Review #1509; Rum #808
This is the 3rd edition of the Cartier 30 release from the Krassel brothers. This aguardiente is fermented naturally and distilled in the Krassel column still. It is made from fresh pressed cane juice from java grown in Santa Maria Tlalixtac, Oaxaca 4,000 feet above sea level. Cartier scale refers to the alcohol strength and is around 70% abv. The Krassel still produce no heads or tails and the abv is regulated by the tempatures of the cooling chamber and the flow of the cane juice. This is bottled with no additives at still strength.
Distillery: Krassel Brothers
Bottler: Alambique
Region: Mexico
Still: Krassel Column
ABV: 71.9%
Nose: Cardamom, Nutmeg, Apple, Sharpie Marker, Minerality, Rain Water, Earthy, Grapefruit
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Sharpie Marker, Rain Water, Earthy, Grapefruit, Minerality, Apple, Slight Pear, Nutmeg, Cardamom
Finish: Long Finish, Sharpie, Earthy, Grapefruit, Apple, Nutmeg, Cardamom
Alambique is currently among the best distilleries out there and the Cartier 30 line is their best. This is a wonderful crisp and wild explosion of fruit. It drinks well for its proof, its pungent and fills the air but unlike a lot of stuff I tend to rate highly this is not a funky ester bomb. This is just an expertly crafted, well balanced, and incredible cane juice rum that should be on every rum lovers bar. It’s a modern classic in every sense of the word.
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.
Malt Runners 