The Islay Odyssey 2015 two old rums

February 15, 2015

The Islay Odyssey 2015
Bringing rare whiskies back to their birthplace to open them.

Sequel tasting, two old rums

Would you imagine that we had also brought some rums to Islay? You know Islay -> Bowmore/Laphroaig -> old ones - > tropical fruits -> Caribbean -> rum. Doesn’t that make sense? Now we had so much whisky that we did not really find the time and occasion to taste them. So here are only two of them…

Rhum des Plantations Saint-James 1939 (OB, Martinique, French import Ernest Lambert, imported 1950s)

Emmanuel’s Rhum des Plantations Saint-James 1939 (OB, Martinique, French import Ernest Lambert, imported 1950s)

This one is fully agricole. The back label clearly states that it's 'from pure cane sap, excluding any molasses'. If you wanna know more about these bottles, please check WF, January 8, 2015. Colour: dark amber. Nose: rather extraordinary, with superb notes of espresso coffee, chocolate and caramel, then tar and liquorice. As often, there are hints of brine and even seawater in the background (that lifts it). And then, notes of black cherries, rich Burgundy wine (really) and even something Pomeroly. Yep, that could be prunes. Maybe a slice of ultraripe banana. It’s all rich and very aromatic, and yet there’s no heaviness.

Mouth: extraordinary indeed, despite a wee sugariness in the arrival. Other than that, it’s an orgy of dried fruits and jams, including bananas and peaches, plus a little salt, coffee, tar liqueur, camphor and a drop of myrtle liqueur. Perfect fat mouthfeel. Finish: long, with a salty touch that, indeed, is pretty Islayesque. Yes we’re petty much single-minded. Black olives. Comments: to be honest, the small touch of sugar in the attack was a tiny wee tad ‘too much’ for me, and that’s why we won’t go to 90. But other than that, it’s fabulous rum. I mean, rhum. SGP:652 - 89 points.

Demerara 32 yo 1975/2008 (57%, Norse Cask, barrel #1231, 178 bottles)

Hans E.’ Demerara 32 yo 1975/2008 (57%, Norse Cask, barrel #1231, 178 bottles)

I'd wager this is Port Mourant/Port Morant. Colour: mahogany. Nose: really a big fat baby, and yet, once again, some briny, olivy, seawatery notes manage to keep it afloat. Behind that, dumpers of dried apricots, loud and clear, as well as the expected tar and liquorice. In a way, we’re in the same family as that of the old Saint-James. With water: my stuff. Nosing a can of Veedol oil into which some mad soul would have thrown seven black olives and a whole pack of salmiak. Rather eight black olives.

Mouth (neat): heavy and oaky, but that oak translates into a lot of menthol, thin mints, pinesap and peppermint, which I like as long as it doesn’t get really cloying. Heavy tar, and heavy sugarcane, which is the whole point I imagine. Quite some salt too! With water: more of all that, plus wheelbarrows of big Corinthian raisins. It did not get any more tannic – which was my fear. Finish: very long, a bit heavy perhaps. You just couldn’t have any other spirit after this one – or you’d have to take a long break. Or crunch fifty coffee beans and drink one litre of Perrier. Comments: one of the double-heavy ones. Maybe not for the fainthearted, but I love it. SGP:562 - 90 points.

Check the index of all rums I've tasted so far