One of the newer TBRC bottlings, part of the Norwest Euroexpress collection which was released in collaboration with That Boutique-y Whisky Company. While it says just Haiti, this was definitely distilled at Barbancourt Distillery, in Haiti.
Most likely cane juice based, column still distilled and aged for 17 years in total, with 6 years of ageing spent in Haiti. Bottled at 59.% ABV, unadulterated and with only 385 bottles available.
On the nose it feels almost like a Cuban rum. Chocolate, tobacco, leather, strawberry jam and ground coffee. Ripe pineapple, black pepper and mew furniture. It does seem quite elegant. Dried orange, peaches and guava.
On the palate the ABV is barely noticeable. Walnuts, lemon zest, cacao nibs and cloves. Tobacco, ripe pears, maple syrup and black pepper. Has quite a bit going on. Biscuits, guava and pineapple. The finish is long with ground coffee and oak spices.
An interesting sipper, I wasn’t expecting it to have this much body after the mellow nose. Don’t imagine Jamaican-like body, not even Barbadian, but more in a Cuban rum on steroids kind of style and I’m into it.
A bottle of this 17 year old Haitian rum is £80 (Master of Malt) for a 50cl bottle, which is not exactly in the affordable range, but it’s interesting enough to justify the price especially at that age.
That Boutique-y Rum Company – Haiti 17 Year Old score:
Flavour/taste: 56/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 85/100
Cheers!