Source: Acquired in a trade.
Stats: Hailing from the South Pacific Distillery in Fiji, this molasses-based, pot distilled rum was aged in the Philippines from 2004 to 2016 and then shipped to England and finished in an American oak cask for 4 more years. Bottled at 66.8% ABV this rum yielded 214 bottles and is without filtering, coloring, additives or dilution of any kind. Selected via blind tasting with a panel of tasters from r/Rum and Aficionados.
Nose: Elmer’s glue, packing peanuts, petrol, baking spice, vanilla.
Mouth: Rich, hot, spicy. The proof seems to diminish the complexities. I don’t normally add water to any high proof spirit but feel this needs to be “opened up.” With a few drops H2O, the mouthfeel becomes thin and oily. Much sweeter. Butterscotch. Mild spice. Still doesn’t deliver like I hoped it would.
Impressions: I’ve previously had young Fiji’s from Berry’s and TCRL and older stocks from Plantation and Holmes Cay. While some were significantly better than others, none have really knocked my socks off, and this release is no exception. I appreciate the unadulterated nature, high proof, and long aging of this bottling but I’m just not finding the excitement I crave from a sipping rum at this price point.
Score: 3
My scale:
1 – I don’t want this in my mouth ever again
2 – Best used for mixing
3 – Decent sipper
4 – Very enjoyable
5 – I’m buying a back up bottle
Austin Rum Society 