Oldman Spirits presents 4 new releases within the Flensburg Rum Firm sequence that helps the Sea Shepherd organisation. 4 rums from everywhere in the world, beginning with an Ecuador 2015.
Rum from Ecuador is reasonably uncommon. This one comes from an idyllic hacienda which is now not in operation. It’s sugar cane juice rum, 100% pot nonetheless and unsweetened. FRC launched a few these casks prior to now, at completely different ages.
Ecuador 8 yo 2015 (47,2%, Flensburg Rum Firm 2024, medium toast American oak, 244 btl.)
Nostril: begins in a properly industrial manner, with new plastics, dried mint leaves, black olives and loads of natural notes. Jogs my memory of some Lengthy Pond and Hampden at occasions. A mineral facet as effectively. Then lemony sourness beneath, in addition to inexperienced apple, inexperienced banana and fermented pineapple. Extra intense than the ABV would recommend.
Mouth: the dried herbs (aniseed, black pepper, caraway) together with olive brine and overripe tropical fruits. Some estery acetic acid and hints of acetone. Then some wooden seems, together with a caramelly word and vanilla, rounding off the sides and higlighting the fruitiness. Even a lightweight trace of honey.
End: lengthy, reasonably spicy, with pepper and peppermint, and a obscure trace of nougat and wooden within the background.
A pleasant shock. Ecuador is probably not the primary nation we consider with regards to artisan rums, however right here’s a fantastic estery instance. Not probably the most advanced dram on the palate, however a wide variety.
The Brazil 2011 is constructed from molasses and sugarcane juice. It matured in an area Amburana wooden cask earlier than transferring to a traditional bourbon cask as soon as it arrived in Europe.
Brazil 13 yo 2011 (55,5%, Flensburg Rum Firm 2024, Amburana cask + bourbon end, 234 btl.)
Nostril: begins on sugar cane with aniseed, faint leather-based and light-weight nutty notes. A vegetal / grassy theme beneath, in addition to mild citrusy sharpness, varnish and tangy apricot within the background – even a whiff of vinegar. Fairly sharp, though there’s a butterscotch sweetness too.
Mouth: nonetheless a giant vegetal facet, blended with this funky sharpness. Inexperienced pineapple, loads of fragrant (star) anise notes and liquorice. Then allspice and hints of lemon grass and lemon zest. Inexperienced tobacco leaves too, in addition to resinous touches.
End: medium size, fairly peppery, grassy and lemony, nonetheless exhibiting this large trace of anise.
We already knew Amburana wooden can result in distinctive outcomes. On this case the fragrant anise facet is sort of spectacular. The grassy sharpness makes it much less to my liking, however when you suppose you’ve seen all of it, this fascinating rum could also be price your consideration. Rating: 82/100
Fiji 14 yo 2009 (65%, Flensburg Rum Firm 2024, rum barrel, 206 btl.)
Nostril: ester galore, with engine oil and plastics, lemon yoghurt and hints of bitter almond. Tangy marmalade, some inexperienced banana and dried botanicals. Then loads of glue and polish too, together with some pencil shavings. Actually compact and intense.
Mouth: nonetheless actually funky, with a barely artificial component and an aggressive alcohol sensation. Kerosene? Mezcally rubber, anise and floral touches. Then again to inexperienced bananas, unripe gooseberries and sharp pineapple, together with salty liquorice, gherkin brine and resinous bitters.
End: lengthy, salty and petroly, with loads of tarry notes and polish.
A pleasant ester bomb from South Pacific distillery, though it’s maybe somewhat too ferocious. Completely excessive and really Jamaican in that sense. One among these bottles you retain in your cabinet to shock (or scare) your pals. Rating: 85/100
The final one is a Jamaican rum with a LROK marque. This will solely imply Hampden Property, if we’re not mistaken. Esters must be between 200 and 400 g/hlpa. This rum obtained an Oloroso end.
Jamaica 5 yo 2018 LROK (67,5%, Flensburg Rum Firm 2024, first fill Oloroso hogshead, 311 btl.)
Nostril: fruity, with loads of caramelized bananas trailed by vanilla and roasted pineapple. Then some crimson berries and sultanas maybe, with the bitter facet of a younger Oloroso. The sherry affect is clearly noticeable and effectively built-in. Basic Jamaican markers like rubber, black olives and glue too, after all.
Mouth: comparable remarks. It’s positively a great Hampden, simply barely smoothened by the sherry. Right here as effectively the bananas flambéed stand out, together with some mango sweet. Then again to liquorice, loads of esters and a little bit of wooden. Some pink grapefruit bitterness and pickled gherkins in the long run.
End: lengthy, with extra bitterness, saltiness and resinous notes. Extra austere now, dropping a number of the sherry affect.
Fairly a profitable marriage. The standard Jamaican austerity is rounded off just a bit. We’ve a winner, and it affords superb worth for cash too. Rating: 89/100
