Review #1066; Rum Review #394

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 from Dead Reckoning, an independent bottler based out of Australia that has while new to the U.S scene has been bottling some well-regarded rum for Australia and Europe. This rum comes from the South Pacific distillery in Fiji. It is a blend of pot and column still rum and was aged for 10 years in the tropics in an ex-muscat wine barrel before being bottled with no additives.

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Distillery: South Pacific Distillery

Bottler: Dead Reckoning

Region: Fiji

Still: Pot/Column Blend

ABV: 47%

Cask: 10 Years ex-muscat cask in Tropics

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Nose: Dark fruits, Figs, Raisins, Cinnamon, Raspberry

Palate:  Lighter mouthfeel, figs, raisins, Cinnamon, pear

Finish: : Short finish, pear, cinnamon, figs

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Conclusion: While I can see the powerful effect the muscat cask had on this, I feel like the “typical” younger Fiji profile I enjoy was just buried. This is all dark fruits, a bit of spice, maybe a hint of cream. I can see other folks enjoying it but this is not the profile I really expected. It’s not bad, but not fore me and really buries what I enjoy about the flavor profile.

Final Score: 77

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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.