Review by: The Auditor
This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached.
Review #1364; Rum #667
This is another 2025 release from dependent bottlers Habitation Velier. This rums comes from the Mhoba distillery in South Africa who produces rum from fresh pressed sugar cane juice. The fresh pressed juice is made from cane grown on the estate of the distillery. After being pressed the juice fermented for 28 days with wild yeast and dunder from previous distillations. A portion of the blend was fermented for 14 days. These were then distilled on a pot still and blended to create this bottling. Bottle at high proof with no additives.
Distillery: Mhoba
Bottler: Habitation Velier
Region: South Africa
Still: Pot
ABV: 62%
Nose: Olives, Brine, Sharpie Marker, Minerality, Allspice, Black Pepper, Roated Bell Pepper, Than Beef Bouillon
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Brine, Olives, Roasted Bell Pepper, Minerality, Rain Water, Black Pepper, hint of chili flake, Earthy, Beef Bouillon, Sharpie Marker
Finish: Long finish, Earthy, Lemon, Brine, Olives, Minerality, Rain Water, Chili Flake, Earthy, Beef Bouillon, Sharpie Marker
Conclusion: What an incredible bottling of Mhoba rum. This reminds me so much of those early Mhoba High ester original bottlings that never made it to the US and I lamented for years. This is a savory punch in the face of flavors. Its well balanced, drinks below its proof, and is just so damn good. 2025 is really shaping up to be the year of the unaged rum releases and I for one am all for it.
Final Score: 96
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.
Malt Runners 