Kill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years – The Whisky Barrel Exclusive

Bythefatrumpirate

Kill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years The Whisky Barrel Rum Review by the fat rum pirateKill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years. Another collaboration between Hunter Laing’s Kill Devil Rum Range and online Whisky retailer The Whisky Barrel. Once again they have teamed up to bottle another Jamaican Pot Still rum from the Hampden distillery.

Those familiar with Kill Devil rums will be aware that those that have the reddish/purple lozenge on the bottle are Cask Strength. (The grey lozenge indicates diluted to 46% ABV)

It makes sense that a rum exclusive to a Whisky Retailer is bottled at such a strength. Whisky Collectors are very familiar with Cask Strength offferings and often turn their nose up at “diluted” offerings. Especially anything below 46%.

Kill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years retails at a very exact £75.61. It has been bottled at 62.5% ABV. 270 bottles have been produced form one single cask. A sister cask to the other 10-year-old release earlier this year.  It was distilled  back in 2007. Unfortunately, I am unsure what “marques” of rum were produced at Hampden that year. This is a 100% Pot Still rum which has been partly (mostly) aged in Europe. It was distilled in November 2007.

Rums from Hampden Distillery are becoming increasingly popular. Clearly The Whisky Barrel are doing very well bottling these rums as they have another 16 Year Old cask available. A review of that release will follow very soon.

I have really enjoyed The Whisky Barrel exclusives and I am in good company because Serge of WhiskyFun has also enjoyed them as has Steven James from Rum Diaries Blog. I would recommend visiting both those sites as they are very knowledgeable when it comes to rum.

In the glass the 10-year-old rum is a light golden brown. A shade more than straw but still quite light.

The nose is a lot of things but “light” is not one. Like the 9 and 10 year olds previously bottled for the Whisky Barrel this is a very pungent, fruity and powerul Jamaican Pot Still Rum. Anyone thinking Plantation’s recent Xaymaca release is “funky Pot Still Jamaican Rum” really needs to try something like this – I am sure they will re-assess what “funk” really is.

Kill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years The Whisky Barrel Rum Review by the fat rum pirateYou can smell this at twenty paces. Huge wafts of ripe juicy Pineapple, Banana and even some Passion Fruit notes. A little bit of Tropical Crush style pop. Some notes of overbrewed English breakfast tea lineup alongside some toast and melting butter.

This is followed by string almost tannic red wine like notes. lighter fuel and some hints of tobacco.

It’s a fantastic full-bodied nose and one which I could delve into for hours.

If I didn’t know how tasty the liquid was………

Sipped this is quite a high ester rum – it’s very dry on the palate for the first sip or two. There is quite a lot of oak and spicy bourbon like notes. Ginger, cinnamon and some fennel. Further sips reveal more of the fruitiness that was on the nose. You get plenty of the Pineapple and banana notes on the sip which fade out into the mid palate leaving you with more of the oak aged notes and the spiciness. There is a heavy top note like petrol which, whilst it may sound unpleasant is something I enjoy a lot.

The mid palate and the finish are quite smoky – almost a touch of peat. Plenty of Pipe smoke and tobacco as well. It’s not the longest finish though. Much like the Velier Hamdpen Diamond this is perhaps a touch on the dry side and does leave the finish feeling a little short.

At 62.5% ABV it is perhaps a little bit too much for my palate. Certainly a few drops of water to bring it down to around 50-55% ABV certainly helps with this rum. It definitely opens it up and makes it a much more forgiving sipper. The fruity flavour has more time to develop – you get some white grape and a touch of gooseberry to compliment the Pineapple and Banana.

The spiciness and the dry finish tone down giving a more flavourful experience overall on the palate. The finish is now less intense but longer – I do wonder if at 62.5% ABV my palate shut down a little due to the intensity.

Kill Devil Jamaica Hampden Distillery Aged 10 Years The Whisky Barrel Rum Review by the fat rum pirateIf you want the full experience of this rum then dial it down a touch with some water. It really does open it up.

Also if you want to be a complete heathen this makes an absolutely belting Rum and Coke. You need very little for flavour so you can use a less pungent rum to add to the booze level.

This is another excellent bottling of Hampden rum, it is perhaps when reviewing rums like this that I need a more precise scoring system. I suspect I may sound overly critical at times.

I’d give this 94.5 out of 100 (with any luck The Whisky Barrel might include my scores in future press releases rather just Serge’s)……or

 

 

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  • Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum Aged 15 Years by Velier

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Caroni Aged 15 Years Rum Review by the fat rum pirateCaroni Aged 15 Years is the older brother of the Aged 12 Years I reviewed earlier.  Both bottlings by Velier standards are relatively inexpensive.

    Both rums are example of the “heavy” style of Caroni/Trinidad rum.  Angostura do not produce “heavy” style rum under their own banner.

    This rum was distilled in 1998 and bottled affer 15 years in 2013. In the UK a bottle of this rum costs around £55 – which is reasonable for any 15 year old rum.  Let alone a piece of history.  It is botled at 104 proof on the label – 52% ABV.

    Like the 12 Year Old is comes in the 1940’s vintage style Caroni bottle.  As with most things Velier it comes in an opaque bottle. The 12 came in a see through traditional glass bottle  The retro feel of the bottle adds a nice touch.  It is halfway between a stubby bottle and a tall wine style bottle.  A 3/4 bottle if you like.

    I’ve reviewed another similarly aged Caroni – an independent bottling from Scotland by the name of Ancient Mariner.  This rum was designed to replicate the taste of Navy issue rum.  That was aged for 16 years.  I am expecting a rum with more in common with that bottling than the 12 Year Old Velier.  Having said that this is rum so anything goes and I could be very wrong…………

    In the glass the rum is noticeably darker than the 12 year old – a good shade or two darker.  A very nice copper colour where the 12 was almost gold/straw.

    Velier Caroni Aged 15 years rum review by the fat rum pirateThe nose is familiar Caroni – however it is less smoky than some Caroni’s,  It is much less “petrol-ey” than the 12 Year Old.  It is more rounded with more fruit and a lot less of the more “intense” industrial notes that some Caroni’s have.

    Zesty marmalade and lemon rind give the rum a fruity note. This runs nicely alongside the heavier notes of oak and the almost varnish aroma that is common with heavier Caroni’s.

    The rum is sippable even at 52% and offers a very complex sip.  Dried fruits – almost a sweet raisin note are alongside more flavours of zesty orange and lemon peel. Less of the slightly astringent smoky and petrol like notes.

    The 12 and 15 variants of these rums aren’t brothers – they come from different molasses distilled in different years.  This 15 year old was distilled in 1998 and aged in Trinidad until 2013.  It was then moved to Scotland to be bottled.  It was released in 2014 and bottles of this are still available.   The 12 year old was distilled in 2000 from the last of the Trinidad molasses.

    I prefer this to the 12 year old.  Both the added complexity of the fruitiness in the profile and the smoother overall profile of the rum.  It’s a rum which offers a lot of complexity and shows yet again just how much of an impact tropical ageing can have on a spirit.

    Velier Caroni 15 year old rum review by the fat rum pirateThis rum is available at a really competitive price point.  I feel its relatively low price may be why it hasn’t yet sold out.  It really does seem in some ways to good to be true.  I’m not sure how many bottles of this rum were available from the start.  I suspect it is a blend of Caroni rums that have been married at a young age and matured together.  I could be wrong about this – its just a guess really as “single barrel” etc is not denoted and it may explain the lower price point? Possibly a lot more bottles

    This is another top notch bottling from Velier and it really is a step up from the 12 year old.  My review of the 12 year old is one of the most viewed on the site and consistently gets views every day.  I sincerely hope that a few of you read this review and decide to buy this rum while you still can.

    You won’t be disappointed.

    4.5 stars

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tomahawk Maple Cream

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Tomahawk Maple Rum Cream review by the fat rum pirateTomahawk Maple Cream is a rum cream.  Many cheaper “Irish Cream” type drinks are mixtures of cream, sugar neutral spirits or even wine in some instances.

    Tomahawk Maple Cream hails from Quebec, Canada and is a blend of cream, sugar, spices, the very best (of course) Maple Syrup and rum.

    Legend has it that ancient Native American warriors would participate in games of skill before battle. One of these games consisted of throwing Tomahawks with precision and might against surrounding trees. The winner would relinquish his Tomahawk within the tree as a sign of respect. Maple sap was later discovered dripping from the Tomahawk blade. That moment began the great tradition of Maple Syrup and helped shape Canada’s identity as a nation.

    Which is a nice little marketing story and explains the identity of this particular drink which is just starting to make some waves in the UK.  It is available at both The Whisky Exchange and Gerry’s. Priced at around £20 it comes in a sleek black slightly wide bottomed almost champagne like bottle.  The presentation is uncluttered and unfussy.  It is bottled at 15% ABV putting it very much in liqueur territory.  For those who enjoy Maple Syrup there is also a more potent 32% Maple Whisky available from the same brand.

    I personally don’t have a lot of experience of Canada’s breakfast favourite, Maple Syrup – the idea of eating (or is it drinking?) such sickly sweet fayre at such an early hour makes me feel slightly queasy!  I went into this review with memories from a time I cannot quite recollect which meant my brain was telling me I don’t like Maple Syrup.

    So I approached this particular offering with trepidation.

    Which in all fairness and as this review will show – was unfair.  I have reviewed a couple of rum creams lately.  I feel that they are “different” enough to give a little variety to my “straight” rum reviews but still maintain the whole “rum” ethos.  I certainly won’t be venturing into other spirits as some have. I could do an occasional whiskey or even vodka but I see little point.

    In theory making a basic rum cream should be very fairly easy – rum, cream, sugar and some spices.  I’ve enjoyed a glass or twenty two of Bailey’s over the years but in all honesty I have took just as much pleasure from much cheaper “Irish Creams”.  Sweet, sickly and viscous they all hit the spot when that’s what you fancy.  However, with rum creams and liqueurs I have found greater disparity.  Efforts such as Rum Chata have been given a very big thumbs down.  Cinnamon – no thanks.

    So here goes – first up is the appearance.  Light greyish, brown typical of a rum or IrishTomahawk Maple Rum Cream review by the fat rum pirate cream.  Viscous a quick swirl saw it really stick to the glass and run back down very slowly.  All pretty much in order and what I was expecting.

    The nose on Tomahwak also didn’t offer any great surprises – I expected it to be sicklier like Maple Syrup, it was sweet but not quite as sweet as I had envisaged.  It reminds me very much of the Worthy Park Rum Cream.  Despite all the sweet sugary notes and nice balanced spices you can still taste a nice, almost Demerara rum note.  Big brown sugar notes and some nice sweet spices.

    Unsurprisingly at 15% it is very easy to drink and slips down far too easily.  It’s very sweet, viscous and it is what it is.  If its a fine rum you are after – this is not for you.  If like me you enjoy an occasional sweet treat with a bit of rummy hit – this is the drink for you.  The Maple Syrup element seems to give the rum cream a lot of its sweetness but it works with the rum rather than overpowering, it with sickly, cloying sugary notes.  It adds a nice depth of flavour giving you lots of Demerara sugar, a little honey, nice vanilla and caramel notes.Tomahawk Rum Cream review by the fat rum pirate

    I haven’t had a lot of rum cream but this is up there with those sampled so far.  It turns out that at the base of this rum cream is a 3 year old white rum.  The Maple Syrup used is also decent quality – Grade A ranking (the highest available).  As a result it is much better than I was expecting.  If you are concerned about the Maple Syrup – don’t be it really doesn’t make the drink too sickly sweet at all.

    A tasty sweet treat and a nice change of pace.

    4 stars

  • J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel

    Bythefatrumpirate

    J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel Rum Review by the fat rum pirateJ Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel. Today we return to Lamb Holm in the Orkney Isles for the latest release in J Gow’s “Wild Yeast Series”. For those of you who have been following this page, over the past few years the J Gow Brand from VS DIstillers should be familiar.

    I have been following their journey for some time now. We are now increasingly seeing the fruits of their “aged” casks.

    Firstly I will apologise to you the readers and to Collin of VS Distillers. Collin very kindly sent me a message with a load of detail about this release. However, when I have come to write this review I cannot for love nor money find the damn thing! So we are going with the information which is on the bottle and what I can find online. Which is still pretty substantial.

    J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel. Lets unpick that first. As mentioned already this is a rum in the J Gow “Wild Yeast Series”.

    The rum has been fermented with yeast isolated from Northern Marsh Orchids (NMO),that grow beside the distillery on Lamb Holm. Subject to a d 30 Day fermentation. Once distilled the rum has been aged in second fill Moscatel octaves for 3 full Scottish years. Bottled at Lamb Holm. The rum comes in at 58.8% ABV 70cl. Limited to 265 bottles. A bottle will set you back around £60.

    We’ve covered J Gow in numerous reviews before this so with the information exhausted on this particular bottling we might as well get on with the fun part………

    In the glass the rum is light brown colour – a shade or two deeper than straw. The nose on this rum is surprisingly fruity. Quite acidic and white wine like. Gooseberries, white grapes and some grapefruit come through initially.J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    Further nosing reveals more of the molasses influence – toffee and a touch of aniseed. There is a nice “freshness” about this rum. It’s very aromatic with some all spice and ginger coming into the mix.

    There is a nice oak note as well but again its quite “fresh”. There is nothing musty or old about this bottling.

    J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel when sipped initially delivers a very “malty” experience. It’s warming and very comforting. Beneath this we are getting the Moscatel cask influence.

    Again the sweeter wine notes pull through. White grape and Grapefruit especially. Some Pineapple as well.

    There is a slightly bitter note as well which helps bring some of the sweetness back in line stopping it becoming uneven.

    The mid palate shows more of the wood and oak influence. The cask ageing has had a dramatic influence on this distillate I feel. This is a very complex rum with a lot going on. It is amongst the best rum I have had so far from J Gow and the UK scene.J Gow Wild Yeast Series NMO 2021 Moscatel Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    There are notes of ginger, all spice a touch of fennel. Alongside are some lighter notes almost bordering on some cinnamon. The molasses notes fade away in the mid palate and cask takes centre stage.

    As we move into the finish the rum becomes a touch on the smoky side. It is woody but not overly so. The finish is long and lingering with lots of fruit zest – lemon and lime along with a chunk of oak and a touch of smokiness.

    The finish is long and really satisfying. I’ve really enjoyed this rum. It is a really good sipper and I won’t be using it for any other purpose. I’m not even going to do a “review” rum and cola.

    I’m keeping this for “best”.

    Great stuff

  • Neptune Rum Caribbean Spiced

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Neptune Rum Spiced Caribbean review by the fat rum pirateNeptune Rum Caribbean Spiced. You’ve likely seen plenty of Neptune Rum over the past few years. They have “won” numerous awards around the world. I’m not really a particularly a big fan of the “Pay to Play” award ceremonies and their associated marketing. That said, if I was launching a rum brand I’d probably enter a few just to see what benefits they might have.

    The Original Neptune Rum is a Barbados Rum distilled at Foursquare Rum Distillery. It doesn’t however has ties and connections to the distillery in the way The Real McCoy and the Velier collaborations work. From what I understand the rum is sourced via a third party.

    Towards the back end of 2020, I noticed Neptune has released a Spiced Rum. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I do feel that Spiced Rum especially in the UK with brands such as Dead Man’s Fingers is increasingly moving more towards being “Flavoured” Rum rather than authentic Spiced Rum.

    A lot of people who label themselves as “rum drinkers” really aren’t drinking these spiced/flavoured rums because they taste like rum. Most drink them for the sugary flavours contained within. I do wish we could do more to keep the categories separate and convince those drinking these flavoured concoctions that they are drinking the spirit equivalent of an alco-pop.

    Anyway, upon perusing the bottle of Neptune Rum Caribbean Spiced, I noticed that they are talking of this being an “infusion” of spices. I’ve also been advised that no sugar has been added to the product. So the flavours are all coming from the infused spices in the rum. The hydrometer bobbed at 35% ABV so we have around 9g/L of addtives in this. Not much at all for a Spiced Rum.

    I’ve not asked about the base rum for this one. I assume it is Barbados Rum – whether it is as aged as the regular Neptune I don’t know. They might just be infusing the same rum or perhaps using a younger product. It’s difficult to tell when it’s a Spiced Rum. Personally I always find it a bit odd when companies use aged rum (sometimes up to 8 years old) in a Spiced Rum. It’s certainly not something I would do!

    Neptune Rum Caribbean Spiced review by the fat rum pirateNeptune is readily available in the UK from a number of retailers Master of Malt are currently stocking a 70cl bottle for £27.95. You can also order from Neptune directly – they have a few different bottles sizes, branded glassware etc. Neptune Rum Caribbean Spiced is bottled at 37.5% ABV.

    The rum has been infused with Papya, Damiana (a small shrub), Vanilla and Cinnamon

    In the glass Neptune Rum Spiced Caribbean is a gold colour. A typical “Golden” rum colour. The nose is clean with notes of mint and menthol. It’s fresh with an underlying but very gentle soft vanilla note underneath.

    Further nosing reveals a very fruity note a bit like Juicy Fruit chewing gum. It’s quite nice with a good whiff of decent rum as well. Sure its a sweet nose but its not overbearing or cloying in anyway.

    There aren’t many Spiced Rums I could sit and sip. Due mainly to the cloying vanilla and sugar nature of them. This however reminds me of Foursquare Spiced Rum. I’m not usually much of a fan of vanilla and especially cinnamon but these are dealt with in a more subtle manner with this spiced rum. It’s light and gently spiced.

    Unusually, for a Spiced Rum I find it doesn’t work that well with cola. It doesn’t get lost completely but I found it a lot more enjoyable when mixing it with tonic or lemonade. The subtler nature of this Spiced Rum made for a really pleasaNeptune Rum Caribbean Spiced review by the fat rum piratent long drink.

    I’ve found this to be a welcome change from Cask Strength rum and more challenging sippers. It’s a change of pace. I know a lot of Rum Afficionados don’t drink Spiced Rum. That is their choice.

    I can’t say I buy a lot of it. I do occasionally because I think the review will be popular. At times they can be quite amusing to write about when they are truly awful. Which a lot are!

    Thankfully, though this is certainly one of the better more “authentic” Spiced Rums out there.

     

     

     

     

  • Foursquare Rum Distillery Criterion

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Criterion Rum Review by the fat rum pirateFoursquare Rum Distillery Criterion is the latest rum in their Exceptional Cask Selection.  It seems that in the Foursquare world it never rains but it pours.  Just last year we were spoilt with numbers 3 and 4 in the Exceptional Cask Selection and the “controversial” Foursquare 2006.

    Once again Mr Seale (and to a lesser extent) Mr Gargano have conspired to ensure we get a couple of Foursquare releases in quick succession.  As if the recently re-vamped R L Seale’s 10 Year Old and the plethora of Indie bottlings haven’t been enough for me lately. Not to mention the very generous (and very touching I must add) bottle of Old Brigand from Steve over at Rum Diaries Blog, obtained for me whilst in Barbados.  I’m considering re-naming the site The Foursquare Rum Pirate…..

    I do not believe the re-invigoration of Foursquare Rum Distillery over the past couple of years and the rise in the popularity of “pure” additive free rum is a coincidence. Richard has worked hard with Luca to promote this, alongside the Gargano Rum Classification. They have also set up the collective which is known as The Guardians of Rum.  You do not apply to be a member of this group you are chosen.  You should wear your badge with pride.  As one of the Guardians you may think I am biased towards Foursquare.

    And you would be right to think that.  I am hugely biased as they consistently put out fantastic rum.  At the same time I will always honestly evaluate their products.

    Anyway lets look at what we are getting this time.  Criterion is a rum which as been aged for ten years in ex-Bourbon and Madeira casks.  It is a Single Blended Rum of Pot and Column distillates.  It was bottled in April 2017 and has an ABV of 56%.  The rum was initially aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon before being further matured for 7 years in very old (Richard’s words) ex-Madeira wine casks.

    The rum is the fifth release in the Exceptional Cask Series and the first to have a cork stopper.  A lot of people have moaned about Foursquare using screw caps for their Doorly’s and Exceptional Cask Series.  So finally we have a cork, albeit it synthetic.

    The rum is one of only 2000 bottles.  Discussion online has thrown up varying figures of how many are available worldwide.  This is just the European edition from what I understand.  The US bottling will presumably be in 750ml bottles so may have its own number run.  Which is fine.  I’ve picked up enough to keep me going for now.

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Criterion rum review by the fat rum pirateCurrently Criterion is only available in the UK from the Whisky Exchange.  It retails at £56.95.  Which I think is more than a reasonable price to pay for a Cask Strength 10 Year Old rum.  Especially when you know how well Foursquare blends their rums.

    Criterion –  a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided. Richard has went for slightly cryptic names for his recent releases.  He wasn’t comfortable calling another rum a “finish” when it has been matured and Zinfandel Cask Blend wasn’t exactly very snappy either.

    Anyway lets move onto the review and see what the liquid inside is like.

    In the glass the rum is a orange/reddish/brown.  The rum has no colour added to it. The colour is down to the time spent in the barrel.

    Nosing the rum you get a very nicely balanced spirit.  Even at 56% there is no overwhelming strong alcohol notes.  It is unmistakably a Foursquare rum.  Even amongst Bajan rums I can still pick out something from Foursquare.  The overall balance just always seems a touch better than the likes of Cockspur and even Mount Gay.

    There is a really nice richness to the nose.  The Madeira cask has left its mark but it isn’t as sweet smelling as the Port cask.  It is not quite as fruity as the Zinfandel Blend either.  The Madeira cask has instead imparted a rich deep almost red wine/grape like note with a really deep hit of oak and raisin.  The Bourbon notes so prevalent in the 2004 Foursquare are way down the mix with this blend.

    Sipped Criterion is surpringly easy to drink even at Cask Strength.  A drop or two of water do it no harm either.  It’s quite intense so you can dial it down to around 46% with water and you won’t feel you are missing out.

    On the initial sip it is to begin very sweet.  On the tongue it is very sweet. Once yourFoursquare Rum Distillery Criterion rum review by the fat rum pirate taste buds get a hold of the rum you begin to appreciate more the complexity of the blend.  The zesty/spicy bourbon notes muted on nosing are there.  Reassuring and familiar but they are carried long with a rich deep smoky oak.  Which in turn are presented alongside some rich raisin and an almost sherried note.

    Like the Port and Zinfandel rums that went before this Criterion is classic Foursquare but with a very definite twist.

    Finish wise Criterion offers a long and satisfying experience.  Again great balance, strong oak notes and plenty fruit and spicy zest.  Whether you will fully appreciate it or go for another sip is another matter.  It’s very moorish.

    You could look at my reviews and conclude that I really like Foursquare rums.  You could say I’m a bit of a “fan-boy”.  If anyone does think I maybe overrate their juice giving another of their rums a perfect score my reply is simple…..

    Name some better rums than this, ones that I also haven’t rated very highly.

    This stuff is world class and a true representation of what a premium rum should and more importantly CAN be.

    When rum is as good as this it is indeed FUN!

  • Rum Exchange Belize 2009

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Rum Exchange Belize 2009 Rum Review by the fat rum pirateRum Exchange Belize 2009. For those unfamiliar with Rum Exchange, they were responsible for bottling two Jamaican 5 year old rums last year. They return this year with a Single Cask offering from Travellers Distillery, Belize. They have also just released a Guyana rum, with a Single Cask offering from Barbados due later in the year.

    As with the two Jamaican releases, Rum Exchange Belize is a Single Cask Rum, bottled at Cask Strength. As far as I am aware Travellers Distillery operates only column stills. This is noted as being “double column still”. Whether that is double distilled or  distilled in a “double” column still I’m not entirely sure. It is noted online that Travellers do double distilll their rums. So perhaps its more likely that.

    Rum Exchange have their own website. However, the rums are not available there at present as it is still being re-vamped. It is available online at various stores throughout the EU. It retails at around €80-85. Rum Exchange Belize 2009 has been bottled, as mentioned already, at cask strength. Coming in this time at a hefty 60.8% ABV.

    It was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2019. If you are in the UK and looking for something a little closer to home then Craft Rum Club have it for sale though it is a bit pricier at £105. The single cask has yielded 252 bottles and the entire maturation took place in ex-bourbon barrels. It is also noted as being 100% tropically aged. I assume in Belize but you just never know……

    I’ve not reviewed all that many Belizean rums. To be honest I tend to avoid the “standard” Travellers range due to an early (and very confected) disappointment with One Barrel Rum. An early and at the time for me, costly mistake.

    I also wasn’t too impressed with Tiburon Rum. Offerings from FAIR and That Boutiquey Rum Company and Cadenhead’s did however fair (pun intended) better. It’s interesting Rum Exchange Belize 2009 Rum Review by the fat rum pirateto note that all these bottlings come in at around the 10 year old mark.

    That said I have noticed a few noted enthusiasts giving some more recent bottlings og Belize rums quite rave reviews online in Facebook groups etc. haven’t noticed a great deal of actual reviews from fellow bloggers though.

    In the glass we have a golden brown spirit with a reddish/orange hue.

    Nosewise I am getting a lot of toasted coconut and vanilla. A bit of charred oak but nothing that throws anything of balance. Even at 60.8% ABV, it is quite light and nicely balanced. Further nosing reveals a little bit more wood influence. The toasted coconut is getting close to Coconut Ice – sweet but not overbearingly so.

    Milk chocolate and some rich breakfast pastries. Warm and inviting is the best way to describe this rum.

    Sipped, Rum Exchange Belize 2009 is not as sweet as the nose suggests. It has a lot more wood and a lot more of a dry mouthfeel. The initial entry is quite dry and woody but it quickly moves into a lighter more flavourful mid palate. Lots of vanilla and white chocolate. There is a nice hit of barrel char and some good spicy oaky, Bourbon like notes.

    It’s a nicely balanced rum that is much more “Barbados” than the previous Belizean rums I have had. I can certainly see why some rum enthusiasts have been getting excited about Belizean rum recently.

    Rum Exchange Belize 2009 Rum Review by the fat rum pirateAt this ABV it has a good length and a really nice dry, peppery finish. There is a sweetness – vanilla custard running throughout this rum but it’s very nice and never gets too sweet.

    A really pleasant surprise and the first Belize rum that rises above the ranks of average and good in my books. This is very good. Very interesting. It reminds me of both English Harbour and Mount Gay rums in equal measure.

    Not bad company to be keeping. Rum Exchange Belize 2009 is a particularly good example of a column distilled rum. None of those nasty additives either.

3 Comments

  1. Many thanks for all your reviews especially these Whisky Barrel exclusives. I got the original 10YO Whisky Barrel exclusive based on your review and I loved it. My first Hampden rum and am now on my 3rd bottle. Was tempted to get this sister cask but ended up getting 2 more bottles of the original due to the price (£13 cheaper). The original is now sold out. How does this one compare to the original, or is it pretty much the same?

    On another note I missed out on the first 16 year old release, but not this time so got 2 bottles of the sister cask. Look forward to reading your review on it – I personally think it is pretty stunning. Combined I feel the 10YO and 16YO are really great – 10YO for raw power and funkiness, and the 16YO for great balance between the raw spirit and cask influence. Same distillery but different results which makes things interesting and adventurous. For me the best drams I have had all year so far (whisky included).

    Lastly congrats on getting recognition on Whisky Barrel’s facebook page.

    1. Hello Tom only just noticed your message. Review will be coming soon. It’s great the Whisky Barrel seek my opinions on their bottlings and long may that partnership continue! Thanks for reading and enjoy your rum

  2. I was just about to tell you off for re-reviewing but low and behold we have another Kill Devil Hampden 10. I kind of admire their chutzpah for doing it. The earlier 10 yr was challenging but ultimately quality stuff. I don’t mind if there’s another barrel lurking about. This is just the sort of thing to get Serge excited – and us.

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