The O Reizinho is the name of a small distillery from Madeira which produces agricole rhum, but using a pot still rather than a column. It’s thanks to That Boutique-y Rum company that I know about O Reizinho in the first place – the advantage of having independent bottlers that bring rums on the UK market that normally wouldn’t be available.
TBRC O Reizinho is cane juice based, pot still distilled and rested in an inert container. Batch 2 is bottled at a decent 57 % ABV without any additions or ageing with only 484 bottles available.
On the nose it feel bright and savoury. Green olives, pickles, lime zest and floral honey. It has a sharp layer to it. Unripe passion fruit, white vinegar and whitewash. Some mango and tomato paste too.
On the palate it feels savoury again. Black olives, green peppers, unripe bananas and passion fruit. Black pepper, boiled corn on the cob, bay leaf and camomile tea. It has a slightly Jamaican funk feel to it. Overripe pineapple and nail varnish. The finish is long with olive brine, tropical fruits and some smoky notes.
Very interesting, quite unique and definitely not like the standard rhum agricoles you’d find in the French Caribbean (I’m aware Madeira is Portuguese). Savoury with tropical notes is the best way to describe it. It isn’t an easy sipper, but still fairly balanced and pleasant.
It can be found at £37 for a 50cl bottle on Master of Malt and it’s definitely one to try.
That Boutique-y Rum Company – O Reizinho (Batch 2) score:
Flavour/taste: 54/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 83/100
Cheers!