S.B.S. Dominican Republic Consuelo Single Origin Rum. This is not my first review of a rum from S.B.S. (Single Barrel Selection), who are the Independent bottling arm of Danish spirits distributor 1423.

It is however my first review in their Origin Series. This series is described by 1423 as

“The 1423 S.B.S Origin Selection is a series of handpicked unaged rum specifically chosen for their powerful profile and flavor. The chosen rum and marks are well known from our aged 1423 Single Barrel Selection and we now offer the opportunity to taste the origin of our products in our 1423 S.B.S Origin Selection.”

To add a bit more information these rums are also being offered at Cask (or high strength at least) and come from a wide variety of producing nations, stills and styles. So it a far more interesting series than simply a flight of white 40% ABV rums….

I may be a little late to the party with some of these bottlings. I have a good selection of both unaged Origin Series and Aged S.B.S r(h)ums to get through. Samples have been generously supplied to me by the new UK distributor.

The first thing I noticed about the Origin Series is that they have gone far, far away from the distinctive S.B.S. style of presentation. Adopting a more Italian aesthetic. At first I thought opaque Velier style bottle but then I thought no its more Samaroli in style with the vibrant colourful artwork. Rather than the more clinical, austere Velier Style labelling. Which is interesting.

S.B.S. Dominican Republic Consuelo Single Origin Rum is noted as being a Pot Still rum made from Sugar Cane Juice. When I think of the rums from the Dominican Republic I am usually put in mind of Multi Columns and molasses based rums.

There have been various claims in the past that they use both Sugar Cane Juice and Molasses in rum production in the Dominican Republic. However, there is often creative marketing and things that get “lost in translation” when it comes to our Spanish speaking friends. Sugar Cane Honey is one such term which is open to interpretation.

We will go with what we have though – I’m not getting any involved in any conspiracy theories or offering my own views.

The rum was distilled in 2023 at Consuelo Distllery. This was the first rum to be distilled on their new Pot Stills. Exciting stuff. As far as I can see it was bottled in 2024 and was rested for between 2-4 months prior to this.

In the UK a 70cl bottle coming in at 57% ABV retailed at around £45. The Whisky Exchange did have stock but that is now sold out. It may be the secondary market that is the best place to find a bottle.

Price wise – I am quite surprised taking into account this is a Single Barrel/Cask offering. The 57% ABV alone would push its price up due to taxes. Even for an unaged white I think this is a very fair price. Especially as they haven’t scrimped when it comes to presentation!

Still regardless of the price it all comes down to how this one tastes. So lets get into that………….

On the nose S.B.S. Dominican Republic Consuelo Single Origin Rum gives you initally a quite Jamaican unaged like entry. Rotting sour fruit……..

Sounds inviting? Ha Well it is an aroma which many rum enthusiasts enjoy. Me included.

Slightly sour black banana, Pear Drops (English boiled sweets) and some over-ripe Pineapple and a touch of Mango.

More time in the glass reveals more of the sugar cane influence of this rum. So we start to get some agricole like notes.

These notes are a touch muted – not as bright and vibrant as you might get from unaged Cane Juice rum from Martinique or Guadaloupe. So rather than freshly cut grass it is more akin to recently mown grass – slightly damp and a little murky.

It’s interesting though and it blends nicely with the sweeter notes from the rotting fruit!

There is also a clean mineral like notes on this. All in all despite the descriptors not sounding the most appealing – I find this a very interesting and (for me at least) enjoyable nosing.

Sipped it is initially quite sweet with lots of sugar cane and grassy notes. It’s not sweet as in sweetened its more of a natural vegetal kind of sweetness. I really like it and I am pleasantly surprised by this.

There is a hint of sourness as well which gives it a bit of extra depth beyond the sweeter notes. Again its not as vibrant in terms of specific notes as a more traditional agricole rhum but it’s a very pleasant white rum to sip on.

Further sips reveal some more of the mineral/stony like notes – the Pear Drops notes sadly don’t come about too much in the sipping. A bit of a let down for me as I really like that Ethyl Acetate note!

The mid palate is relatively calm with some ginger and a tiny hint of aniseed.

Finish wise it isn’t the longest but the vegetal grassy notes takeover and whilst if finishes pretty quickly its a very nice palate cleanser.

As a mixer it is a nice little replacement for an unaged agricole. Albeit it an expensive one.

That said as far as I am concerned it more than fits the bill for a mid priced sipper. It is a million miles away from the likes of the White Barcelo and Brugal rums in terms of profile.