Review #1524; Rum #823
This is a single cask rum bottled by Great Shearwater, a new American independent bottler based out of Louisville, Kentucky. This rum was distilled from molasses on a column still in 2012. It is a heavier Trinidadian marque from Trinidad Distiller’s Limited. The rum aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon before being bottled at cask strength with no additives. This was bottled as a private selection for the Cane Spirit Collective.
Distillery: Trinidad Distillers Limited
Bottler: Great Shearwater
Region: Trinidad
Still: Column
ABV: 66%
Nose: Raspberry jam, Solvent, Nutmeg, Hydraulic Fluid, Dr. Pepper, Eucalyptus
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, Eucalyptus, Hydraulic Fluid, Dr. Pepper, Nutmeg, Star Anise, Raspberry jam, Peach
Finish: Medium length finish, Char, Eucalyptus, Hydraulic Fluid, Dr.Pepper, Nutmeg, Star Anise
As far as TDL’s, my favorites have been those early 2000 vintages that are long aged and really industrial forward. This one gets close to those and knocks it out of the park. There’s a nice fruit brightness that cuts through it with raspberry jam, but it’s still pretty dark and heavy. Loads of anise, Char, herbalness, and that mechanics garage hydraulic fluid, what an excellent rum.
Final Score: 91
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.
