Transcontinental Rum Lines – Trinidad 2001 – 19 Year Old Rum – 66.8%

Transcontinental Rum Lines – Trinidad 2001 – 19 Year Old Rum – 66.8%

Source: Sample graciously provided to me by a fellow r/rum pal.

Stats: This is a blend of two barrels that aged for 17 years in Trinidad in ex-Bourbon casks followed by two additional years in Europe. It’s a column distillate and a very limited release from TCRL that did not arrive in my market.

Conditions: I fully intended to split my 1 ounce sample into two sittings but 2 minutes after I finished my initial pour I decided I needed more. So this is the result of one sitting, drank neat in a Glencairn over the course of maybe 30 minutes.

Nose: Hay, fresh cane juice, eucalyptus, shoe store, vanilla bean, grated nutmeg, humidor

Mouth: Spicy rye notes, lots of well integrated wood with no bitter tannins, melted caramel, some pot still-like funk, tart lemon, lingering tree bark that turns into cigarette ash then leaves a mentholy, effervescent like finish that minutes later presents itself as sandalwood.

Final Thoughts: What a rollercoaster ride! I had trouble registering the first sip. It was an unexpected whirlwind that evolved endlessly into a cornucopia of flavors. What is perhaps most shocking is how easy this sips at around 67%. And the finish just hangs around forever. I’m not a big fan of Caroni or really any Trini rum I’ve tried but this has certainly piqued my interest. I wish there was more of this available and it could be found in my market. Perhaps my favorite TCRL to date. Would love to spend more time with this.

My Rating: 4

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