Review by: Raygun

The Auditor dropped a bunch of rum samples on me, and…well, I’ll do my best. Had a handful of rums before, and I’m being pretty literal there. Still feeling my way there, but I’ll give this one a shot. A single cask rum from the Versailles pot still at DDL. Blows my mind that they use wooden stills. Reviewed from a sample, initially tasted blind. Rested about 10 minutes.

---

Distillery: DDL

Bottler: Raising Glasses

Region/style: Guyanese pot still rum

ABV: 57.5% 

Age: 9 years. Distilled in 2012, then aged in the UK and bottled in 2021.

Color: 1.8 old oak. Color added.

---

Nose: That’s…well, it’s different. I don’t even know where to begin. Some caramel sweetness, but mostly a weird sharp funk. Reminiscent of used gym socks and cheese, is about the best I can do. 

Palate: Not quite as odd. Some nice oaky caramel sweetness that is familiar. The cheesy funk is still there, but not dominating. Like an aged Gouda: a bit of caramel along with the sharp cheese. Olive brine. Play-dough. Nice mouthfeel, though doesn’t feel very high in ABV. 

Finish: Caramel, some orange, cheesy funk. A savory edge. Does have something like a room that hasn’t been aired out in too long. Not too sweet at all. Nor too oaky. 

Bonus wife note: “No”

---

Conclusion: I don’t know. Don’t have a baseline established yet. This was strange, but I’ve had stranger (Rivers is my poster child there). The oak flavor is familiar. That sharp sweaty, cheesy flavor is not. Adjusted to it some over the course of the dram. I do like cheese, after all. Not my favorite rum (I liked Great House a lot), but I could drink more of this.

Buy a bottle? I doubt it.

Score: 75

---

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)