The Rum Barrel Blog

Last year That Boutique-y Whisky Company celebrated it’s 10 year birthday and their younger sibling, That Boutique-y Rum Company, chipped in for their celebrations by adding 4 new rum bottlings to their 10th Birthday Release. Among those four we have this expression that was distilled in the Netherlands.

The Flying Dutchman was distilled at Zuidam Distillery in the Netherlands – they also make genever, gin, vodka, whisky and liqueurs. Their own rum range is also called Flying Dutchman – I don’t think I need to explain the inspiration behind the branding, I’ll just assume we’ve all seen the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Zuidam Distillery use molasses that they ferment for over 2 weeks and then they distill using small handmade copper pot stills. For the ageing they use a variety of casks such as virgin oak, sherry, port, amarone and so on. This expression bottled by That Boutique-y Rum Company was aged entirely in old former Oloroso casks that were previously part of a sherry solera system.

TBRC The Flying Dutchman Batch 2 is molasses based, pot still distilled and aged in ex-Oloroso casks for 4 years in Netherlands. Bottled in the UK at 55.5% ABV without any additives and with a limited number of 488 bottles, mine being number 364.

On the nose it has a lovely moreish aroma. Muscovado sugar, Toffifee, apple pie and ground coffee. Dusty furniture and, ironically, furniture polish. I’m enjoying the nose on this, it reminds me of Cotswolds Treacle rum which was also aged in sherry casks. Raisins, cardboard boxes and chocolate. Milky stout, new leather, nuts and dried figs.

On the palate it’s a combo of nuts, sweets and oak. Walnuts, toffee and coffee candies, raisins and hot chocolate. Nutmeg, cinnamon, charred oak and chocolate dipped apples. There’s some spice, but the nuttiness from the sherry influence is what comes out the most – it is quite creamy too. Milky stout, almonds and a touch of coconut. A hint of tobacco along with some rubber. The finish is long with toffee and black tea with milk.

I will repeat myself, this is incredibly similar to the Cotswolds Treacle Rum and I love it. The creamy mouthfeel along with the oak spices and the nutty-dried fruit layers make this really enjoyable. It isn’t anything too intense, I’ll just say it’s mostly balanced but going a little on a sweet-rich side – for me this is a winner, very much enjoyable!

It’s priced at £37.50 (The Whisky Exchange) for a 50cl bottle which is fantastic value. This is a 4 year old rum aged entirely in properly sourced Oloroso barrels so it’s no small feat, especially giving its enjoyable flavour profile.

That Boutique-y Rum Company – The Flying Dutchman 4 Years Old (Batch 2) score:
Flavour/taste: 60/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 90/100

Cheers!