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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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November 17, 2024
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A phrase of warning
Let me please remind you that my humble assessments of any spirits are completed from the standpoint of a malt whisky fanatic who, what’s extra, is aboslutely not an knowledgeable in rum, brandy, tequila, vodka, gin or another spirits. Thanks – and peace! |
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A Few Extra Rums from Colombia to Jamaica
90% of the rums we style are distinctive, which may falsely create the impression that rum, usually, is superior to whisky. For this reason we make a degree of additionally tasting, as typically as doable, very ‘industrial’ rums, normally as an aperitif. Like this one…
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Coloma 8 yo (40%, OB, Colombia, +/-2023) 
We had tasted this one about eight years in the past, and again then it was exceedingly candy (WF 50). Nonetheless, hope springs everlasting, as one may say, particularly if one believes within the fixed ahead march of humanity (proper?). Color: gold. Nostril: molasses honey, caramel, and a few considerably nice hints of real honey (crafted by precise bees, six legs, 4 wings and all). By the best way, ever puzzled find out how to inform an insect from the bee household aside from a fly? Flies have two wings, whereas bees sport 4. Sure, I’m padding a bit right here, as there’s not an incredible deal to say about this modest rum. Mouth: full of sugar. Espresso liqueur, sugarcane syrup. To its credit score, it does no less than carry a touch of sugarcane. End: brief, with some tannins and powdered espresso. Feedback: I’m in step with my former impressions. You’d want huge quantities of ice to courageous this drink with out flinching.
SGP:830 – 50 factors. |
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Indonesia 8 yo 2015/2024 (59.9%, LMDW Flag Sequence, 195 bottles) 
Molasses distilled in pot stills. I suppose one may simply as properly name this a ‘Batavia Arrack’. Color: gold. Nostril: it’s fairly distinctive, opening with notes of rain-soaked gravel and a contact of saltpetre, earlier than revealing contemporary sugarcane and high quality inexperienced tea. There’s a refined trace of cider vinegar and sage, maybe. The very excessive ABV could also be holding it again considerably. With water: brimming with uncommon herbs, virtually like these present in natural liqueurs. Image a chartreuse with not a single gram of sugar. A contact of forest flooring. Mouth (neat): uncommon once more, barely lemony and vinegary, but additionally exhibiting hydrocarbons, varnish, and even a contact of shellfish. I guarantee you. With water: comparable impressions of an herb mix, with coriander, basil, sage, bay leaf, lemon mint… End: pretty lengthy, contemporary, and with extra aniseed. Feedback: genuinely a distinct type. Price discovering.
SGP:461 – 84 factors. |
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Trinidad Distillers Restricted 13 yo 2009/2023 (58%, Dràm Mor, Trinidad, bourbon, cask #2, 305 bottles) 
Over time, we’ve discovered that, very similar to Caroni, TDL showcases varied kinds, starting from fruity powerhouses to spirits laden with esters, tar, and… diesel gas. Color: darkish gold. Nostril: we’re in considerably of a center floor right here—it’s neither mango eau-de-vie nor North Sea crude oil (nor American fracking output). Let’s see what water brings… With water: pleasant damp earth, a stroll by an eucalyptus forest, and a contact of contemporary rubber. Mouth (neat): wonderful! Saltier and tarrier, with an explosion of salted liquorice on the forefront. With water: excellent, saline and lemony, nonetheless brimming with hefty doses of liquorice, tar, rubber, and pepper. End: lengthy, pretty dry, dominated by salmiak and a touch of varnish. Feedback: in the event that they’ve used this cask, as soon as emptied, to complete whiskies, it’s sure to be explosive! Not overly advanced, however completely wonderful. And £70 on launch.
SGP:563 – 87 factors. |
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Let’s have a look at the distinction with Caroni (any excuse will do, actually) …
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Caroni 1995/2022 (62.9%, The Colors of Rum, Trinidad, N°4, 250 bottles, 163 bottles) 
A mix of contrasts, matured 11 years in ex-rum casks on-site earlier than spending 12 extra years in Europe inside an ex-whisky cask. That final half apart, this could maintain all of the quintessential Caroni markers. Color: deep gold. Nostril: not vastly dissimilar to others, but right here we discover a good stronger hit of petrol and adhesive, notably highly effective at this hanging ABV. Hints of anti-rust paint and carbolineum lend an industrial edge. With water: icy mint and high-quality polish come ahead. Mouth (neat): surprisingly fermentative with an sudden contact of aged cheeses like Mimolette and Parmesan; the excessive ABV does distort issues a contact. With water: salted liquorice returns, alongside a refreshing squeeze of lemon juice and a grassy contact. This one’s no laughing matter. End: exceptionally lengthy, turning a bit medicinal with a lingering interaction of black pepper, paint, and sea salt. Feedback: undoubtedly splendid, although barely extreme and only a contact difficult.
SGP:463 – 89 factors. |
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I really feel like tasting this…
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Black Rock 2000/2012 (57.7%, L’Esprit, Barbados, bourbon, cask #2, 100 bottles)
This younger rum comes from the West India Rum Distillery, also referred to as WIRD, bottled earlier than its acquisition by Maison Ferrand. Color: white wine. Nostril: unmistakably pot nonetheless, with beautiful notes of oil paint and turpentine, complemented by uncommon hints of seeds—presumably soybeans? Positively caraway. Uncommon and charming at this stage. Why hadn’t I attempted this sooner? (Lazy Whiskyfun…) With water: features a barely metallic be aware, so warning with dilution, however rewarded with splendid tangerine aromas. Mouth (neat): excellent and distinctive, sitting between artisanal pastis and mustard, one thing that may even swimsuit sushi. With water: be sparing; it turns soapy simply. Nonetheless, these nice tangerine and chen-pi notes reappear. End: lengthy, elegant, and nonetheless fairly distinctive, with caraway and anise lending a refreshing contact. Feedback: extra delicate than BlackRock, and genuinely excellent.
SGP: 462 – 88 factors. |
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Uitvlugt 33 yo 1990/2024 (51.3%, Decadent Drinks, Rum Sponge, Guyana, refill rum barrel, Ed.26, 182 bottles) 
This rum, early landed, spent most of its ageing time in Europe, which does embrace the UK. Color: straw. Nostril: an intriguing mixture of candy crab, tarragon, kumquats, shoe polish, lanoline, and a touch of yuzu. It’s begun to ‘decompose’ in essentially the most optimistic method, that means the rougher, heavier parts (which we do respect) are evolving into subtler, extra refined tones—very similar to a 30-year-old Islay, if you’ll. With water: the complete spectrum of shoe polishes emerges, from essentially the most subtle (match for John Lobb) to the extra rugged (match for the sector). Mouth (neat): magnificent and traditional, with the wooden imparting loads of conifer resins whereas sustaining magnificence. A lemony, saline liquorice underpins the profile, supported by notes of olives and tar. With water: ethereal, mentholated citrus seems, and that pleasant previous natural liqueur high quality shines by—gentian included. End: not immensely lengthy, however truthful for its 33 years, forsaking a splendid lemony salinity. Feedback: merely an incredible spirit, almost akin to a a lot aged, say Caol Ila.
SGP: 562 – 91 factors. |
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Right here you go, a younger one, simply to see…
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Guyana Rum 12 yo 2011/2024 ‘MDB2M’ (57.1%, Watt Whisky, Scotch whisky barrel, 264 bottles)
From Diamond, clearly. Color: deep gold. Nostril: this can be a slightly fruit-forward Guyanese, bursting with ripe papayas, bananas, and candy apples, with sugarcane syrup and a contact of orange juice taking part in softly within the background. It doesn’t appear to stem from a kind of legendary previous stills collected at Diamond, however then once more, one might be mistaken. It leans extra in the direction of a ‘grain’ profile than a ‘malt’, in the event you catch my drift. Nonetheless, it’s exceedingly nice. With water: aromas of heat brioche and fougasse, with refined hints of liquorice wooden. Mouth (neat): candy and fruity, but strong sufficient, that includes lime and a touch of liquorice. With water: oranges come to the forefront, sharpening the general profile and including a stunning stress. End: medium in size, showcasing sugarcane syrup and orange liqueur, with a whisper of salt within the aftertaste. Feedback: a scrumptious and charming rum, easy-going but distinguished. It holds its personal remarkably properly, even after a 33-year-old Uitvlugt.
SGP:541 – 85 factors. |
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Hampden Property ‘1753’ (46%, OB, 12,000 bottles, 2024)
This one’s an HLCF. Whereas I’m not an enormous advocate for prominently displayed ‘classic’ years that stretch the creativeness (although it’s frequent apply among the many Scots and the Japanese too), Hampden can do what it pleases and rightly so. Naturally, the rational thoughts is aware of 1753 isn’t the classic right here, however advertising has by no means been aimed on the rational thoughts, has it? Sufficient musings—on we go… Color: gentle gold. Nostril: oh sure, undoubtedly, unmistakably, indisputably Hampden at its most interesting. Mouth: tar, ashes, liquorice, rotting bananas, olives, with a cheeky sip of riesling to tie it collectively. However after all. End: lengthy, saline, maritime, tar-laden. These olives linger superbly within the aftertaste. Feedback: remarkably contemporary for a 1753 (oh, how droll!). In all seriousness, it’s flawless and excellent worth at 60€. Thank goodness for the beneficiant 12,000 bottles. Suppose Ardbeg 10, Springbank 10—reduce from the identical material.
SGP:464 – 89 factors. |
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Monymusk 23 yo 1998/2022 ‘MBK’ (57.1%, Relaxation & Be Grateful, Jamaica, American oak barrel, 205 bottles)
This seems to be a low-ester Monymusk, with the ‘MBK’ designation suggesting simply that. Proper then… Color: pale gold. Nostril: you’ll by no means discover full absence of carbon, tar, or varnish in these Jamaicans, however right here we’re removed from pure acetone. Inexperienced apples and underripe bananas, white asparagus, a whisper of oyster sauce, pine needles, after which merely a platter of a dozen oysters with seaweed and lemon. Reality be advised, it’s a stunningly advanced nostril. With water: low tide in Brittany, in the event you like. Mouth (neat): distinctive. Time to summon the Anti-Rumporn Brigade. Sea water, a good grüner veltliner, lemon, gently smoked oysters, ashes… Proof certainly that it’s not all about esters, because the content material right here is claimed to be round 75 grams per HLPA – barely something. With water: marvellous, although do thoughts the water; an excessive amount of and it swiftly loses its spark. End: slightly lengthy, maybe not its most show-stopping side. It loses a degree – dura lex, sed lex. Feedback: a bit gem, one I ought to have sampled sooner. If solely we had extra tasting slots…
SGP:462 – 90 factors. |
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 Verify the index of all rums we have tasted to this point
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