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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (nearly) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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February 27, 2022
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A tanker of rum for Ukraine
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| Fairly. There’s extra pouring in, which I discover each charming and difficult, since there’s just one Sunday per week. Bah we won’t attempt all the pieces anyway, so stress stays relative (so long as our dearest mates do not preserve asking ‘when are you going to style our gorgeous Ron de la Revolucion that we mailed you seven years in the past?’…) Bah, let’s have a look at what we’ll have in the present day… This for our Ukrainian mates, after all. |
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Conde de Cuba 15 yo ‘Additional Anejo’ (38%, OB, Cuba, +/-2018) 
A really weird semi-circular bottle that I had by no means seen whereas on location. The 38% do not bode too nicely both, however let’s have a look at… Color: deep gold. Nostril: slightly curiously, it will begin like some younger rancio wine, with some sort of ‘grapeyness’ and definitely whiffs of previous wine cellar, previous barrels, previous wooden, molasses, sherry vinegar… Then slightly peach jam, bitter fig and onion chutney, then simply café latte and chocolate. Fairly nostril, I’ve to say. Mouth: actually not disagreeable, with apparent notes of coffee-schnapps and liquorice within the arrival, nevertheless it’s quickly to lose steam and fall flat, so to talk. End: very brief. Traces of oranges, espresso and chocolate. Feedback: one to sip on the Buena Vista membership whereas smoking an area puro. Not unhealthy in any respect, quite the opposite, nevertheless it’s actually very gentle and irritating.
SGP:230 – 78 factors |
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Chairman’s Reserve 21 yo 1999/2021 (66.5%, OB, St. Lucia, Mads Heitmann for Romhatten Cask Choice #5, ex-bourbon, cask #108011999, 229 bottles) 
This child was distilled within the John Dore 1 double retort pot nonetheless. It’s totally attention-grabbing to be taught that they have been ullaging it (a.ok.a. consolidating) each two years utilizing sister barrels. Color: reddish amber. Nostril: as anticipated, begins with lots of varnish and acetone, contemporary pine sawdust and linoleum, earlier than it will get sort of agricole, very advanced, cane-y, with luggage of walnuts and rotting bananas, in addition to a little bit diesel oil and pine sap… Curiously approachable. With water: magnificent, that is nearly some nutty previous oloroso. Sure, I’ve seen it was ex-bourbon. Mouth (neat): implausible petroly and piney oak, some varnish once more, truffle essence, uncooked cocoa, then ten tons of salmiak (or salted liquorice). The 66.5% are extremely simple to deal with. With water: in the direction of higher-esters, olives, capers and much more salmiak. End: lengthy, tight, salty and coffeeish. I do know espresso and salt do not get alongside nicely, to place it mildly, however on this case they do. Feedback: terrific rum from St. Lucia Distillers. Good dealing with of some heavy, but very elegant oak.
SGP:363 – 90 factors |
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French Antilles 2019/2021 ‘Virgin Oak’ (50%, 1423 World Class Spirits for rumology.be fifth anniversary, Martinique) 
This one from Le Galion, the final remaining sugar manufacturing unit in Martinique. They make a ‘grand arôme’ from molasses, so not an agricole, however I am unsure this very one is certainly one of them. Color: gentle gold. Nostril: so singular! New rubber boots, cane juice, linoleum once more, a brand new field of cigars, some spent engine oil, crushed sugarcane, some cellulosic varnish… With water: extra olives, kelp, contemporary concrete, rubber… Mouth (neat): nice enjoyable. Pink grapefruits, chilly sorrel soup, olives, rhubarb, drops of seawater, bits of cured ham, plus some slightly estery pineapples and bananas about to begin rotting. That is very lengthy fermentation, I consider as much as 10 days, which creates this quasi-bacterial sort of profile. With water: calms down a little bit bit. Liquorice allsorts, particularly those which might be stuffed with lemon foam (ha). End: lengthy however not invading. Must be nice for making babas. Feedback: I do not know if this qualifies as ‘grand arôme’, nevertheless it’s completely lovable. Our mates the Belgians, once more.
SGP:462 – 89 factors |
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I’ve received an concept, let’s attempt some rum that was bottled at greater than twice the energy of that little Cuban we began this wee session with…
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Saint James ‘Brut de Colonne’ (74.2%, OB, Martinique, Batch #1, 2020) 
This could be a little bit sturdy, however we’re protected as it’s natural. Are we not? Brut de colonne means straight from the column. Colonne créole, naturally, as that is formally agricole. Color: white. Nostril: gorgeous contemporary cane, cane syrup, crushed contemporary almonds, plantains and white asparagus. Wham. With water: grass and, bizarrely, slightly some agave syrup. In any other case contemporary marzipan, inexperienced tea and oyster shells. Mouth (neat – cautious now): lemons, touches of smoked fish, olive oil, icing sugar, cane juice ‘after all’, liquorice allsorts this time once more, and… we’ll cease right here, we’d like our tastebuds thoughts you. With water: feels a bit like some readymade ti’ punch. Pretty citrons and crystallised tangerines. End: lengthy, great, contemporary, even a tad medicinal. Camphor and paraffin, sweetened lemon juice within the aftertaste. Feedback: I discover this fashion superior to Saint James’ ‘Fleur de Cane’. Wonderful white.
SGP:562 – 85 factors |
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Whereas we’re at Saint James…
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Saint-James 15 yo 2006/2021 (47%, OB and Velier, Martinique, Tribute to Jean-Claude Benoit)
Velier and Luca Gargano have been working with Saint James for greater than 46 years. Collectively they’re releasing a sequence of ten totally different vintages to have a good time. Color: amber. Nostril: prime of the agricole model. Roasted nuts, raisins and cane, plus headier flowers (lillies, wisteria) and a few grassy earthiness. Tiny whiffs of fruit compost plus some very nicely mastered oakiness, a wee bit on the piney aspect, which we all the time get pleasure from. Very elegant on the nostril. Mouth: superb. Cedar shavings at first (sucking our pencils at college), then flower jellies and jams (borage, jasmine), a little bit hay-and-mint combine, liquorice wooden, contact of aniseed and verbena, woodruff as nicely… That is each agency and delicate, advanced, extraordinarily interesting and simply lovable. And drinks extraordinarily nicely (typically a handicap certainly). End: lengthy, with this cedarwood that is nonetheless on. The signature could be very earthy/caney, which is beautiful, clearly. Feedback: beautiful choice. We have got a number of vintages however we’ll most likely solely have this one in the present day.
SGP:462 – 91 factors |
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Nicely, no, we’ll have one other one if you happen to do not thoughts. Eenie meenie…
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Saint-James 19 yo 2002/2021 (47%, OB and Velier, Martinique, Tribute to Jean-Claude Benoit) 
Forgot to say, in addition they did this sequence to have a good time the 25 years of the Appellation Contrôlée Martinique. Color: amber. Nostril: deeper and oakier, extra on backyard peat, potting soil, compost and fir bark, extra on resins as nicely, sandalwood cedarwood, pinewood, you identify it. I am discovering many extra jams as nicely, peony jelly (goes tremendously with foie gras), poppy jelly, even geranium flowers, menthol… Mouth: bitter oak within the entrance. Oversteeped black tea, rooibos, damp cigar, liquorice wooden… We have gone past my private limits right here. End: lengthy, extra on bitter oak. A small soapiness within the aftertaste and extra tannicity, and but I have never added any waters. Feedback: I’m an enormous fan of the gorgeous, flabbergasting, dazzling 2006, and slightly beloved the nostril of this 2002 (therefore a highish rating), however I am discovering this palate a little bit arduous. I am positive it is me, having stated that.
SGP:272 – 81 factors |
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Saint-James 6 yo 2015/2021 (47%, OB and Velier, Martinique, Tribute to Jean-Claude Benoit)
Color: deep gold. Nostril: who might be in opposition to menthol, tender liquorice and ripe banana? Or banana cake with drops of chartreuse inside, honeysuckle, cane juice, roasted almonds and candy/tender olives (Nyons)? That is what I am discovering. Mouth: it’s fairly humorous that I might discover notes that might be much like these of the 2002, solely more energizing, rounder and tighter. A bit waxy. End: lengthy, extra on espresso, chocolate and chicory, with a little bit menthol once more within the aftertaste, in addition to a waxy aspect. And marmalade within the after-aftertaste, and within the retro-olfaction. Feedback: superb, there.
SGP:551 – 85 factors |
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Time to maneuver to Jamaica…
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Jamaican Rum 13 yo (46%, Cadenhead’s Inexperienced Label, 2021)
We’ll name this ‘the lettuce label’. The distillery’s not disclosed. Color: gentle gold. Nostril: new tyres and crushed almonds plus engine oil, lamp oil, plasticine and shoe polish. Forgot to say sardines, or Portuguese ‘Paté de Sardinha e Cavala’. I may wolf down 5 kilos of these so long as I’ve good bread on the aspect. Oh and good Jamaican rum, equivalent to this little or no child. Mouth: simple, feeling like a Jamaican mix of top quality. Is it a single? Vanilla, olives, pine honey, liquorice, salt, desert cream, a drop of seawater, a drop of pilsner beer, some bananas flambéed, some smoked kippers. That is fairly advanced. End: medium, briny. Olives, sardines and vanilla. Feedback: Jamaica’s class speaks, even at 46%.
SGP:453 – 87 factors |
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Is that this a superb session or is that this a superb session? Let’s transfer on…
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Lengthy Pond 20 yo (60.1%, Pattern X and The Duchess, Jamaica, 127 bottles, 2021)
Truly some extra witchcraft by The Rum Mercenary right here… Color: white wine. Nostril: I am not too positive, is that this Exxon, British Petroleum or Whole? You bought it, it is extremely benzine-y, in addition to very salty, briny, coastal, and old-ship-like. Tar, spent oils, olives… With water: saffron, brake mud, carbon, tarred olives, anchovies, even urchins… Mouth (neat): whoosh, extra tar, oils, rotting bananas and olives (each inexperienced and black), all that at a murderous energy. No, we’ll by no means get used to 60+! With water: again to gentler bananas and varied tropical fruits about to rot. Proper, okay, you are proper, to ferment. End: lengthy, completely salty. Olives stuffed with anchovy paste. I might kill for that. Feedback: huge and nearly as good because it will get. Oh nicely, as an example it, I adore it.
SGP:363 – 90 factors |
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JMD 24 yo 1997/2021 (59.4%, The Whisky Blues, Jamaica, barrel, 206 bottles)
A bit chook advised me this might be H*****n. No, after all not Hazelburn! Color: gold. Nostril: H. is a bit more acetic, which exhibits right here, a little bit extra on acetone as nicely, and but it will be higher balanced, albeit wider. In different phrases, slightly vinegars and varnishes gently working the present right here, which I simply love, no must say, regardless of this wee feeling of ‘new Tesla’. And kelp, and ‘Caol Ila’. With water: carbon, burnt sugars, bitter caramel, previous books (love this), magazines, razorfish and clams… Even chive and garlic! Mouth (neat): ho. Tight, gritty, grassy, ashy, very olive-y. I might have stated New Yarmouth or maybe Clarendon, actually, slightly than ‘H’. Biting into orange and banana peel. With water: no, it is fab. A sense of smoked lemons and olives. End: lengthy, identical, going in the direction of ashes. Feedback: stressed and boisterous, this one’s a fighter that simply would not preserve quiet. Bear in mind Jamaica is the Islay of rum, minus the bagpipes.
SGP:463 – 90 factors |
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Lengthy Pond 1998/2021 ‘CRV’ (49.4%, Plantation, Jamaica, Bardstown Fusion sequence, for Belgium, co-selected by Rumology.be) 
That is nearly an OB as Plantation homeowners Maison Ferrand do now personal 1/3 of Nationwide Rums of Jamaica, which personal Lengthy Pond Distillery. Capeesh? Oh and this has been completed in ex-bourbon, not in ex-cognac. Color: golden amber. Nostril: a lot lighter than the earlier ones, extra of roasted nuts and heat muffins, which does not imply that there aren’t any watts in there. Heat brioche, walnut cake, pancakes, roasted peanuts and pecans… It is true that the marque CRV, similar to CQP, would counsel that the ester counts are very low. Mouth: it’s, certainly, a lighter rum, slightly on chicory espresso, walnut wine, maybe pumpernickel bread, at instances we’d nearly consider that is good grain whisky. Fairly. Oh, or Cuban rum. End: medium, with a little bit caramel, maple syrup, denser heather honey and simply cane syrup. The bourbon wooden may deal with itself nicely sufficient. Café latte within the aftertaste. Feedback: superb, it’s the very nice lighter aspect of Jamaica. Or, if you happen to like, Jamaica’s Bunnahabhain. Do not shoot!
SGP:540 – 84 factors |
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Enmore 29 yo 1992/2021 (58.1%, Distilia, Guyana, The Golden Age of Piracy, Anney, cask #6, 250 bottles)
A tribute to Irish girl pirate Anne Bonny, who had operated within the Caribbean manner earlier than Elon Musk (my very own feedback). Color: wealthy amber. Nostril: valuable teas and mentholy herbs at first, then sauna oils and bits of rubber and plastic. I might consider the excessive energy sort of blocks it a little bit bit, though these little natural teas do bode nicely, let’s have a look at… With water: great, with previous humidor, balsa wooden, charcoal, pecan pie, Brazil nuts (not Bolsonaro), a salty tang, a drop of gravy, rooster bouillon… Mouth (neat): espresso and Cointreau at first, then burnt wooden and heavy molasses. As soon as once more I might consider water ought to do wonders on this context… With water: turns salty and bouillony as soon as extra. End: medium, salty. Feedback: maybe not precisely on par with the flabbergasting Caroni ‘Blackbeard’ in the identical sequence, however nonetheless very great. It is a little bit arduous to get the correct amount of water proper (what?)
SGP:362 – 88 factors |
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Versailles at Enmore 32 yo 1991/2021 (48.2%, Distilia, Guyana, Greenheart Assortment, 175 bottles)
From the well-known single wood pot nonetheless. Thirty-two years, we’re actually including up right here, are we not? Color: gentle gold – extremely gentle at 32. Nostril: Christmas tree and verbena, with touches of marrow and toasted wholegrain bread. Then sandalwood, bidis, orange peel, shallots, carrot tops, oysters and potpourri. It’s the complexity that is fairly astounding right here, even if you happen to do really feel that this child’s moving into all instructions, roughly. Joyful previous rum. Mouth: dry as an Ardbeg and tarry as a Port Ellen. Having stated that, no malt whisky may ever get as salty as this, even previous Bowmore barrels ‘rolled within the waters to the puffers’. Olives, anchovies, onion soup, miso, toddy. Nothing flawed. End: identical for a very long time. The saltiness is unbelievable. Onion soup, leek soup, ramson, anchovies in brine… Will we love this! Feedback: this make is typically referred to as ‘Enmore VSG’. Versailles Distillery/Plantation operated till round 1978 (some say 1968 however there), when their nonetheless was moved to Enmore, then to Diamond when Enmore closed in its flip, in 1993. So in idea, you may discover Versailles from Versailles, Versailles from Enmore (equivalent to this very one), and Versailles from Diamond.
SGP:463 – 91 factors |
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Why not have a really final one and fly to Marie-Galante? I imply, fly to Guadeloupe, then take the subsequent boat to Marie-Galante? What would you say?
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Bielle 2009/2021 (52.5%, Tamosi Sawaku, Marie-Galante)
A barely esoteric bottle, however we have not received something in opposition to that, quite the opposite. Color: reddish amber. Nostril: extraordinarily agricole, with toasted breads, roasted nuts, a drop of diesel oil, hints of cabbage soup, asparagus soup, mushrooms, sandalwood… Will get then rounder and far jammier, I am discovering bananas, tamarind, quinces… Quinces all the time win it, do they not. With water: very good mentholy essences and woods, particularly eucalyptus, wormwood and verbena. This could battle any headache, simply put one drop on every temple. Mouth (neat): Bielle equals class and that is no exception, even when it is a slightly gentler one. Nicely not that light, because the liquorice stays heavy, and so does the cinnamon and the various fragrant herbs, particularly lemony ones. Citronella and such, lemon-flavoured white nougat (only a sin)… With water: a tad on the woody aspect, however do sandal and cedar actually matter? End: slightly lengthy, stuffed with fragrant herbs and softer, citrusy spices. Yuzu jam and kaffir lime curd. Cinnamon and chocolate within the aftertaste, that is the wooden talking out. Feedback: uncommon, good drop from that great little island.
SGP:462 – 89 factors |
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 Verify the index of all rums we have tasted to this point
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