The Rum Barrel Blog

This year has just been hit after hit when it comes to the British rum scene. Scratch Distillery, based in Hertfordshire, was founded in 2015 and now, 8 years later, they finally launched their first single cask. The reason it took so long is because Doug Miller, the owner and distiller of Scratch, is very meticulous when it comes to his rum and I very much admire that.

I’ve first met Doug a few years ago at Imbibe and ever since I could tell he was very passionate about rum production. He actually invited me to visit his distillery and in January this year I finally took upon his offer. I’ve had a great time chatting rum and I was very much impressed with the amount of care and knowledge that went into his product.

He was also kind enough to let me sample some of the barrels he had stored away. One of the barrels I got to try was the earlier version of this Winter Release and, at the time, it was one of my highlights. So when I heard he is ready to bottle it and launch it I had to get myself one as soon as it hit the shelves.

Production wise, this rum was made by fermenting 3 different washes with 3 different yeast strains over 14 days in the Spring of 2020. Two of these ferments have had their acidity enhanced with dunder (stillage) as well. Each ferment has been first distilled separately with dunder added in the still, then they were blended together in 2×500 litre ex-Scotch cask where they were left for a few weeks to marry up. Following this, the blend was put into the pot still for the spirit run (2nd distillation) before being placed in a former 225 litre Muscat cask. The wood for the cask was sourced exclusively from sustainably managed French forests and handmade by the coopers at Maison Demptos, in the heart of the Bordeaux region.

So the Single Cask 2023 Winter Release is molasses based, fermented for 14 days and pot still distilled. Aged or over 3 years in an ex-Muscat cask and bottled at 47.2% ABV without any additives or chill filtering – only 300 bottles available.

On the nose it smells quite moreish. Dried figs, sultanas, walnuts, nutmeg and cinnamon. Milk stout, Earl Grey tea, maple syrup and dark chocolate. It has a rich and dark profile. Muscovado sugar, butterscotch and some liquorice. Black pepper, cloves and ripe bananas.

On the palate the moreishing (probably not a word) continues. Butterscotch, cacao nibs, candied bananas, honey biscuits and stout. Plums, rich tobacco, brownies, cappuccino and burnt orange oils. It’s quite rounded, but it doesn’t lack layers. Black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Treacle, liquorice, vanilla and a touch of almond essence. The finish is long with butterscotch and oaky spices.

This is what I like to call a “guilty pleasure rum” because it presents itself on the sweet side, although it has nothing added besides the benefit of being aged in a dessert wine cask – it’s not like rums with added sugar that have to sacrifice complexity in the favour of confected sweetness. It boasts plenty of layers and spices, yet it stays moreish and I love it.

If you wonder what other bottlings fall into the “guilty pleasure rum” category have a look at my reviews of the Cotswolds Treacle Rum (2020, 2021, 2022) and That Boutique-y Rum Company – The Flying Dutchman 4 Years Old (Batch 2).

Doug himself warned me not to pair it with chocolate, or I’ll finish the bottle very quickly. He also said it’s a great tipple to have after your Christmas lunch/dinner.

At the moment this can be bought from Harrods and Berry Brothers & Rudd at £95 for which I would’ve considered great value if it weren’t for other British rums that are on par and a little bit cheaper. That being said, this is a fantastic release from a very small distillery/business and Doug, along with his Scratch Distillery, deserve all the support – you won’t be disappointed!

Scratch Distillery – Single Cask Winter 2023 Release score:
Flavour/taste: 61/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 90/100

Cheers!