Beenleigh 2013

Review by: The Auditor

Review #1158; Rum #473

Beenleigh is the oldest rum distillery in Australia and is located in Queensland on the northern coast of the country. In addition to being in an area known for its sugarcane cultivation, the distillery supplied rum to the British Royal Navy.

Here we have a bottling of Beenleigh done in partnership with La Maison & Velier. This bottling was distilled in a single column still and redistilled in the distillery’s pot still in August and September of 2013. The rum was aged in ex-bourbon barrels in the Beenleigh warehouse before being bottled additive after 10 years of ageing.

Distillery: Beenleigh

Bottler: La Maison & Velier / Beenleigh

Region: Queensland, Australia

Cask: 10 Years ex-bourbon

ABV: 59%

Nose: Grapefruit, Vanilla, Coriander, plum, minerality, slight orange, cantaloupe, toasted coconut

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Grapefruit, Vanilla, Plum, Minerality, orange, Cantaloupe, Cherry

Finish:  Medium length finish, Grapefruit, River Rock, Anise, Raspberry, Vanilla, toasted coconut

Conclusion: This is a great release. I tend to really enjoy the Beenleigh profile. It’s very fruit heavy with a big wallop of grapefruit off the top. A bit of star anise, spices, and other fruits round it all out for a well balanced and delicious rum offering. It’s not out there or weird by any means, but a great and well executed rum release.

Final Score: 88

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.

2 thoughts on “Beenleigh 2013”

  1. Funny thing is, 50 years ago, Beenleigh was the rum an Australian man bought if he couldn’t afford Bundaberg. Plus a bottle of Bacardi for the sheilas.

    If you were truly desperate, you bought Frigate …

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