The idea behind these two Guyana Cats by Treasured Liquors depends on two distinct kinds of Demerara rums. White Cat is the lighter fashion from Diamond distillery, increased in alcohol however largely providing gentle flavours. However we now have Black Cat, a heavy fashion of Demerara rum. This specific rum was distilled with the Versailles nonetheless over the past 12 months of operation of Enmore distillery.
Diamond 27 yo 1996 ‘White Cat’ (53,3%, Treasured Liquors 2023, cask #3, 167 btl.)
Nostril: a light wooden affect at first, with some vanilla and white pepper, together with some citrus oil and mild fruity notes like apricots and stewed apples. Some dried grasses and hints of leather-based within the background, in addition to natural tea. Fairly a light-weight and heady fashion, though the ABV makes it fairly punchy too.
Mouth: fairly clean and slender, just like business expressions of Guyana rum, albeit at a better energy. Huge hints of vanilla, with honeyed notes and brown sugar. Cinnamon and pepper. Then orange liqueur earlier than it will get slightly extra funky with some oily but additionally spirity notes. By no means actually estery, thoughts you.
End: medium size, nonetheless barely slender. Imprecise wooden spices with caramel sweetness.
That is in all probability a bit extra on the business aspect, for my part, though you don’t actually get official El Dorado of this age and energy. Maybe slightly underwhelming as a person impartial bottling, however I’m positive it serves as an ideal baseline for the following one. Obtainable from Treasured Drops.
Only a fast historical past of Guyana rum: within the Nineteen Seventies solely three distilleries remained (from over 300 at one level): Diamond, Enmore and Uitvlugt. Diamond and Uitvlugt merged in 1983, buying numerous stills. The Versailles nonetheless was moved from the Versailles Property to Enmore in 1977. Nevertheless Enmore closed in 1993, so the nonetheless was moved to Uitvlugt. Then in 2000 Uitvlugt closed and the nonetheless ended up at Diamond distillery – now the final remaining property in Guyana.
Enmore 29 yo 1994 REV ‘Black Cat’ (49,2%, Treasured Liquors 2023, cask #65, 205 btl.)
Nostril: far more prefer it. A heavy fashion with loads of darkish plums, anise and liquorice, in addition to tobacco notes. Loads of resinous notes and tar. Then smoky cigar containers, black tea, outdated leather-based and medicinal notes like camphor. Hints of espresso beans too.
Mouth: very darkish and intense flavours once more. Espresso beans and darkish chocolate, in addition to darkish brewed natural tea. Some rubbery notes. Then hints of bitters, extra leather-based and tar. Mint, a contact of ammonia and perhaps one salted anchovy. Properly medicinal.
End: lengthy, mentholated, with oolong tea, black pepper, salty liquorice and flashes of citrus oils.
As anticipated, just about the other of the white cat. A natural elixir, darkish and brooding, with glorious complexity. Rating: 91/100
