This rum comes to us from the island of Antigua, also known in French as Antigue, a small Caribbean island better known to wealthy tourists than rum lovers. Today we will be looking at their 10-year-old rum, which is - and this is still rare to be noted - the true age.

price : 75€ for 70cl and a classic 40°

age : a real 10 years old, and even more since it is the minimum age of this blend (there would even be 25 years in it). Aged in whiskey and Bourbon barrels (ex Jack Daniels barrels)

The molasses used to make English Harbour rums comes largely from Dominica and Guyana, a molasses renowned for its high percentage of sugar: the result is a very smooth and fine rum. It should also be noted that before the aging process, oak chips are added to the bottom of the barrels, to give the rum a natural color and aromas. Now let's move on to the tasting...

The rum has a fairly dark copper color, and its legs, quite thick and heavy, suggest an oily and quite gourmet rum. A great introduction that immediately makes you want to dive in.

The nose is very soft and light. It releases a sweet smell of caramelized brown sugar and vanilla that comforts you, all in finesse and without clash. The woodiness is just as soft, light as air and smoky but in very small doses; then a fruity note appears with the citrus fruits (oranges, lemon). A slight rest time reveals scents of spices (clove).

The attack on the palate is soft and mellow, always very fine, it is clean in every way .
Always this woody (slightly smoky) which gives the whole thing some hold, mixed with spices (especially cinnamon). A little coffee side which is far from unpleasant, and always the citrus note for the fruitiness.

The finish is relatively short, still a little more oriented towards wood and spices which makes the whole less fine and rougher . A certain bitterness appears at the end, followed by a peppery note at the tip of the tongue.

A rum that starts off very fine, with aromas so light that it seems to work in successive veils, showing its attributes little by little. The palate and the finish change radically by offering a more raw side. Some will prefer the 5-year-old version and its youth, others like me will melt in front of a glass of English Harbour 25 years (1981), so sweet and refined. Finesse is really what characterizes the rums in the range, and the 1981 is perhaps the sweetest rum I have ever tasted (particular sugar?)

The different rums in the range complement each other very well and everyone will find something for them, but this 10 year old can still seem disappointing, and its price remains quite high (€75). When you think that a bottle of El Dorado 15 year old costs 'only' €50, you can quickly become disillusioned 😉 Rating: 74

To help you (and me) find your way around, regarding the notes:

90 and + : exceptional and unique rum, it is the best of the best
between 85 and 89 : highly recommended rum, with that little something that makes the difference
between 80 and 84 : recommendable rum
75-79 POINTS : above average
70-74 POINTS : in the low average
less than 70 : not very good

Review courtesy of DuRhum.com.

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