.)

The rum-finished Scotch is bottled at 80 proof. Let’s see how it tastes.

The Glenlivet Jamaica Edition, Treasure Beach 12 Years Old Review

The whisky noses a tick above 80 proof throughout, and the first aromas lead with ripe tropical fruits; early signs certainly evoke the tropics, in a clear line with brand goals here. Guava and overripe pineapple are followed by papaya and a little dragon fruit. Pressed sugarcane and a bit of earthy, vegetal funk round things out, with another element of oak spice bookending the scents. It’s got a nice — dare we say equatorial? — composition out of the gate, but it never quite builds in complexity as much as I hoped at an initial sniff. Still, and especially for an 80-proofer, we’re checking some important boxes on the syllabus.

First sips are lightly sweet and fruity, like simple syrup infused with pineapple and guava. It carries decent viscosity for 80 proof, which allows the fruit to stick around the tongue and gradually transition to woodier, oak-forward sweetness by the midpalate. Things then move to caramel drizzle and pineapple upside down cake, but with a touch of tannins that add some moderately unexpected yet very welcome balance; a little astringency can be a friend indeed. There’s a noticeable pop of orchard fruit on the midpalate, a bit like green apple candy, followed by a quick drop off into some light oak sugars.

The finish is creamy and sweet, but it takes a little time — and more than a couple sips — to reveal much in the way of intricacies. Eventually, one detects caramel sweetness, vanilla, and fruit juice (mostly pineapple). Overall, this is a decent twist on a very classic dram, even if it feels the brand played things a bit safe.

80 proof.

B / $55 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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