Laphroaig

A demerara rum, from a pot still and aged in a Laphroaig whisky cask? Only independent bottlers have such an idea, with more or less interesting results and some nice surprises...

Age : 14 years old judging by other labels that are floating around on the net (and on which it is clearly displayed), distilled in 1992 and bottled in 2006. Aged in Laphroaig Whisky Sherry Cask and diluted to 46°.

This bottling comes to us from Bloomsbury Spirit Co, an English merchant. It is difficult to know much more because the owner of the bottle (thanks to him for the sample) has neither box nor back label on his bottle. The rum could just as well come out of the Port Mourant or Versailles pot still, who knows…

The rum has a beautiful sustained amber color and coppery highlights for a dress that appears fat, with very thick and imposing legs. The nose is more reminiscent of the Versailles still than that of Port Mourant, with this freshly cut and still fresh wood, a smell similar to sawdust, or pencil shavings. The nose is also mineral (earthy) and vegetal (herbs) with a refreshing touch (mint, and blood orange), as well as nuts (walnuts). The whole is pleasantly smoky (discreet), surely due to the incidence of the whisky barrel.

On the palate, the attack is soft and oily, always on these same vegetal and woody notes (sawdust, pencil, liquorice), just softened by the blood orange that we find and which brings a sweet taste in the mouth. Overall austere and on the bitterness (astringency, herbs, thyme?) but flattered by sweet fruits. This is followed by this ever-present smokiness and spices and grilled nuts (clove, sunflower seed). A mouth with character, straight in its boots, woody and spicy.

The finish is rather long, still on this astringency brought by the horde of woody and vegetal notes and aromas, which quickly dries the palate, not without leaving traces of spices (clove) and this smokiness, which seems to return at the end and remain. The empty glass is fruity, on blood orange, grenadine, perhaps a sign of the sherry cask.

Many similarities, on the nose as well as in the mouth, with rums from the Versailles still; Herbs, pencil shavings, blood orange. This rum remains quite austere but respects the style of the house very well and constitutes a nice surprise. Note: 81

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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