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| Hello, that is one in every of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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August 11, 2024
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Malternative spirits: loads of rums at an Olympic degree
We initially needed to style cognacs and/or armagnacs this Sunday as a part of our pleasant little Olympics, however then we thought it could considerably favour the French within the medal rankings. We have now ethics, in any case (oh, cease it, S.). So, we switched to rums from many very worthy small international locations, beginning with just a little aperitif.
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Grammy Award for Greatest Latin Recording in 1980 |
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The Arcane ‘Extraroma’ (40%, OB, Mauritius, +/-2022) 
Each time a model provides a ‘The’ to their title, it offers us a superb chuckle. Final 12 months, we tried an Arcane ‘Délicatissime’ which turned out to be far too candy for me (WF 64). Let’s have a look at if, at 40%, there actually is an additional aroma right here, although we’re not dreaming of something extraordinary. Color: gold. Nostril: a pure mix of acacia honey, maple syrup, and cane syrup, with a touch of pineapple liqueur and younger candy muscat (like Frontignan). On paper and on the nostril, it appears nice and, certainly, very fragrant. However everyone knows the place the satan hides… Mouth: glycerine texture. A mixture of the aforementioned syrups and liqueurs, with a barely bitter caramel and vanillin base. Very candy. End: brief, candy. Feedback: to assume that is pure cane juice at its core. Fact be advised, it is not too dangerous, simply far too candy for my liking. Move the ice bucket, please.
SGP: 730 – 70 factors. |
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Sodade ‘Cana Rocca Ouro Blanco’ (43.1%, OB, Cape Verde, grogue, +/-2023) 
Pure pink cane juice, wild yeasts, very lengthy fermentations, native pot nonetheless… We tried a Sodade ‘Botanic Joao’ final summer time and it was improbable (WF 88). This Ouro Blanco, which implies white gold, has solely aged for six months in barrels. Color: pale gold (not white in any respect!). Nostril: very good distillate, considerably straddling the road between a wonderful mild mezcal and a real rhum agricole. Loads of dried leaves, a good bit of tobacco, mild earth, some little pink olives, a little bit of seaweed, tiny citrus fruits (finger lemons), sea water. Excellent nostril, very good distillate. When’s the subsequent boat to Cape Verde? Mouth: excuse me, however that is scrumptious! Energetic but civilised, salty, barely smoky, mezcal-like once more (there have to be agaves in Cape Verde) and nonetheless with loads of citrus, a contact of cucumber and gherkin, very mild hints of compost and even peat. A bit like a light-weight Talisker from the South if you’ll. End: not very lengthy, ashier, barely drying however by no means disagreeable. Feedback: you do not see these grogues usually, which is all of the extra purpose to pounce while you do. I really like this one as a lot because the ‘Botanic’, though it’s totally completely different. Bang, a medal for Cape Verde.
SGP:552 – 88 factors. |
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William Hinton 6 yo ‘Madeira Cask’ (42%, OB, Madeira, single cask, cask #313) 
Right here we’re in Portugal. Correct agricole rhum distilled at Engenho Novo da Madeira, completed in native wine wooden. It’s mentioned to comprise a little bit of 25-year-old rhum nonetheless produced within the previous distillery. Color: darkish gold. Nostril: fairly a typical barely metallic nostril (metallic polish, previous copper) coupled with inexperienced walnut and light-weight wholesome mustardy touches, a bit within the manzanilla model. Hints of previous leather-based. I get the impression this was a dry Madeira wine cask, not less than, the nostril could be very profitable. Mouth: a bit extra dissonant, however not in an disagreeable manner, fairly the opposite. Nonetheless loads of inexperienced walnut and really gentle mustard, a contact earthy, then some raisins and a little bit of black olive tapenade. A little bit of gray pepper and gentle tobacco. Contact of caramel and café latte. End: not everlasting, however maybe that is because of the 42% ABV. Similar profile, a little bit of bitter orange within the aftertaste. Feedback: a wonderful achievement, very characterful, a rhum with a narrative to inform. A model at 46% can be top-notch.
SGP:462 – 86 factors. |
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Foursquare 20 yo 2002/2023 (49%, The Colors of Rhum, Barbados, N°19, cask #4, 208 bottles) 
Continental growing old right here, so most likely fewer tropical fruits (is smart, no? Course not). Color: white wine. Nostril: it’s stunning! One will get the impression there’s fairly a little bit of pot nonetheless, with a contact of tar, charcoal, even rubber and patching glue. Some tiny overripe bananas within the background, then a brand-new iPhone (which does nothing greater than the earlier one) simply delivered by Amazon. iPhone unboxing, there’s a brand new descriptor, however I believe we have used it earlier than. Anyway, it’s not grand arôme, but it surely’s extra grand arôme than most common Foursquares. Mouth: magnificent lemon and lime, nonetheless a little bit of tar, brine, liquorice, gentian, I virtually talked about olives however let’s not exaggerate. Very saline, in any case. End: lengthy, nonetheless on the identical saline and tarry notes. A contact of ink. Very wonderful Foursquare. Feedback: so, pure pot nonetheless? Or not less than a considerably increased proportion of pot nonetheless than common? It virtually looks as if a low-marque HMPDN.
SGP:463 – 90 factors. |
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Chairman’s Reserve 15 yo 2005/2022 (61.5%, OB, St. Lucia, GotA & RumX, bourbon, cask #06012000, 232 bottles)
Who’re GotA and RumX? DJs? Rappers? Robots? Joking, they’re all nice folks. GotA = Grape of the Artwork. A mix of fifty% ex-John Dore and 50% ex-Vendôme pot stills. Color: deep gold. Nostril: these Chairman’s Reserves are actually fairly stunning on the nostril (we’ve lastly discovered that Mister Chairman doesn’t maintain something for himself, actually), with a slightly elegant black olive nougat aspect. Are you aware black olive nougat? Water ought to make it explode. With water: previous cellar, carbon, previous paint pots, pickled fruit, and even a curious little contact of black garlic. I am keen on black garlic. Mouth (neat): it is humorous how we’re fairly near that Foursquare at this stage, however this Chairman’s Reserve bites and even slaps you within the face. Extremely-powerful, however in any other case glue, varnish, carbon, olives. With water: the identical however much more saline. Anchovies in brine. End: lengthy, softer than one would assume now, in any case very balanced between the esters and the gentler fruits. Feedback: strictly on the identical very excessive degree because the Foursquare, only a tad harsher on the finish of the end. I additionally assume this can be a actual rum for malt fans.
SGP:462 – 90 factors. |
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Cuban Rum 50 yo 1973/2024 (52%, Spheric Spirits, cask #2314302, 258 bottles)
There are some very beautiful previous unbiased Cubans round in the meanwhile, finest loved whereas listening to previous LPs of Irakere; by the best way, this well-known band was based by the sensible Chucho Valdés in… 1973. How curious. Color: darkish pink amber. Nostril: delicate, on polish, chocolate and ripe banana, touches of previous tin field, a little bit of brown sugar, very ripe apple… With water: slightly new tyres, previous wooden and geranium flowers. An unlikely combo, but it surely works, imagine it or not. Mouth (neat): a little bit of orange liqueur and occasional at first, it may need been barely boosted alongside the best way, then some molasses, Jaffa muffins, fruitwood, pipe tobacco, some brandied cherries… With water: the rum nonetheless stands as much as the wooden, it’s very good. The pipe tobacco aspect, nevertheless, is changing into extra distinguished. I keep away from mentioning Havana puros, that will be too apparent (too late, there it’s). End: medium size, beginning on espresso, roasted pecans and molasses. The chocolate and pecans actually take over within the aftertaste, however with none bitterness. Feedback: you shouldn’t be afraid of a little bit of slight bitterness from wooden in your very previous spirits. Particularly if the cask spent 50 years in Cuba, however is that even attainable? Anyway, right here’s a strike of 90.
SGP:361 – 90 factors. |
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Trinidad Distillers Restricted 15 yo 2008/2024 (64.4%, Spiritori #1, Trinidad, cask #243, 335 bottles)
Will this little TDL, aka Trinidad Distillers Restricted, snag one other gold medal? It spent 11 years within the tropics, the remainder in Europe. Color: darkish gold. Nostril: a bit blocked by the excessive ABV, however you possibly can detect putty and contemporary paint. I’m positive every part will change as soon as we add some water. With water: not likely the explosion of unique fruits we had been anticipating, slightly new pinewood, varnishes, model new rubber boots, pine needles, and solely within the background, the proverbial very ripe mangoes, bananas, and strawberries. Mouth (neat): very {powerful}. Alas, our lawyer is on the golf course once more and his iPhone appears to be off or out of battery. Menthol, pine resin, terpenes, paints… With water: right here come the fruits, but additionally fairly a little bit of inexperienced pepper. Actually not a TDL for the drawing-room that will immediately please everybody. End: very lengthy, woody, on fairly excessive menthol, excessive salmiak, and equally excessive pine resin. Feedback: an excessive TDL that shakes you up a bit. For lovers of sturdy sensations. I imply excessive sensations.
SGP:472 – 87 factors. |
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Since we’re in Trinidad & Tobago…
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Caroni 25 yo 1999/2024 (57.2%, Jean Boyer, Rum Bullion, Trinidad, cask #198)
Jean Boyer, that venerable French home, a real pioneer of world spirits, and a favorite of Whiskyfun. Jean Marie within the heavens, you’re all the time remembered! Color: deep gold. Nostril: instantly curry, soot, rubber, paint, sturdy liquorice, and thuja wooden. Extraordinarily Caroni, no literature wanted (literature, S.??). With water: elegant now! Turpentine, linseed oil, artist’s studio, modelling clay, drawing gum, lower cactus, newspapers of the day… Mouth (neat): like pliers grabbing your tongue, between final liquorice and oak extracts. Overripe bananas and mangoes are laughing within the background. With water: a lot better, as anticipated. Ripe bananas, prickly pears, blackcurrants, liquorice, spruce, absinthe… Swiss absinthe from Val de Travers, after all. End: very lengthy, ultra-dry. Do you’re keen on salty liquorice as a lot as I do? You possibly can’t discover it right here, fortunately I cross via Schiphol from time to time to refill. Feedback: very good Caroni, actually ultra-dry, however not overly woody. A blade.
SGP:262 – 90 factors. |
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Proper, one final Trinidadian…
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Caroni 24 yo 1998/2023 ‘Mars’ (61.1%, Jack Tar, Cosmic Collection, cask #2185, 195 bottles)
Mentioned to be ‘extra-terrestrial’, and so be it. Additionally talked about as a ‘actually males’s sturdy spirit’, which isn’t fairly within the spirit of the Paris Olympics, is it? Jolly good enjoyable, nonetheless, and our hopes are as excessive because the Olympic flame. All proper then… Color: deep gold. Nostril: traditional heavy Caroni, apparently, no deviations, no variations, no extreme wooden intervention, it appears to be pure and exact Caroni. Linseed oil, mango and peach peelings, mastic, hairspray, three dozen apples, two olives, pine branches (seems like Christmas already) and a marrow bone… With water: the well-known Islay rum aspect. They are saying they’re making rum at Port Ellen now, and apparently, it’s excellent. We’ll see about that quickly… Mouth (neat): taut as a bow string, lemony and resinous, with cedar and thuja wooden, plus a number of drops of very good kirsch. Kirsch is the seminal spirit that may be both orgasmic or depressing, do you know? With water: ah, good. Every little thing falls into place, and though the wooden exhibits its presence in any case these years, there isn’t any actual imbalance. Lemon, olives, smoke, oysters, inexperienced apples, inexperienced pepper. Hats off. End: very lengthy however woodier. A tad harsh, however that’s nit-picking. Feedback: it narrowly misses 91 factors, because of the very coniferous wooden beginning to intrude between the elegant distillate and also you. However no worries.
SGP:462 – 90 factors.
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Properly, we might nonetheless prefer to snag a 91, would not we? Perhaps via an Uitvlugt?
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Uitvlugt 31 yo 1990/2022 (56.2%, Silver Seal, Guyana)
Properly, I don’t reckon we have to go over the entire historical past of Uitvlugt once more, can we? As for the stills, it’s a bit tough since they had been having a number of at the moment. With out particular particulars or marques, I suppose we will’t actually know, so we’ll simply should style this previous child with none preconceptions… Color: gold. Nostril: good, ultra-precise, enormously easy, with notes of hay and bagasse. Within the background, there’s very ripe pineapple, banana skins, dried jujube, and some whelks. Frankly, it’s sensible. I additionally get the impression that these previous Demeraras, whether or not aged within the tropics or on the continent, mature a lot better than the Caronis, however please don’t quote me on that. With water: oh, previous varnishes, anti-rust paint, anchovies of their tin, olive rings and… hold on, it’s a pizza. An actual one, an Italian pizza. Mouth (neat): superlatively grand. Salted lemon, ashes, paraffin, capers, ink, carbon, bitter and salted almonds… I like it. Gold medal, simply saying. With water: the anchovies are again, with lemon, tobacco ashes and olive oil. Unbeatable. End: lengthy and stylish. Smoked oysters and grapefruit. Feedback: I believe for this bottle and some others, the bottlers (are you listening?) ought to change their model from Silver Seal to Golden Seal. Apologies, referring to what we mentioned in the beginning of this modest session, it must be The Golden Seal. No, platinum is an excessive amount of. You would possibly say there are additionally these uncommon metals utilized in Tesla batteries and others. The Lithium Seal?
SGP:562 – 91 factors. |
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 Examine the index of all rums we have tasted thus far
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Present Medal Standing
After Day 13
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92 – Gold
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- TTO Trinidad Distillers Restricted 14 yo 2009/2024 ‘Version N°1’ (62.9%, The Colors of Rum, Up Spirits Membership, bourbon cask, cask #106, 259 bottles)
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| 91 – Gold |
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- JPN Shizuoka 2019/2023 (65.2%, Asta Morris, Japan, peated, pot nonetheless Ok, bourbon barrel, cask #1222, 302 bottles)
- JPN Shizuoka ‘United S – Summer time Version 2023’ (50.5%, OB, Japan, first-fill bourbon)
- JPN Yamazaki 18 yo ’Suntory one centesimal Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, Mizunara, 2023)
- GUI Uitvlugt 31 yo 1990/2022 (56.2%, Silver Seal, Guyana)
- FIJ South Pacific Distillery 11 yo 2012/2023 (57.5%, The Whisky Jury, Fiji, refill barrel, cask #12, 292 bottles)
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| 90 – Silver |
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- JPN Hakushu 18 yo ‘Suntory one centesimal Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, 2023)
- NED Millstone 26 yo 1996/2022 (47.7%, OB for The Whisky Alternate, Netherlands, American oak, cask #1372, 264 bottles)
- JPN Shizuoka 2018/2024 (46.6%, OB, Sushi + Soul Munich, Japan, KS+WS, bourbon, cask #939)
- TTO Caroni 25-year-old 1998/2023 (60.1%, Impressions by The Colors of Rum, Trinidad, cask #8, 120 bottles)
- TTO Caroni 25 yo 1999/2024 (57.2%, Jean Boyer, Rum Bullion, Trinidad, cask #198)
- TTO Caroni 24 yo 1998/2023 ‘Mars’ (61.1%, Jack Tar, Cosmic Collection, cask #2185, 195 bottles)
- LCA Chairman’s Reserve 15 yo 2005/2022 (61.5%, OB, St. Lucia, GotA & RumX, bourbon, cask #06012000, 232 bottles)
- CUB Cuban Rum 50 yo 1973/2024 (52%, Spheric Spirits, cask #2314302, 258 bottles)
- BAR Foursquare 20 yo 2002/2023 (49%, The Colors of Rhum, Barbados, N°19, cask #4, 208 bottles)
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| 89 – Silver |
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- FRA Alfred Giraud ‘Une Odyssée’ (52.9%, OB, France, Assortment Singulière, cognac cask, 459 bottles)
- GBR Bimber ‘Stratford’ (58.5%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Fino cask, cask #267/16, 325 bottles, 2024)
- KOR Kimshangsoo Single Cask (52.1%, OB, Korea, Artist Version, 1st fill European oloroso hogshead, 312 bottles, 2023)
- AIN Caribbean Rum 30 yo 1993/2024 (60.5%, eSpirit, Liquid Treasures, fifteenth anniversary, barrel, 282 bottles)
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| 88 – Bronze |
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- GBR Bimber ‘Wimbledon’ (56.6%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Vino de Naranja cask, cask #310/5, 298 bottles, 2024)
- JPN Chichibu 2017/2023 (65%, OB for ePower, 1st fill bourbon barrel, cask #8279, 176 bottles)
- USA Copperworks 3 yo 2018/2022 (56.8%, Whisky-Facile, USA, Black Cat Collection, virgin oak, cask #287, 239 bottles)
- ITA Exmu ‘Spirit of Sardinia’ (45.5%, OB, Italy, bourbon, +/-2024)
- JPN Kanosuke 2019/2023 (61%, OB, for ePower, Japan, oloroso sherry, cask #19421, 281 bottles)
- JPN Mars Tsunuki 6 yo 2017/2024 ‘Yakushima Ageing’ (58%, OB, Japan, for Tiffany’s New York Bar and AF Commerce, sherry hogshead, cask #2094, 252 bottles)
- GBR Penderyn 13 yo 2010/2023 (59.5%, OB, Wales, LMDW New Vibrations, second fill bourbon, cask #313/2010)
- JPN Shizuoka ‘Pot Nonetheless W Japanese barley First Version’ (55.5%, OB, Japan, Japan unique, 2,500 bottles, 2023)
- JPN Yoichi 10 yo (45%, OB, Japan, Version 2022)
- GUY Diamond 20 yo 2003/2024 ‘SVL’ (51.6%, The Roots, Guyana, bourbon cask, cask #23, 174 bottles)
- CVD Sodade ‘Cana Rocca Ouro Blanco’ (43.1%, OB, Cape Verde, grogue, +/-2023)
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| 87 – Bronze |
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- GBR Bimber ‘Germany Version 2023’ (59.2%, OB, Kirsch Import, sherry, cask #456, 280 bottles)
- GBR Filey Bay 2016/2021 (63.1%, OB, England, oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #146, 271 bottles)
- NED Kalkwijck 2019/2023 ‘Higgledy Piggledy Rye’ (44%, OB, The Netherlands, American oak, 480 bottles, +/-2023)
- TPE Kavalan 2014/2024 (61%, OB for Malt, Grain & Cane, Port, cask #O140201019A, 186 bottles)
- FIN Kyrö ‘Malt Rye’ (47.2%, OB, Finland, +/-2023)
- NED Millstone 2019/2024 (57.3%, OB for The Whisky Jury, refill PX hogshead, cask #2547, 319 bottles)
- ESP Sherishor 12 yo (45%, OB, Spain, ‘pure malt whisky’, +/-2024)
- GER The Westfalian ‘Masterpiece Peated’ (64.1%, OB, Germany, ex-Macallan sherry hogshead, cask #TW74, 238 bottles)
- GER The Westfalian 2012/2024 ‘Single Grain’ (62.5%, OB, Germany, ex-Ben Nevis sherry hogshead, cask #TW8, 266 bottles)
- USA Westward ‘Cask Power 125 Proof’ (62.5%, OB, USA, +/-2023)
- AIN Ron Colon ‘Salvadoreno Excessive Proof’ (55.5%, OB, mix, +/-2022)
- TTO Trinidad Distillers Restricted 15 yo 2008/2024 (64.4%, Spiritori #1, Trinidad, cask #243, 335 bottles)
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