Review #1058; Rum #386

Single Barrel Select, a brand run by 1423 Spirits, is mainly known for their single barrel selections of rums that they release. However, in the past 2 years or so they have been doing these Single Origin rums that takes rums from different places and releases them unaged with no additives all at 47%. There’s been some fun rums released in that time like an unaged Port Mourant and some of the worst things I’ve ever had like the SBS Dominican Republic Grand Arome. Here we have some unaged molasses rum from a country I have yet to have any rum from, Ecuador. Let us see how it is.

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Distillery: Unknown

Bottler: SBS/1423

Region: Ecuador

Still: Column Still

ABV: 57%.

Price: $45.00

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Nose: Lemon Zest, slight apple, guava, caramelized plantain, olive oil

Palate: Thin mouthfeel, cinnamon, guava, caramelized plantain

Finish: : Short length finish, brine, cinnamon, guava, plantain, black pepper

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Conclusion: For my first rum from Ecuador, this was quite interesting. Spicy at first but then a bit of brine and fruits come in. That plantain is really prominent and enjoyable. The guava and bit of pepper makes it nice as well. It’s a bit thin on the mouthfeel and the finish is quite short. The flavors are really nice but it lacks the oomph that I want in an unaged high proof rum in the flavor department.

Final Score: 79

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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.