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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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April 26, 2026 |
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The Rum Sessions,
today just a few more rums, some funny |
After quite a few cognacs over these past Sundays, which, incidentally, we thoroughly enjoyed, let’s set off with the wind in our sails… Choosing, as an aperitif, a little Guatemalan number that we hope won’t be too sweet. At least it isn’t adorned with a ‘fake’ age statement—you know, those big numbers that actually correspond to solera numbers, vat numbers, brand anniversaries, the captain’s age, or just about anything else. |
(Clairin The Spirit of Haiti)
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Miracielo ‘Reserva Especial’ (38%, OB, Guatemala, +/-2025) 
A mildly amusing one to begin with, this rum from the makers of Botran sports a name that rather suggests a new model from Lamborghini, would you not agree, although with an octane rating of 38, the beast is unlikely to start. Colour: gold. Nose: gentle, leaning towards pepper liqueur, apricot jam and molasses honey, the touch of fresh pepper is rather playful, indeed this is by no means an unpleasant nose, let us say it plainly, with also a little tinned pineapple. Mouth: well yes it is sweet, a pity, it immediately turns somewhat vulgar, quite at odds with the nose, but we should remember these rums are intended to be taken over ice, and that the cold tempers the sweeter sensations. Yet in these conditions, at room temperature, it becomes disagreeable, even if worse exists. Finish: medium length, very sugary. Comments: we shall remain reasonable on account of the rather pretty nose, in our humbleopinion, with our apologies to the house of Lamborghini.
SGP:720 (on the palate) - 65 points. |
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Santiago de Cuba 11 yo (40%, OB, Cuba, +/-2025) 
The last time we were in Cuba, ten years ago or so, Santiago de Cuba 11 had been our favourite rum among the dozens we tasted, we had even found it superior to the older Santiagos. But this is not quite the same packaging we find here, and we are not entirely sure it is the same style of juice either, the brand having been launched in France rather recently. Colour: honey. Nose: oh how pretty this is, most unusual, with hints of the seaside, jasmine, heather honey, blood orange liqueur and rather a lot of lemongrass, one even wonders whether we might use it as a lotion to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Although that would be wasteful, and the mosquitoes might end up enjoying it as much as we do. Mouth: still magnificent, a touch burnt, roasted, with a very fine caramel, then a duet of café latte and limoncello, followed by a marked cumin note, the only issue being the strength, not quite matching the quality of the spirit. Finish: this is where it shows, it snaps a little and becomes drier, almost cardboardy. Comments: let us start a petition for them to release this at 43%, hoping the restless neighbours do not begin sending Patriots towards the distilleries.
SGP:561 - 85 points. |
Well then, for those of us who were complaining about the strength being too low, we’re in for a treat… |
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Mainland Rum ‘Barrel Number 01’ (80.5%, OB, USA, virgin white oak, 30 bottles, 2025) 
A micro-batch straight out of California, pot distilled from molasses, and, do guess, bottled at barrel proof, we might not have noticed, huh. We shall be tasting several of these Mainland Rums over the coming weeks, so we shall have ample opportunity to return to the subject. Colour: pure gold. Nose: the set-up is the opposite of that of an agricole (cane juice, creole column) and yet it noses rather like an agricole, with a pleasing combination of varnish and vanilla in the manner of a young bourbon, with some earthiness and dried flowers, but we shall go no further without water. With water: very nice indeed, poppy seeds, pumpernickel, caraway, salted butter caramel, a small mix of liquorice and pine tar. Mouth (neat): this time we are sent straight to Jamaica (molasses, pot still) but it is frankly far too strong to be enjoyed as such, unless one wishes to show off in company. With water: clearly Jamaican in style, with that acetone, brine and black pepper, and above all a wealth of bitterness that will delight all lovers of such profiles, among whom we gladly count ourselves. Finish: long, with also a slight Guyanese edge, candied oranges and freshly ground pepper in the aftertaste. Comments: for now we have tasted a young one from the range, next time we shall dig deeper into the matters. We always seem to do everything the wrong way round at WF.
SGP:562 - 88 points. |
Since we were talking about agricole… |
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Bielle 2014/2025 (53.5%, Swell de Spirits and Passion Rhums Bielle, Marie-Galante, #19, 300 bottles) 
Entirely tropical ageing. We shall have to discuss this rather controversial topic one day, not from a political standpoint of course, it is always preferable that the added value remains in the country of origin, but let us not forget that higher temperatures do influence esters. One day we shall talk about the acceleration of ester hydrolysis above 20-25°C and the consequences for the complexity of rums, but not just now. Colour: full gold. Nose: oh how beautiful this is, on geranium and caraway, bergamot, fennel, sweet woodruff, a magnificent nose. With water: it does not move an inch and that is just as well, the cane juice speaks quietly in the background. Mouth (neat): a mirror of the nose, caraway, anise, liquorice wood, small aromatic herbs, borage, we scarcely dare mention a faint pastis side. With water: the liquorice comes to the fore, with mint and eucalyptus as well, the whole displaying superb freshness. Finish: very long, taken over by small citrus fruits, we simply go along with it. Comments: in French there is a small play on words which is untranslatable, ‘what if we let a Bielle flow’ (et si on se faisait couler une Bielle), something perhaps best kept for the end of an evening at the bistro or restaurant, that said.
SGP:462 - 90 points. |
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Barbados 18 yo 2006 (48%, Elixir Distillers, The Rum Trail, ex-bourbon, 500 bottles, 2025)
This is the well-known column and pot still duo from Foursquare, we would suppose, an assemblage of two casks. Colour: full gold. Nose: yes indeed, burnt wood, cedar, melted butter, a charming little Swiss cheese note, touches of white balsamic (with apologies to our Italian friends) and even whiffs of fino sherry, we rather get the impression that the proportion of pot still is fairly high this time, in any case the gentler side of Foursquare seems somewhat distant. Mouth (neat): more classical, more on cane and fudge, white pepper and vanilla, with a lighter texture than one might have expected after the nose, to the point where we now wonder whether it might not also be Mount Gay. Finish: pleasant, soft, gently spicy, still with that rather light texture, with a floral side, almost rose jelly and orange blossom, alongside praline and liquorice. Comments: it must be Foursquare, thus excellent. I mean, the other way ‘round.
SGP:651 - 88 points. |
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Beenleigh 16 yo ‘Yowie’ (68.3%, Raising Glasses, Heavy Metal Edition, Australia, 324 half bottles, +/-2026)
It would seem they shot the picture on the label in D.C., would they not, although the Yowie rather appears to be Australia’s Bigfoot. In any case we do love Beenleigh, and it is worth noting that 5% of the profits go to the North Queensland Animal Rescue here, which is rather splendid. I don’t think the latter is dealing with the Yowie issues, having said that. Colour: full gold. Nose: delightfully dirty and as acetic as one could wish, with old leather and humidor notes, alongside various umbelliferous touches that bring plenty of freshness and complexity, but let us not get carried away and let us remember the high strength. With water: elegant, like a white Hermitage, we assure you. Mouth (neat): absolutely beautiful, imagine now a young bourbon in the style of Willett, to which one has added pepper, brown tobacco, peppermint liqueur and lemon, quite the cocktail. With water: fresh turmeric and pickled ginger come through, one could almost pour it over sushi. Finish: long, with several peppers jostling for attention, then a touch of mango. Comments: truth be told it is probably not the most precise or orderly rum, yet that is precisely one of the reasons why we enjoy it so much. Jumble and chaos, that is life.
SGP:562 - 88 points. |
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Savanna 17 yo ‘RumX’ (68.7%, OB, La Réunion, grand arôme, cognac then armagnac casks, cask #991, 445 bottles, 2026)
This one is uniquely for the RumX web community, it’s a grand arôme from the old Savalle column, with 664.6 grams of esters per HLPA. On the Hampden scale this would be HLCF, while for those who might be unsettled by the large X on the label, rest assured this is not Bumbu, you may put away the pistols and catapults. Colour: full gold. Nose: it starts at full throttle on acetone and Jerez vinegar, then moves towards shoe polish and softwood smoke, before olives and pata negra ham emerge, all this at nearly 70% vol. With water: it bursts with eucalyptus and brine, you could almost use it as an inhalation to clear the airways. Mouth (neat): a true Réunion meets Jamaica style, for let us be honest, only Savanna can achieve this sort of profile on the island. Sharp, acidic, lively, packed with tar, varnish and brine, yet it still leads you by the nose, it is even a little tiring at natural strength, though that’s a healthy sort of fatigue (S., healthy?) With water: a massive arrival of salt, in the form of seawater or brine, with also a touch of new rubber and lime peel. Finish: very long, as they say, like a day without bread, with the return of acetone and even hints of ammonia, while black olives come in to keep order in the aftertaste. Comments: what a beast, that signature on black olives is magnificent.
SGP:463 - 90 points. |
I was planning to finish with a Jamaican, as usual, but you could almost say we’ve just had one, in a way. A Franco-Jamaican that might even bring Serge Gainsbourg to mind back when he was dabbling in reggae. Alright, perhaps that comparison is a bit of a stretch. Anyway, let’s look for something truly different to round off this little session in style, yet something that can still hold its own against that crazy Savanna… This one, perhaps? … |
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Vieux Casimir 8 yo 2018/2026 (50.8%, Velier, Haiti, clairin, ex-Caroni cask)
This baby is brand new, and we are not entirely convinced there is much point in the ex-Caroni thingy, for what matters to us is the distillate, not how the chef has seasoned it afterwards, nor how empty casks are being recycled. But you understand, we are sure, Casimir is the present, Caroni is the past. Colour: gold. Nose: it is always a great pleasure to speak about clairin with taxi drivers, in Paris or in New York, as many are Haitian. In any case here we find smoked banana, spruce, a rather surprising Ardbeg-like side, and an irresistible mix of menthol and anise, and this is pure cane juice. With a little water: one can almost sense the Atlantic, would you believe it. Mouth (neat): a marvellous rum, earthy, briny and packed with small herbs and flowers, especially dill and elderflower, with tarry notes keeping watch in the background. With water: smoke, tar, bitterness and overripe fruits, what more could one ask for. Finish: long, saline, earthy. Comments: the other appeal of these clairins is their ‘countryside’ side. As President Chirac might have said, it smells of the cowshed. Haitian cows of course. Oh and that was a positive thing coming from Chirac.
SGP:363 - 90 points. |
 Check the index of all rums we've tasted
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