Holmes Cay is again with a bevy of recent rums — three from the long-running Single Cask sequence and one from the Single Origin sequence. You most likely don’t want an enormous introduction on this high-quality indie bottler, so let’s dive proper into the gathering.
Holmes Cay Single Origin Reunion Island Rum Traditionnel Overview
Holmes Cay Single Origin Version #4. This type of rum is instantly uncommon: molasses-based rum produced within the French type on a column nonetheless like rhum agricole. (Agricole is invariably produced from sugar cane juice.) Described as an ingredient as soon as important for tiki cocktails, this type of rum has not been generally accessible within the U.S. for many years. This rum, from Distillerie de Savanna on Reunion Island (close to Madagascar), is aged for 3 years in ex-Cognac casks and was bottled in New York.
Shiny and fairly on the nostril — very tropical with aromas of overripe pineapple, almond syrup, and a pinch of Tajin spice. Purple fruits construct with time in glass, counterbalanced by touches of coconut. The palate falls in alongside the above traces, once more kicking off with pineapple earlier than shifting right into a sharper lime zest observe and ending up with gentle florals. As a base for a mai tai, I don’t assume you could possibly do significantly better. 92 proof. A- / $45
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Guyana Versailles 2018 Overview
A 5 12 months outdated molasses rum — a single, unblended mark — from one in all Guyana’s heritage stills — relationship again to the 18th century. It’s a easy rum, very grassy on the nostril, with ample notes of overripe fruit and charred wooden evident. Racy on the nostril and the palate, with ripe banana and ample caramel notes, however a fairly gritty, peppery end. Grilled pineapple notes perk up the conclusion, however this nonetheless largely comes throughout as a curiosity for these on this explicit mark. 110 proof. B / $82
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Trinidad 2012 12 Years Previous Overview
This was as soon as 10 Cane gentle cane juice-based pot nonetheless rum, distilled in 2012 and aged in ex-Cognac and ex-rum barrels for 12 years. Aged 4 years within the tropics and eight within the UK and New York state. That is launched yearly as a creating vertical launch; you may see our protection of the 11 12 months outdated right here.
As with the 11 12 months outdated, this has a thick vein of toasted marshmallow and brown banana, with a walnut observe giving the rum a brown butter character. Barely oily, the floral notes of the 2024 version are fading right here, letting the nuttier qualities of the rum construct — coconut specifically pairing properly with lingering pineapple, caramel sauce, vanilla, and a few mango. Significantly extra tropical than earlier renditions — it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place this goes when it hits 13 years outdated. 118 proof. A- / $160
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Fiji 2009 13 Years Previous Overview
Fiji isn’t any stranger to Holmes Cay. That is a minimum of the third Fiji expression within the Single Cask lineup, and a veritable youth at simply 13 years of age (aged fully within the UK). The tropicality doesn’t wander far, providing a nostril of ultra-ripe pineapple and banana, backed up by a lightweight creosote observe that evokes charred marshmallow skins and cooked plantains. Crisp on the palate, it’s racy at full proof however its exuberant tropical fruit is unimaginable to keep away from, offering a tempering high quality to the warmth. Parts of lime leaf, overripe banana, and a pinch of gunpowder all come into play on what is a beautiful rum that’s using on the peak of its maturity. 116 proof. A- / $150
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Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Fiji 2009 13 Years Previous
USD150
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