Review by: The Auditor
This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached. You can read our full statement of Ethics & Transparency at this link.
This rum comes to us from a new American Independent bottler, Faraday. This is one of their first two single cask rums that they have released. This Rhum was distilled from freshly pressed sugarcane juice in January of 2018 and filled into a 200 L American Oak cask. It aged on-site for three years before being shipped to Amsterdam in 2021 and refilled into ex-bourbon casks. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives. Now, they couldn’t use the name of the distillery on the label, but this is Rhum from Saint James.
Distillery: “Secret Martinique Distillery” (Saint James)
Bottler: Faraday
Region: Martinique
ABV: 57.54%. Cask strength.
Age: 5 years. Distilled in 2018. Bottled in 2023.
Cask type: 3 years in a 200L American Oak cask on Martinique, 2 years in ex-bourbon in Europe
Price: $79.88
Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Green Apple, Vegetal, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Allspice, Vanilla, Brine
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Vegetal, Lemongrass, Allspice, Green Apple, Black Pepper, Cinnamon
Finish: Long finish, Black Tea, Lemongrass, Allspice, Green Apple, Vanilla, Nuttiness
Conclusion:
I was skeptical when I initially poured this, I will admit. My experience with agricole that falls between the unaged and old age range tends to be disappointing to my palate. However, this one was great. The oak brought a big oomph of flavor that complements the base distillate pretty well. Those vegetal, briny, lemony flavors still shine through the oak aging in a great way. A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
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 