| |
Dwelling
1000’s of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2022
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is certainly one of our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
February 20, 2022
|
|
  |
|
|
|
A phrase of warning
Let me please remind you that my humble assessments of any spirits are executed from the viewpoint of a malt whisky fanatic who, what’s extra, is aboslutely not an professional in rum, brandy, tequila, vodka, gin or another spirits. Thanks – and peace! |
|
One other day of rums
|
 |
There’s increasingly more rums and brandies crossing the edge of Whiskyfun Towers, however I’ve lengthy determined to solely have these on Sundays. That is Whiskyfun and it will stay Whiskyfun. Let’s discover a ‘humorous’ apéritif…
|
|
|
Naga 10 yo ‘Siam Version’ (40%, OB, Indochina (?), +/-2021) 
This humorous one reeks of colonialist-nostalgic advertising and marketing. I imply, Siam has develop into Thailand in 1939, and Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) was disbanded in 1954. I discover this even worse than all these faux Caribbean manufacturers that will sing the praises of varied unlikely ‘heroes of the revolucion’ everybody’s forgotten about. Anyway, this ‘may’ be some gentle Thai rum, presumably from SangSom. The Khmer-inspired packaging is beautiful, I’ve to say. Color: gold. Nostril: no, it is comparatively high-quality albeit very gentle, with some orange syrup, sweet sugar and melons. Mouth: no sugar bomb (test), very gentle, not disagreeable, with oranges and a bit sugarcane juice. A couple of cls of Frappuccino (apologies). End: quick, orangey, comparatively clear. Feedback: a really gentle drop that will be in the identical class as that of the entry-level Bacardis, Havana Golf equipment, Brugals and all that. I had thought this could be a lot worse and am believing that it might stand some 46% vol.
SGP:530 – 76 factors. |
|
|
Novo Fogo 3 yo ‘Batch 1’ (41.2%, That Boutique-y Rum Firm, cachaça, Brazil, 550 bottles, +/-2021) 
Oh however certainly, that is cachaça, so rum produced from recent cane juice. Some are very industrial, others being very artisanal. Some unique wooden are additionally used, resembling, on this very case, some type of teak referred to as amburana. We have all the time needed to be taught much more about cachaça, however I am afraid we by no means received round to it. In the future, maybe. Color: straw. Nostril: that is plain caramel liqueur at first sniffs. Somebody would have roasted Mars bars and thrown a bit camphor into this whacky combine. Some tar too, and a few liquorice. Plus a bit rubber and pinewood. Mouth: I can not not consider tequila, however this has extra burnt notes, deep-roasted raisins, some rubbers, plastics maybe, extra caramel, some salty and bitter herbs, rubbery brine… It does really feel a bit ‘bacterial’. End: fairly lengthy, saltier but, resinous, bitter, and certainly a bit bacterial. Candy cheeses and burnt olives. Feedback: nice enjoyable and fairly uncharted territories to us, even when we have tried just a few cachaças earlier than. Nice enjoyable certainly.
SGP:372 – round 82 factors. |
|
Since we had been having cachaça…
|
|
|
Sapucaia Velha 10 yo (40.3%, Cadenhead, Malternative Launch, 414 bottles, 2019)
Cane juice distilled in pot stills. Color: white wine. Nostril: good enjoyable this time once more. Say pastis or ouzo, plus olive oil and fennel liqueur. Some fermenting fruits, peaches, melons, bananas… Some good esters in there. Mouth: a tad flattish and fairly on greens, gherkins, crushed olives, sorb, inexperienced asparagus, artichokes, bamboo shoots, artisan mead… End: shortish, on salted greens, capers, gherkins, lemon juice, and a humorous drop of fino. Somewhat candy mustard and mead within the aftertaste. Feedback: a lot much less caramel on this one. Ought to anybody ever attempt to distil olives, this could be type of the tip consequence. I am positive this could kill at +/-46% vol.
SGP:462 – round 82 factors. |
|
That is sufficient cachaça already.
|
|
|
L’Arbre du Voyageur 3 yo (53.5%, Chantal Comte, La Mauny, Martinique, 3000 bottles, +/-2019) 
This one by some very participating, sympathetic and humble folks. Color: gold. Nostril: not quite a bit taking place at this level. Some aniseed, pure cane juice, we’re fairly near good white agricole, the truth is. Ylang-ylang. With water: not too positive it might swim properly, I am discovering some metallic touches that don’t work too properly on this context. Zamac. Mouth (neat): good, a tad tough and liquoricy, with some earthy liquorice allsorts and a very good olive-y cane-iness. We’re on the bone of agricoleness. With water: will get bone-dry, very earthy, extraordinarily cane-y. End: lengthy, dry and really grassy. Loopy cane juice. Some soapiness and simply cologne within the aftertaste. Feedback: let’s be sincere, that is most likely one of many purest and most difficult sugarcane-led rums I’ve tried lately.
SGP:362 – 85 factors. |
|
|
Rum Orator 2016/2019 (66.9%, Orator, Paraguay, barrel #2, 90 bottles) 
Some loopy Swiss bottling at a murderous energy. Color: gold. Nostril: windshield washer fluid and olive oil aged in American oak. Effectively, that is what I am getting at this, err, murderous energy. With water: Gruyeres cheese, black olives, carbon paper and shampoo. Fairly an adventurous drop certainly. Mouth (neat): Paraguay? Was this made by the great people who’re additionally making Fortin? It is rather excessive, brutal, salty, stuffed with plastics and new electronics. Briefly, troublesome, however bear in mind (cough), nearly 67% vol. Assassins! With water: pear juice and engine oil, plus toffee and caramel. Not a basic combo, however it’s received its charms. End: somebody’s been smoking pears, apparently. Williams pear eau-de-vie aged in olive wooden. No, actually. Feedback: nice enjoyable, however what was that, precisely? Do they make estery rum in Paraguay?
SGP:462 – round 83 factors. |
|
|
Foursquare 9 yo 2011/2021 (62.3%, Wealth Options, Barbados, The Colors of Rum, N°6, cask #19, 246 bottles)
This child was aged within the tropics for five years, then in Mom Europe. Color: gold. Nostril: typical, dense on the one aspect, lighter and extra columny on the opposite aspect. Good straightforward pastries, with vanilla and the Frenchest croissants. With water: cornflakes. It is to be puzzled if this wasn’t 100% ex-column FS. Mouth (neat): the columny, lighter aspect of Foursquare feels first at such excessive energy, I might suppose the extra oily elements want water and oxygen to shine out. In different phrases, the strongest, the lightest. Pancake sauce and jelly infants. With water: no, it is actually gentle, straightforward, candy, on cereals, Fruit Loops… End: medium, candy and fairly skinny. Feedback: one of many lightest Foursquares I’ve tried. Excellent drop, however I would not say there may be a lot spine. Not a correct malternative, in any case.
SGP:530 – 80 factors. |
|
|
Clarendon 37 yo 1984/2021 (62%, Thompson Bros. & The Auld Alliance, Jamaica)
Marque was MMW and that is pure pot nonetheless rum. It was saved below reggae for 34 years and met with bagpipe rock and roll solely three years in the past. What a shock. Naturally, you could possibly as properly name this Monymusk. Color: crimson cedarwood. Nostril: appropriately acetic, acetone-y, and simply completely varnishy. Rotting pineapples and, certainly, cedarwood, nail polish, and gherkins/olives. With water: dried jujubes and figs, which is gentler, we agree. Praline, drop of moscatel, a little bit of ham. Mouth (neat): excessive tannins, black raisins, pine oil, salmiak, teak and glue. Sends shivers down your backbone. With water: diesel oil, black olives, carbon, cedarwood shavings, and the blackest black chocolate, 90% cocoa or extra. End: lengthy, bone-dry, salty, with carbon mud, artichokes and Himalayan-monastery black tea. The aftertaste is extraordinarily dry and bitter, at any energy. Feedback: a fairly provocative bottling. I imply, you possibly can’t fairly sip it like that, it’s a must to battle it. Holy featherless crow, what a bitter monster!
SGP: 272- 85 Factors? |
|
No different rum may ever ‘climb over’ that ueber-extreme Clarendon, so we are saying good night time/good day, see you quickly. Until, maintain on…
|
|
First, the same old apéritif at straightforward energy…
|
|
|
Mount Homosexual ‘Black Barrel’ (43%, Barbados, bourbon casks, +/-2020) 
Not the primary time had been attempting this little Bajan. I used to seek out it a tad skinny (round WF 79). Having stated that it is received nothing to do with W. Grant’s ‘Black Barrel’, which was grain from Girvan if I am not mistaken. Color: gold. Nostril: within the type of a lighter agricole, with good cane-y notes and some floral tones (ylang-ylang, orange blossom) on prime of a bit sweet sugar and bananas flambéed. A little bit fudge and liquorice too. Mouth: good and straightforward, beginning properly on sugar cane and even tiny touches of grassy esters, however shedding steam whereas some saltiness would seem on the identical time, which I discover a bit irritating. End: fairly quick, on salted orange liqueur, ought to anybody ever strive that. Feedback: not precisely watery however you can not not consider Foursquare, while Foursquare has extra knack. Unchanged.
SGP:541 – 79 factors. |
|
Since we have talked about agricole…
|
|
|
Bellevue 23 yo 1998/2021 (55.2%, Nobilis Rum, Guadeloupe, 252 bottles) 
Talking of Foursquare, that is really a single mix of vesou (cane should) and molasses distilled in a column, so not rhum agricole. I do know, nothing to do with Foursquare, really. Color: deep gold. Nostril: fairly immense and intense, with the type of esters that you’d fairly discover in Jamaica or Trinidad, if you happen to see what I imply. Now it is not a ‘500+’ in any respect, naturally, however I simply adore these petroly and olive-y notes, in addition to this acetone, recent paint and putty, new 33rpm, assorted rotting fruits, and simply fresh-squeezed (or fairly crushed) cane juice. With water: will get grassier, extra natural, type of gentler. Mildly gentler. Somebody’s inadvertently poured diesel oil over nestle, sorrel and inexperienced bananas. Mouth (neat): Unimaginable. Aniseed and salted liquorice simply in every single place, plus black olives and tobacco mud. With water: getting chalky. Malt lovers particular: it might be a Ben Nevis of rhum of some type. End: lengthy, this time with nots of oranges. In any other case liquorice, olives, tar and brine. Feedback: I used to be having it at 90.5 (oh come on) however this can be a good day. At all times test the BBs (Bielle and Bellevue).
SGP:463 – 91 factors. |
|
Since we maintain mentioning Foursquare…
|
|
|
Foursquare 2011/2021 (61.7%, Wealth Options, Barbados, The Colors of Rum, No.11, cask #20, 239 bottles)
So, likely a self-blend of ex-column and ex-pot nonetheless molasses-based rums. It spent 5 years within the tropics, the remainder in Europe. Color: gold. Nostril: a lot gentler, extra on vegetal oils, pumpkin, peanut, sunflower… Some honeysuckle and elderflowers, praline fudge, macchiato and custard. Certainly, mild. With water: fairly some varnish escaping out of your glass. Cane juice, sesame oil, minimize hay… Mouth (neat): very typical, with crushed bananas and a tiny contact of pear, bonbons, Werther’s Originals and simply plain Scottish fudge flavoured with oranges. With water: a bit pine resin at first, then an ideal averageness, which is an asset right here. Effectively it isn’t common, it’s balanced. End: medium, with smooth liquorice in cappuccino and fudge. A wee drop of bonbony varnish within the aftertaste. Feedback: maybe a tad younger? In any other case simply wonderful.
SGP:551 – 87 factors. |
|
I believe we have talked about Caroni too, no?
|
|
|
Caroni 23 yo 1998/2021 (56.8%, The Whisky Jury for Spring Spirits , barrel #45, 288 bottles)
Color: deep gold – amber. Nostril: smoke some Werther’s Originals utilizing beech wooden and add a contact of juniper and you may recreate this. Congrats. With water: new tyres and scuba diving fits, plus a boy-size pack of strawberry drops. No, this isn’t Port Ellen 20 yo. Mouth (neat): some candy rubber this time, and smoked Swiss cheese certainly. That is very uncommon, it reminds of once we used to throw cream cheese (La Vache Qui Rit) on the bonfire after I was a boy-scout. Or was it after I was a corporal within the military? Effectively I am joking a bit, that is significantly better. Huge rubbery and smoky chocolate and orange combo. Barbecued Jaffa muffins? With water: basic salty and natural rubbery unfolding. Sweeter rubber, college glue… End: lengthy, saltier. Dry inexperienced olives kicking in, most likely Spanish (come on). Liquorice within the aftertaste. Feedback: a tad uncommon and even deviant, however nearly as good because it will get.
SGP:363 – 90 factors. |
|
|
Rhum J.M 1999/2021 (43.6%, OB for Kirsch Import, Martinique, bourbon, cask #180007)
It is fab to see extra J.M single casks coming out right here and there. Convey out the Neissons! Color: amber. Nostril: acetone, capers, ammonia, olives, rotting bananas, pine resin, then Thai basil, coconut sauce and nougat. Extraordinary, flabbergasting nostril, solely to be skilled in the perfect agricoles of excellent age. And in Martinique, Doudou. Mouth: the oak feels this time and at occasions you would not even be certain this isn’t cognac or armagnac. No when you get previous these heavy resinous and mentholy teas, you will discover many small herbs and flowers, chamomile, rosehip, peppermint, sorrel, borage… End: medium, getting medicinal. That is the ‘outdated’ wooden talking out. Feedback: some excruciating dilemma. The nostril was out of this world, whereas the palate was about-to-start-to-get drained (IMHO, as we used to say when the Web was nonetheless civilised).
SGP:561 – 87 factors (nostril simply 92 or extra). |
|
To the opposite aspect please…
|
|
|
Rhum J.M 2015/2021 (55.1%, OB for Kirsch Import, Martinique, bourbon, cask #200376)
Color: crimson amber. Nostril: this was to be anticipated, we’re discovering some bourbon this time (Pappy and stuff), varnish, roasted sesame and peanut, caramel… With water: nail polish remover and model new Nikes at first, then fern and fig leaves, inexperienced bananas, ‘a Saturday morning at IKEA’s’ (completely happy divorce my good friend!) and a newly-build sauna (welcome again). Mouth (neat): a bit dry and grassy, with some acridness, oversteeped black tea, tobacco, conifer saps, inexperienced banana pores and skin… Really, I like this, in case you have not seen. With water: robust teas, some tannicity, extra banana skins… End: lengthy, nonetheless varnishy and grassy. Cough syrup and simply menthol and fir resin and cedarwood within the aftertaste. Feedback: a sense of younger bourbon from Martinique. Completely wonderful, however 5 – 6 years are 5 – 6 years (woo-hoo, S.!)
SGP:371 – 85 factors. |
|
|
Caroni 22 yo 1998 (62.5%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Trinidad, 1st fill bourbon barrel, #R13.3, ‘Havana, Madagascar and Tahiti’, 267 bottles, +/-2021)
What is the hyperlink between Trinidad-and-Tobago and ‘Havana, Madagascar and Tahiti’, until you are a stamp-collector? Color: gold. Nostril: marvillioso, old-school, thick and heavy, with certainly, perhaps, they’re proper, one thing Cuban. Outdated darkish Havana Membership or outdated Santiago de Cuba. Aside from that, this lighter Caroni continues to be ridden with smoky chocolate and tarry espresso. With water: one thing acetic popping out, that is properly Caroni. Varnish lemon oil, thyme and leek. Mouth (neat): so good. Pinewood, tapenade (olive paste), aioli (garlic paste), anchoïade (anchovy paste), some smoky toffee, tar, rubber, varnish, lemons, plastics, glue, ink… With water: ink, bitter almonds, menthol and ‘chewing plastic’. End: very lengthy, extra natural. Excellent tarriness within the aftertaste. Feedback: simply nice, however Tahiti?
SGP:363 – 90 factors. |
|
|
Caroni 22 yo 1998 (62.1%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Trinidad, 1st fill bourbon barrel, #R13.2, ‘Prepared Made Marmalade’, 267 bottles, +/-2021) 
Color: gold. Nostril: comparable, clearly, just a bit gentler and rounder, lighter in a means, much less petroly, extra on toasted oaky etcetera. With water: what ‘gentler’? No, that is tight, lemony, acidic, with some tarry rubber and ‘new sneakers and iPhones’. Nice fashionable society, no? Mouth (neat): again to extra acetic tastes, inexperienced lemons, varnish, mezcal… With water: tar popping out, all is properly. End: lengthy, a bit tarrier, however nonetheless within the type of the ‘lighter’ Caronis. Feedback: I believe I favored R13.3 a bit higher, for it was larger. Nice choice by the very honourable SMWS in each circumstances, anyway. IO even assume I can discover the ‘Prepared Made Marmalade’ if I ‘style intently’.
SGP:352 – 88 factors. |
|
Maybe a final Caroni earlier than we name this a session…
|
|
|
Caroni 21 yo 1999/2021 (65.7%, Distilia, The Golden Age of Piracy, Blackbeard, cask #197, 228 bottles)
I had thought the golden age of piracy was proper at present, simply ask Bezos, Sundar or Jack Ma… Anyway! Color: amber. Nostril: oh, mashed potatoes with black truffles and olive oil! Then eggplants and smoky espresso, engine grease, sweet sugar, a bit corn syrup, caramelised onions… With water: tight and inexperienced. Somebody’s smoked Brussels sprouts and referred to as that ‘rum’. A curious maltiness and extra mashed potatoes. And extra truffles. Mouth (neat): smashing, bone-dry and ultra-tight, nearly Ardbeggian. Chic smoky coastalness. Terrrrrific. With water: oh wow. Millimetric and vertical, petroly, tarry, great. End: lengthy, tarry and rubbery. No escape. Feedback: good within the tarry type. I believe we have already talked about middle-aged Port Ellen, have we not?
SGP:373 – 92 factors. |
|
(Merci Pierre-Alexandre and Nicolas)
|
|
 Examine the index of all rums we have tasted to date
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
