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 bottle of rum (or sample in this case) we have here is from Raising Glasses, an independent bottler located in the Northeast of the United States. Hot off of 4 single casks in 2022 they have these new casks coming soon that I will be trying. This single cask of rum comes to us from Venezuela (RG was not allowed to disclose but I would venture to guess its Corporacion Alcoholes del Caribe S.A). This molasses based rum was distilled on a column still, aged for 12 years in Venezuela, then a further 2 in the UK. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives.
Distillery: Secret (Corporacion Alcoholes del Caribe S.A is my guess)
Bottler: Raising Glasses
Region: Venezuela
Still: Column
ABV:62.1%. Cask strength.
Age: 14 years. Distilled in 2009. Bottled in 2023.
Cask type: Unknown, 12 years in Venezuela, 2 years in the UK
Price: N/A
Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Toasted Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Espresso, Vanilla Chai
Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, vanilla Chai, Cinnamon, Toasted Brown Sugar, allspice, nutmeg, clove
Finish: Medium length finish, Dark chocolate, vanilla chai, cinnamon, toasted brown sugar, nutmeg, a touch of heat
Conclusion: This is great, and quite impressive. I have had a few aged rums from Venezuela since the XXX/2 release the Aficionados did and this is the 1st one that measures up to it for me. This has a nice savory backbone, with is complimented well by spices and some sweetness. I really like this style of rum
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 