La Maison & Veilier’s Flag Collection of rums is on to its third collection, three single casks hailing from three totally different continents, every extra unique than the final. Flag Collection has beforehand been featured as our ##1 rum of 2023, so expectations are about as excessive as they get. Let’s dive in to those three casks, every of which produced barely greater than 200 bottles of liquid.
LM&V Flag Collection Barbados 2011 Assessment
A mix of column and pot nonetheless from molasses, aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 14 years, 8 within the tropics. A standout from the start, this ultra-tropical expression incorporates a nostril of grilled pineapple and mango, with latent hints of lemongrass, espresso, and tobacco. Although almost 65% abv, the rum is good and light-weight on its ft and approachable at full energy, providing a palate of well-toasted coconut and milk chocolate. A splash of water solely enhances the expertise even additional. Smoldering on the end with that inimitably wealthy character of molasses distillate, that is one other all-star providing from LM&V and additional proof that Barbados is likely one of the GOATs of the rum world. 129.2 proof. A / $190
LM&V Flag Collection Vietnam 2018 Assessment
A copper column distillate of native sugarcane, aged 6 years in nation in an ex-Cognac cask. That is an virtually candylike rum, candy and full of life with a mixture of brown sugar and bubblegum notes on the nostril, dissolving into pineapple with time in glass. A curious lavender word emerges the longer you let it settle — evoking the Cognac cask and its clear linen parts. The palate is as super-sweet as imagined, extra pineapple reduce with caramel, edged with spice that options ginger and cloves, then a late-game grind of inexperienced peppercorns. Whereas flippantly natural on the end with a lemongrass punch, the sweetness by no means fades for a second. An actual powerhouse however a singular expertise. 111 proof. A- / $140
LM&V Flag Collection Ghana 2020 Assessment
Copper pot distillate of contemporary cane juice, aged in an ex-bourbon barrel for 4 years, one within the Ghanaian warmth, 3 in Europe. That is the least overtly thrilling expression within the trio, maybe due to its relative youth, but it surely’s nonetheless loads charming, with a brightly fruity nostril that hits laborious with pineapple, peach, and toasted coconut notes, all leaning into estery bubblegum. Arduous-edged on the palate, the rum feels prefer it’s nonetheless within the throes of creating, not fairly settled right into a groove. The identical punchy tropicality endures right here, however with a considerably harsh edge that provides the end a reasonably burnt, ashy, and sometimes earthy high quality. Memorable, although. 127.2 proof. B+ / $140
LM&V Flag Collection Barbados 2011
USD190
