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| Hello, that is one in all our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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June 22, 2025
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A phrase of warning
Let me please remind you that my humble assessments of any spirits are finished 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! |
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The return of the rums this June
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And to kick issues off, we’re going to have some supposedly “WTF” rum, adopted by nice classics which have confirmed themselves again and again.
(A kind of faux classic promoting indicators which might be everywhere in the web. You do surprise, although, whether or not society does not should be closely sweetened too.)
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Don Papa ‘Gayuma’ (40%, OB, Philippines, +/-2025) 
We used to take the mickey out of Don Papa fairly a bit, but when Diageo purchased the model, it should have been extremely worthwhile. I’ll add that it appeared to me there have been a couple of enhancements since then, truthfully, I swear… This one spent 3 years in ex-bourbon, then was ‘completed’ in Rioja at excessive temperature, adopted by a spell in ex-Islay casks. Lagavulin? Did they actually dare? In any case, it’s mentioned that this inconceivable factor pays homage to shamanic rituals practised on the island of Negros. So long as they haven’t added magic mushrooms or Pink Floyd, I’d say we are able to go for it… Color: gold. Nostril: to get one thing related, attempt mixing some crème de cassis from LIDL with orange liqueur from ALDI. The issue lies in getting the ratio proper. Mouth: now smoke is coming via, with a touch of pepper and tomato plant, however to be truthful, it’s not dangerous. Intelligent work on the aromas, although it has completely nothing to do with a ‘pure’ spirit. End: medium in size and barely candy, however respectable, with the cassis making a return. Feedback: truthfully, it’s fairly respectable, and even fascinating in locations.
SGP:640 – 74 factors. |
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Dictador 24 yo 1996/2020 ‘Capitulo I’ (44%, OB, Colombia, sherry cask, cask #ExSH-548, 900 bottles) 
This actually appears the a part of a status rum, doesn’t it? We’ve all the time had a superb giggle at Dictador’s advertising, together with on the numerous festivals. Color: darkish amber. Nostril: hey, not dangerous in any respect, properly fermentary, not overly ‘candy’, and above all, there’s a stunning sherry word which, ultimately, provides us the impression of a Jerez brandy with a contact of Madeira rum. In brief, it’s very Iberian—in the very best sense of the phrase. Mouth: not dangerous! Loads of espresso, walnut wine, tobacco, molasses, deeply roasted blended nuts, with delicate mustard, raisins and a pleasing salty edge. End: similar once more. The 44% vol. is clearly a bonus. Feedback: I gained’t give up, I imply capitulate, I’d even say this Capitulo is now my favorite Dictador, although the sherry casks little question did many of the heavy lifting.
SGP:651 – 79 factors. |
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Braud & Quennesson ‘Signature du Chai Double Essence’ (49%, OB, Martinique, agricole, +/-2025)
Newcomer from Martinique, matured for round a 12 months in French and American oak. We’ve already tasted a B&Q earlier than, and whereas it was genuinely good, it felt a tad mild for an agricole. Color: gold. Nostril: certainly mild, with a n aged cachaça-like word most likely introduced on by the moderately energetic wooden. Nevertheless it’s a pleasing nostril, with an enthralling natural facet, suppose fennel and celery stalks. Mouth: extra physique right here, nonetheless clearly younger however with some pretty spice, once more that fennel, star anise and celery, all softened with honey and a contact of carrot. It really works, it’s enjoyable, it’s charming, and as soon as once more we discover that little Madeira agricole rum accent. And we do like Madeira’s agricoles. End: medium size, a bit sweeter now, on pear liqueur and white pepper. Feedback: charming and fairly totally different out of your typical Martinique agricole.
SGP:551 – 79 factors. |
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As we’re within the prime of youth…
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TDL 2023/2024 (55.6%, The Whisky Jury, Trinidad, cask #10, 272 bottles) 
In the event that they bottled this at simply 1 12 months of age, there should have been a purpose. No less than, that’s what we hope. Color: deep gold. In rum too, color doesn’t await age. Nostril: overlook it, it is a cocktail of mango, pear and ink. With water: behaves identical to these very younger Hampdens, for those who see what I imply. A fast cease on the petrol station… Mouth (neat): astonishing combo, flat-leaf parsley, mango, banana, prickly pear, liquorice wooden, recent mint leaves… With water: even higher, with manuka honey and spruce coming in. Nevertheless it’s no joke, it’s fairly aggressive, really… The place does that tannic chew come from? It truthfully feels far older. End: very lengthy, with hydrocarbons and varnishes rolling in over the fruit. And shampoo! Feedback: a glimpse of hell in your glass, and the excellent news is, it’s not as dangerous as that sounds. However one 12 months outdated, actually? Swear on it, only one?
SGP:663 – 89 factors. |
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Replace: Nicely finished, Einstein — the chimp on the label is smarter than you! It was a 2003, not a 2023. As a rule, we by no means alter a tasting word, however after all the title can be corrected when it is archived.
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Jamaican Rum 14 yo 2010/2025 (52.9%, Fadandel, refill barrel, cask #4, 254 bottles) 
Color: gold. Nostril: new tyres, new tyres, and… new tyres. With water: salted anchovies and tapenade! Mouth (neat): smoked mangoes and bananas grilled over charcoal, then a hearty dose of salt and polish, simply accurately. With water: it kicks a bit, turns into acetic, nearly violent, full of glues and polish; and the worst half is, we like it. End: very lengthy, nonetheless aggressive, nearly chemical, nearly unsettling. Feedback: completely one for lovers of daring spirits solely. Depend me in, however they’re clearly a bit mad over at Fadandel, simply think about the Danish police stumbling upon this lot!
SGP:473 – 87 factors. |
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Caroni 25 yo 1998/2024 (62.8%, The Whisky Blues, Trinidad, STR barrel, cask #2290, 202 bottles) 
What’s fairly notable right here is {that a} cask from the legendary 1998 classic has been transferred right into a shaven-toasted-recharred (STR) barrel, for causes that stay moderately mysterious, to be sincere. Color: darkish amber. Nostril: rubber, new trainers, a parcel from Temu, brake pads… In brief, the jury’s nonetheless out. With water: it’s like a brand new supply from Ikea. Sawdust, glue and polish galore. Mouth (neat): sharp, with heavy notes of petrol, tobacco, hashish oil, propolis… However beware, it’s almost 63% vol., which can clarify a couple of issues. With water: a bit higher, considerably fruitier a minimum of, however nonetheless extremely excessive. Sadomasochistic rum let’s say. End: lengthy, full of rubber, inexperienced pepper and polish. Feedback: I’m not fairly certain what to say, that is actually very, very excessive and critically unbalanced. I’d have liked to style it earlier than the STR-ification.
SGP:374 – 81 factors. |
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Clarendon 22 yo 2000/2023 (44.3%, Rum Sponge, Jamaica, 146 bottles)
The Sponge’s Clarendon 1997 was excellent, it have to be mentioned. Color: white wine. Nostril: ‘spongey’, that means near the distillate, with quirky sultanas, smoked and pickled, plus a contact of menthol tobacco and some bay leaves. Sawn spruce. Mouth: that is virtually a wine at this energy, you might completely serve it on the desk, with a seafood platter or, fairly the distinction, some agency cheeses like Comté, Gruyère, Fribourg and so forth. I consider the artwork of serving spirits on the desk deserves way more consideration and promotion, simply not in China, the place it’s already moderately customary. End: lengthy, recent, mentholated, moderately spot on. A contact of rubber within the aftertaste. Feedback: sheer magnificence, this crisp and exact little Clarendon.
SGP:562 – 88 factors. |
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Hampden Property ‘Pagos Batch 3’ (52%, OB for LMDW and Velier, Jamaica, sherry, 2024)
I’ll provide the brief model of the story, shall I. This one concerned Fundador casks this time, which beforehand held Hampden HLCF. Color: gold. Nostril: sure certainly, formic acid, lemons, glue, linden blossom, inexperienced olives. It’s moderately seductive, let’s be sincere. With water: outdated varnishes, tiny hints of acetone, hair lacquer, nail polish… Mouth (neat): completely Hampden, with liquorice ruling the entire thing, no contest, no regrets. With water: completely pretty, salty, maritime, lemony, however above all monstrously saline. The liquorice continues to be very a lot there, naturally. End: similar story. Feedback: it’s horribly glorious, and the worst half is we don’t even know the age of this child.
SGP:463 – 89 factors. |
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Caroni 1999/2024 (63.9%, Silver Seal, LMDW Foundations, Trinidad, cask #184, 150 bottles)
No two methods about it, these outdated ships on a rum label actually pop, however after all, we’re nicely past mere ‘navy energy’ right here. Color: deep gold. Nostril: steel polish, a great deal of steel polish, then one thing like an outdated library, waxes, flooring polish, camphor, varnish, aged leathers, dusty papers… All very charming, even at almost—await it—65% vol.! With a variety of water: for those who give it only a second, it takes you in direction of a rhubarb tart drizzled with eau-de-vie of untamed berries, rowan, service tree, holly… Mouth (neat): it’s a bit like licking a glue stick, UHU-style. I believe we’ll skip forward and add loads of water right away. With water: a bit difficult to tame, because it adjustments fully relying on how a lot water you add. In concept, water softens it. In follow, it brings out the tannins and the resins. Good luck. End: very lengthy and really, very resinous. Nevertheless it’s from these extremes that redemption comes (simply not in politics, proper) … Feedback: truthfully, this isn’t simply an outdated rum at a barely excessive energy, it’s whole warfare in your glass. Some of the excessive current spirits round.
SGP:273 – 86 factors. |
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Slightly Bajan bonus, loved by itself…
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Foursquare 20 yo 2004/2025 ‘Fidelitas’ (55%, La Maison & Velier, Barbados) 
This ‘single mix’ (80/20?) was matured for 19 years in ex-bourbon and 1 12 months in ex-Marsala, all within the tropics. And right away one begins dreaming of Marco de Bartoli, whom we visited in April, and their Vecchio Samperi… However let’s not digress into Bacchic musings, we’re right here for the rum, aren’t we. Color: amber. Nostril: it’s uncanny how the mind works, abruptly I’m in Marsala, Sicily, and I’m actually not complaining. The wine clearly bolstered the ‘pot nonetheless’ facet—don’t ask me how—giving it a richer, nearly oilier texture. Lovely whiffs of recent walnuts, plus tobacco, damp earth, morels (do they develop these in Barbados?), and hints of outdated wooden, let’s say a classic humidor crammed with Cuban puros. With water: saline notes emerge, together with truffle broth and, once more, cigars. A faint contact of tar provides much more dimension. Mouth (neat): orange liqueur and nocino operating wild, molasses, toffee, and above all, some top-tier Sicilian rum-and-raisin gelato. With water: now we’re absolutely in rum territory, with sugarcane stepping ahead confidently, a flurry of citrus zest, and all the time that little salty-tarry undertone, all introduced with the utmost appeal. End: similar once more, moderately taut, but wealthy on the similar time. Peppers and Italian bitters come tumbling in on the finish. Feedback: a triumph, I used to be about to say a Roman triumph. Most of all, it’s supremely elegant, and will simply be sipped like a sherry. Or certainly a Marsala (from De Bartoli, naturally). Yu bought it, I like it.
SGP:562 – 91 factors. |
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We’ll have fairly a couple of rums once more subsequent Sunday, for those who’re up for it.
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 Test the index of all rums we have tasted to this point
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