Review #1064; Rum #392

Holmes Cay, that American independent bottler, took a trip last year out to Reunion Island to visit Savanna distillery. They are one of the distilleries growing in popularity and known for the variety of rums they produce. Here we have one of the new single origin series Holmes Cay is bottling, an unaged Grand Arome, a molasses based rum that is fermented for 10 days befor distillation resulting in very unique flavors.

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Distillery: Savanna

Bottler: Holmes Cay

Region: Reunion Island

Still: Column

ABV: 57.5%.

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Nose: Sharpie Marker, Cement Glue, Honeydew , Umami, Peppery, popcorn

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Sharpie Marker, Honeydew Umami, Pepper, Popcorn, Vanilla

Finish: : Medium length finish, Umami, Honeydew, Lime Peel, Popcorn, Peppery

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Conclusion: Great and weird. Glue, markers, industrial notes make it sound very unappealing. But throw in the fruits and spices and its really intriguing. This is not something you will crush your way through, its so flavor dense and strange that you will sit with it for a long awhile, but it’s a novelty and one worth having.

Final Score: 88

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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.