Holmes Cay is again with a bevy of latest rums — three from the long-running Single Cask collection and one from the Single Origin collection. You most likely don’t want a giant introduction on this high-quality indie bottler, so let’s dive proper into the gathering.
Holmes Cay Single Origin Reunion Island Rum Traditionnel Evaluation
Holmes Cay Single Origin Version #4. This model of rum is straight away uncommon: molasses-based rum produced within the French model on a column nonetheless like rhum agricole. (Agricole is invariably made out of sugar cane juice.) Described as an ingredient as soon as important for tiki cocktails, this model of rum has not been generally accessible within the U.S. for many years. This rum, from Distillerie de Savanna on Reunion Island (close to Madagascar), is aged for 3 years in ex-Cognac casks and was bottled in New York.
Vivid and fairly on the nostril — very tropical with aromas of overripe pineapple, almond syrup, and a pinch of Tajin spice. Pink fruits construct with time in glass, counterbalanced by touches of coconut. The palate falls in alongside the above traces, once more kicking off with pineapple earlier than transferring right into a sharper lime zest word and ending up with mild florals. As a base for a mai tai, I don’t assume you can do a lot better. 92 proof. A- / $45
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Guyana Versailles 2018 Evaluation
A 5 12 months previous molasses rum — a single, unblended mark — from one among Guyana’s heritage stills — courting again to the 18th century. It’s a easy rum, very grassy on the nostril, with ample notes of overripe fruit and charred wooden evident. Racy on the nostril and the palate, with ripe banana and ample caramel notes, however a slightly gritty, peppery end. Grilled pineapple notes perk up the conclusion, however this nonetheless largely comes throughout as a curiosity for these on this specific mark. 110 proof. B / $82
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Trinidad 2012 12 Years Previous Evaluation
This was as soon as 10 Cane mild cane juice-based pot nonetheless rum, distilled in 2012 and aged in ex-Cognac and ex-rum barrels for 12 years. Aged 4 years within the tropics and eight within the UK and New York state. That is launched yearly as a creating vertical launch; you’ll be able to see our protection of the 11 12 months previous right here.
As with the 11 12 months previous, this has a thick vein of toasted marshmallow and brown banana, with a walnut word giving the rum a brown butter character. Barely oily, the floral notes of the 2024 version are fading right here, letting the nuttier qualities of the rum construct — coconut specifically pairing properly with lingering pineapple, caramel sauce, vanilla, and a few mango. Significantly extra tropical than earlier renditions — it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place this goes when it hits 13 years previous. 118 proof. A- / $160
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Fiji 2009 13 Years Previous Evaluation
Fiji is not any stranger to Holmes Cay. That is a minimum of the third Fiji expression within the Single Cask lineup, and a veritable youth at simply 13 years of age (aged completely within the UK). The tropicality doesn’t wander far, providing a nostril of ultra-ripe pineapple and banana, backed up by a light-weight creosote word that evokes charred marshmallow skins and cooked plantains. Crisp on the palate, it’s racy at full proof however its exuberant tropical fruit is unattainable to keep away from, offering a tempering high quality to the warmth. Components of lime leaf, overripe banana, and a pinch of gunpowder all come into play on what is a beautiful rum that’s using on the peak of its maturity. 116 proof. A- / $150
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Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Fiji 2009 13 Years Previous
USD150
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