El D
orado Rare Collection Albion 2004. Guyanese rum powerhouses Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) caused a bit of a stir in the rum world a few years back when they first released their “Rare Collection” rums.
It is more than a little odd that the actual distillery and producers of Demerara rum, released in the 2000’s and 2010’s are not the ones who take the credit for the best bottlings.
El Dorado Rare Collection Skeldon 2000. The only rums I have seen in my rum “career” that denote Skeldon are the Velier 1973 and 1978 releases. Which are long gone except for those with very deep pockets. As any rum blogger will attest researching Demerara Rums is on the most complicated and time-consuming pursuits. Excellent work by the likes of Marco Freyr of Barrel Aged Mind have helped with this. I will once again recommend reading his huge article on
Velier Skeldon 1973 Full Proof Old Demerara Rum. One of the oldest rums, both in terms of when it was distilled and the length of time it was aged, I have reviewed so far. This is also one of the rarest. It was one of the earlier Velier bottlings originally released back in 2005. Long before I had become serious about rum.
Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel. Another collaboration, between one of London’s finest independent bottlers and one of Scotland’s finest rum and whisky retailers.
Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum has been around for some time. (At least 15 years I can hear someone saying……) I first reviewed it a few years ago. I do intend to re-review some of the rums I have covered going forward. To be honest, Pusser’s 15 Year Old was one that would have had that treatment bestowed upon it anyway – miniatures of the rum are readily available. Which makes it easier on the wallet.
Dos Maderas 5+5 PX. Dos Maderas are a rum producer from Spain. The rum is blended at one of the biggest wineries in Europe, the Jerez de la Frontera. Which owned by Williams and Humbert who are more famous for producing Sherry and “Brandy de Jerez”.
Lamb’s Demerara Navy Rum. I don’t know exactly when this was bottled. Research has shown that this style of bottle was available in the 1970’s (and before). The UK largely stopped using their own “proof” calculation in 1980 and began showing the ABV rather than the proof. Whilst this is noted as 70 proof on the bottle, it’s the old “British” style proofing so it translates to 40% ABV. The same ABV Lamb’s Navy Rum is today.