The Last One…

Will it be released or not? The only certainty for the moment is that the 570 copies of this Diamond & Versailles have indeed been bottled; but Luca Gargano and Velier do not yet know if they will one day be put on sale, or reserved for private tastings (masterclasses at festivals for example). A cruel dilemma, when we know the symbolic value and all the emotional charge of what will undoubtedly remain the last episode of the Velier/DDL adventure.

Info : 17-year-old rum (tropical aging), from 2 barrels that will give a total of 570 bottles with an alcohol content of 57.9° (cask strength). No price because there is no release but the possibility for some to taste it during masterclasses organized by Luca Gargano (the only way known at the moment).

So here we have a rum distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2013 at 57.9°, and more precisely a blend (assemblage) of rums from Diamond (mark <S>) and its metal column still (Metal Coffey Still), and from Versailles (mark VSG) and its famous wooden pot still. A historic and experimental blend because it was made before aging (something rather unique). A tasting with a taste of nostalgia, and hoping to see DDL take up the torch from Velier, with, who knows, full-proof bottlings to come…

A beautiful dark mahogany dress, very shiny and oily as desired: a crown of immeasurable droplets is drawn, which laboriously transform into tears that one could watch flow for very long minutes, and without ever feeling the slightest remorse, and worse, even taking pleasure in it. Eternal sadism to see an outdated spirit cry, and the next minute to delight in it with fervor and satisfaction.

On the nose, we immediately wonder where the 57.9° has gone, the alcohol is so well assimilated. The nose is heavy but charming, concentrated but pleasant; a complex rum from the start with empyreumatic notes of roasted molasses, mixed with a smoky and rubbery smell, deliciously fruity and spicy (cinnamon, 4 spices), and even caramelized. There is nothing on the nose that takes over the rest, everything is perfectly balanced, melted, and almost buttery. The almost total absence of alcohol is very surprising, and we would like to go there without waiting, to take everything in our mouth without suspicion and already charmed, but the wisdom (and experience of these Demerara FullProof) will quickly enough lower the ardor, and fortunately so.

The rest seems to give more words to the stewed fruits, red and tangy, of strawberry, blueberry, cherry, as well as vanilla. We still find this rubber, now joined by liquorice; it is surprising all this lightness in a rum that has aged 17 years in the tropics. The rums from Diamond always give something quite simple, surely perfect for a long aging in cask, and the mixture with Versailles seems to give a very interesting combination, far from the overly woody aromas that one can be inclined to expect, or even to fear.

This is the kind of rum that would serve as a great gateway for anyone who wants to start discovering Velier's Demerara rums, all smoothness and an exquisite nose, without dominant alcohol or too much wood; add just the right amount of fruit, and a veil of tobacco, charming and nostalgic.

In the mouth, the rum is necessarily thick (that's a minimum), the alcohol is always well integrated and everything increases in intensity gradually: we find the fruits for a soft and rather sweet attack (jammy), always with this impression of having a resin in the mouth, with this slightly burnt molasses and notes of leather which now pour everywhere in the mouth, liquorice, proud and fair spices; the tannins tingle slightly in the mouth. Very well balanced overall. Powerfully sweet, virilely delicate, the rum does its job smoothly but with panache.

The finish is long and persistent on toasted notes, tobacco and leather; a rather dry and virile finish, far from the stewed fruits of the beginnings. We are on a slight tanned bitterness, but nothing that could be detrimental. The empty glass is quite a story, and already we start to regret all those bottles of Fullproof Demerara. Goodbye in the past, and good luck in the future.

A FullProof Demerara that doesn't jump out at you or your palate, all in restraint and control, and concentrated as it should be. From beginning to end, it's a beautiful discovery, with a nose to seduce you and a mouth to draw you in. A final delight before an inevitable withdrawal, forced by destiny. bye bye DDL… Rating: 89

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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