New Yarmouth 28 Year (1994) Aficionados x Fine Drams Cask 435059

Review #1053; Rum #381

A few years ago the Aficionados group had a chance for a collaboration with Fine Drams. Several casks of very old tropically aged Jamaicans were up for sale due to a broker that went out of business on the island of Jamaica. I was asked to be on the panel and so I accepted and helped taste through the set. I want to disclose to be as transparent as possible. I can assure you I receive no money on this, in fact it cost me money to buy all these rums! Now on to the rum.
Please note that due to pandemic related delays the age on the labels is slightly off.

Distillery: New Yarmouth

Bottler: Fine Drams

Region: Jamaica

Still: Column Still

ABV: 68.5%.

Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon, 25 Years in Jamaica, 3 years in Denmark

Price: $97.36

Nose: Graham Cracker, Waffle Cone, caramelized Banana, milk chocolate, black pepper, cinnamon

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Vanilla cream, banana, waffle cone, graham cracker, milk chocolate, cinnamon, black pepper, toasted coconut

Finish: :Long finish, cherry, vanilla, black pepper, waffle cone, graham cracker, milk chocolate, toasted coconut

Conclusion: I think this is an example of how good a column still rum can be. This isn’t funky in the way you would associate a Jamaican with but its pack full of flavor. Fruits, a bit of sweetness, toasted coconut makes for a really delicious and well crafted rum. The barrel influence is quite heavy and I get the sense it would veer into over-oaked territory for some, but I like what the cask brings to this rum. This was firmly 3rd in my rankings when selecting and is quite a rum that is at least worth a try. If not then to see what a New Yarmouth rum aged this long in the tropics tastes like.

Final Score: N/A

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.

Published by The Auditor

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I have drank my fair amount of single malt but got started writing reviews about Single Malt and Bourbon in 2018. Over 1000 total reviews later and I focus mainly on Sugar Cane Spirits now. However, single malt is a still a spirits category I enjoy greatly as is Agave and Brandy. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself an expert but I am the resident Rum obsessed writer for Malt Runners.

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