Westerhall Estate was once a bustling hive of sugar and rum production on the island of Grenada.  Nowadays the Estate offers a visitors centre to remind visitors of the rum and sugar production of the past.

Rum is still produced under the Westerhall Estate brand.  However, it is no longer rum made from native sugar cane, not is it made from rum distilled on the island.  Westerhall’s rums are made from rum imported from Trinidad, bottled and blended on the island.

Which is not really very unusual in the rum world.  Many producers only bottle and blend their products.  However, it is less common for this type of trade to occur between Caribbean Islands.

Westerhall Plantation Rum is in the middle of Westerhall’s range.  Westerhall are perhaps best known for their Jack Iron Overproof rums and their Vintage rum.  They have recently introduced and XO 10 Year Old rum which I will keep an eye out for.  Westerhall Plantation rum comes in a classy rounded stubby bottle.  It is 43% and it will set you back around £27 in the UK.

It is copper pot distilled and aged for 6 years in Bourbon casks.  It seems to pride itself on being “silky smooth”.  Something which I am always a little suspicious about.

The first thing that surprises me about Westerhall Plantation is just how light it is (lighter the their Superb Light Rum- work that one out!).  It is a straw colour (it is much lighter than it appears in the stock photo).

Initially, when poured in the glass the rum gives off quite a lot of alcohol on the nose.  However, give it a little time and it quickly subsides.  The nose is similar to an Angostura branded rum.  There is a nice buttery almost honeyed note on the nose.  Touch of vanilla and a little cashew.  It’s not a bad nose but it is a little young.  The “silky smooth” claims seems a little out of step as this doesn’t seem as smooth, as for instance, Doorly’s or Angostura’s 5 year old offerings.

Taking a small sip of the rum it does taste quite young.  It’s pretty fiery with a lot of upfront spice and some bitter woody notes.  It leaves an okay finish which is warming and quite subtle considering the heat of the rum initially on the palate.

A better size sip allows a lot more flavour to come out.  I am now experiencing some familiar vanilla notes and definite signs of slightly spicy oak ageing.  The sweetness on the palate is very short leaving a very oaky finish with quite a lot of spice.

It’s a pretty unremarkable rum if I’m buying honest.  Too similar to the Angostura 5 Year Old and VAT 19 to be able to really set it apart from those two cheaper rums.  I think I actually much preferred their own Superior Light Rum to this.

This isn’t a bad rum but it isn’t a very exciting rum either.  Unlike Clarkes Court’s Old Grog (also from Grenada) it doesn’t have anything exciting or different to recommend it.  It doesn’t do anything wrong as such – it can however be surpassed by less expensive rums.  It offers a very so-so sipping experience.

Which had me reaching for the cola.  Unsurprisingly like most average sippers it mixes quite well.  It makes a smooth rum and cola (some rums seem to be able to smooth out cola a little especially the mouthfeel) but it doesn’t offer a particularly exciting or punchy rum and cola.

This is a pretty middle of the road rum.  It doesn’t really capture my imagination and all in all is a pretty forgettable rum.  It’s functional and there isn’t a lot of bad things to say about it but maybe that in itself is the real problem.  I’m just pleased I only shelled out for a 50ml bottle!