Review by: Raygun

A quick note before anything else for the sake of transparency. This review was done with an industry sample provided free of charge, with no expectations beyond drinking them. As always, I do my best to provide my unbiased opinion, and readers can decide how they want to take this review. For more information, see our Ethics & Transparency statement.

Another series from LM&V showcasing rum from different parts of the world. I’m not too sure on how they differ from the Transcontinental Rum Line bottles, except the Flag Series seem to be older and single casks rather than vattings, with both tropical and continental aging. The Cambodia entry is a pot still molasses rum from Samai distillery in Phnom Penh. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Samai

Bottler: La Maison & Velier

Region/style: Cambodian pot still molasses rum

ABV: 48.7%. Cask strength. 

Age: 5 years in Cambodia and 3 years in Europe.   

Cask type: Ex-bourbon, 215 bottles

Color: 1.6 mahogany. Natural color and free of additives

Price: Can’t find a local price, but seems around $120-130

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Nose: That’s nice. Overripe fruit funk, notably pineapple and bananas, lime, and caramel.     

Palate: Thinner than I’d like here even at cask strength. Similar borderline overripe fruit and an interesting spice character. Hard to put my finger on. Cumin is close, and dried lime. Vanilla.  

Finish: Reasonably robust on the finish despite the soft palate. More spice; now I’m getting some cardamom and green peppercorn. More vanilla as well.     

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Conclusion: Nice. Usually a lower ABV shows most in a weak finish, but the finish here was actually pretty strong. I wanted a little more from the palate. Still, it offers some good flavor and a distinctive kind of profile. I would have thought five years of tropical aging in a humid climate like Cambodia would result in a higher ABV, like Amrut, but this is pretty low. Would be curious to try more from Samai. elease.

Score: 78

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent rum 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.