Review #1491; Rum #790

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. This was the leftover bottle from a tasting I was unable to attend, and a friend held this for me to try.

This is a single cask of rum bottled by American independent bottlers Raising Glasses. This rum came from the now closed Roulaision distillery that was located in New Orleans. The rum was distilled from molasses on pot stills after a 90 day fermentation and is queen’s share (a blend of cuts redistilled into a batch). The rum then aged for 7 years in a Cabernet / Zinfandel Red wine cask before being bottled with no additives.

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Distillery: Roulaison

Bottler: Raising Glasses

Region: New Orleans, USA

Still: Pot

ABV: 58.3%

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Nose: Raisins, Menthol, Star Anise, Raspberries

Palate: Thick Oily Mouthfeel, Raisins, Raspberries, Menthol, Star Anise, Marzipan, and Cinnamon

Finish: Medium Length Finish, Raisins, Raspberries, Menthol, Marzipan, Candied Lemon Peel, Cinnamon

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The cask finish here is quite heavy but not overpowering. The fruits and spices combine to make a great flavor profile of stewed fruits, a bit of menthol and star anise, with a dash of oak to round it all together. It’s really quite sad that Roulaison closed as this bottle demonstrates how their stuff in heavy casks and getting some good age on it for an American rum.

Final Score: 88

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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.