Down Island Ghana 2020

Review by: The Auditor

Review #1179; Rum #494

This is a cane juice rum from the town of Mimi, which is located in the Ahafo region of western Ghana. The unaged rum was sent to the Netherlands where it aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon before being bottled in Florida in 2024 with no additives.

Distillery: Mim Cashew and Agricultural Products

Bottler: Down Island

Region: Ghana

Cask: Ex-Bourbon

ABV: 62%

Nose: Brine, Vanilla, Nutty, Allspice, Lemon Juice, Guava

Palate:  Medium mouthfeel, Allspice, Nutty, Vanilla, Brine, Lemon Juice, Guava

Finish:  Long length finish, Nutty, Vanilla, Brine, Allspice, a bit vegetal, Lemon Juice, Guava

Conclusion: This is a great rum. Great variety of flavors, the nuttiness is welcome as are the tropical fruits and spices. I would have never expected to be drinking rum from Ghana but this is some impressive stuff. Based on research others have done, I think this comes from Mim Cashew and Agricultural Products; a farm (and distillery) which produces citrus, palm oil, and cashews.

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

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.

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