Review by: The Auditor

Review #1327; Rum #632

Here we have rum bottled by Velier from the now shuttered Nine Leaves distillery that was located in Otsu Japan. This bottle of rum was distilled from Kokuto sugar from Okinawa, it fermented for four days and was double distilled in two Forsyth’s Scottish pot stills. It then aged in ex-bourbon casks in two different warehouses. This rum was distilled in 2017 and is a blend of several casks that was bottle at between 6 and 7 years old with no additives.

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Distillery: Nine Leaves

Bottler: Velier

Region:  Japan

Still: Pot

ABV: 59%

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Nose: Green Apple, Red Berries, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg

Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Hay, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Brine, Nutmeg, Green Apple

Finish:  Medium length finish, Sharp, touch of oak spice, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Apple

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Conclusion: Quite good, but the oak is a little heavy on this for me on the finish. Which is rather surprising but I think I Like this distillate more on the unaged side. The fruits are nice and so are the spics, but that sharp bitter oak note comes out on the finish and brings it down for me.

Final Score: 85

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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.