Velier Mount Gilboa 2008 9 year

Review #1492; Rum #791

This is a bottle of rum from dependent bottlers Velier. This was part of the Khong series, a set of bottles with special art of Warren Khong to celebrate Velier’s 70th anniversary. This rum was distilled from molasses on a pot still at Mount Gilboa (Mount Gay), put into 3 ex-brandy casks, aged at origin for 9 years, and bottled at cask strength with no additives.

Distillery:  Mount Gay

Bottler:   Velier

Region: Barbados

Still: Pot

ABV: 66%

Nose: Raspberry, Red Currants, Black Tea, Vanilla, Orange Peel

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Raspberry, Red Currents, Black Tea, Vanilla, Nutty, Black Pepper, Coffee, Mint, Orange Peel

Finish: Medium length finish, Red Currants, Rancio, Mint, Black Tea, Raspberry, Orange Peel

Overall a great release here from Velier. This is unique compared to my limited tasting of other Mount Gilboa rums. The brandy cask leans a bit heavy at times but I quite like the flavor it brings. The fruits really pop here.

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.

Published by The Auditor

Unknown's avatar

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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