Review by: The Auditor
This rum comes to us by way of the Transcontinental Rum Line which is a collaboration between La Masion Du Whisky and La Masion & Velier. This rum from South Pacific distilleries (Fiji) was aged for a total of 5 years, with 2 of those years in the tropics and 3 of those years in Europe. This is a re-review as I reviewed this rum a while ago (412 total reviews and 237 rum reviews ago) so it seemed due for a revisit given all these Fiji’s I’ve been drinking. Of note before being bottled this was aged in Ex-Fiji rum casks. Let us ascertain whether I gave this rum a fair shake last go around.
Distillery: South Pacific Distillerys
Bottler: Transcontinental Rum Line
Region: Fiji
Still: Pot
ABV: 56.7%. Cask strength.
Age: 5 years. Distilled in 2014. Bottled in 2019.
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon, 2 years in Fiji, 3 Year in Europe.
Price: $65.00
Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Hot plastic water bottle, Vegetal, Vanilla, Vapor Rub, Minty, allspice
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Vanilla, Vegetal, Plastic, Nutmeg, Vapor Rub, Iodine
Finish: Medium length finish, Plastic Bag, Nutmeg, Iodine, Vapor Rub, Vegetal
Conclusion: In a surprising twist, this comes out to be a great rum for me. The weird off notes I see now as good and interesting, especially after assaulting myself with the very oaky older versions of this rum I tried this week. Those older bottlings lost something in that oak and age that his retains. This has a bit of that drinking water from a plastic water bottle during high school practice thing that takes me back and just works. The spices, and faint vanilla helps to round it all out as well.
Final Score: 88
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 