Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Secret Fiji Distillery Aged 8 Years. We return today with another review from Scottish Independent bottler Dràm Mòr. We are taking a visit to a (not so) Secret Distillery on Fiji.

Quite why the distillery insists on their rums being marked as “Secret” when bottled by Independents is beyond me. The South Pacific Rum Distillery is the only operational distillery on the Island, that I am aware of. Certainly the only one that has stocks of rum in Europe.

I’ve reviewed quite a few Independently bottled Fiji. I recall a disappointing 8 Year Old Fiji from Berry Bros and Rudd and some rather more impressive double digit aged offerings. It will be interesting to see how this one goes down.

Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Secret Fiji Distillery Aged 8 Years, is as already mentioned a product of the South Pacific Rum Distillery.  It is noted as having a “Rum Marque” of FPBP.

In all honesty, beyond guessing at the F being Fiji I have no clue what this marque means. Despite this rum having an 8 year age statement it is actually closer to being a 9 year old aged rum. It was put into the barrel/cask on the 10th May 2014 and was bottled in March 2023.

Information suggests this is a Molasses based Pot Distilled rum. The bottle notes that this has been aged in ex-bourbon casks and this is cask number #22. It still puzzles me that many “Indie” bottlers note the cask number rather than detail other more significant information. Especially as they offer no background as to what the specific cask number equates to. I’m often left with an image of Patrick McGoohan when I see these random numbers with no context. That said I’ve shared this information as well so I maybe shouldn’t be to critical!

Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Secret Fiji Distillery Aged 8 Years is bottled at a feisty 62% ABV – which I will as

sume to be cask strength. There are no additives or special sauces added to this rum. A 70cl bottle of this rum will set you back around £75 and despite this being a 2023 Spring Release you can still pick up a bottle from Master of Malt.

So that’s the boring bit done so why don’t we lift a glass and have a couple of tots?

In the glass Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Secret Fiji Distillery Aged 8 Years is a medium to light golden brown colour. It definitely looks much darker in the bottle.

The nose on this rum is very funky. It is easy to compare the South Pacific Rum Distillery’s output with Jamaican rums in terms of funk. However, I feel that SPRD rums have a cleaner, grassier kind of funk. A bit like a funkier agricole or Clairin.

What isn’t up for discussion though are the the “gluier” and wet clay like notes that this rum brings to the mix. There is a nice top note of varnish and maybe a little creosote. Beneath this we get a nice hit of bourbon – vanilla and some hints of breakfast tea. May be a touch of burnt banana and some papaya.

As you can see from my notes this is a very complex nose!

On the sip at 62% ABV, it drinks a little easier than it perhaps is safe! It ticks a lot of boxes for me in terms of funky, full bodied rum but it also has a softer undercurrent of fruity and sweet notes. Vanilla, blueberries, a touch of mango and some dark chocolate.

It also has a smoky note with a touch of leather. This rum really has a lot going on and it is hugely enjoyable. Miles away from the BBR Fiji 8 Year Old I reviewed some years back.

The mid palate build beyond the initial sip and you really do have a lot of rich complexity to deal with.

Finish wise it is again long and complex it is certainly a rum which you should take your time with. The finish lingers with an almost minty after taste and the funk and smoke just builds and builds.

There is so much going on with this rum and I would advise anyone who enjoys a good Rhum Agricole or a Jamaican rum to seek this out.

They do still fly a little below the radar, much like St Lucian rums. Criminally underrated. That said it means you can still pick these bottles up without hassle!