Joe Beatrice can pick some fantastic barrels of whiskey. However, his newest release is something entirely different. Enter Barrell Rum batch 001. It’s a 7-year-old Jamaican pot still rum, bottled at a cask strength of 134.73 proof. The rum matured in ex-bourbon barrels in Jamaica, and was crafted and bottled in Kentucky. A 7-year-old, cask strength Jamaican rum? Yes please.
One thing to note is no coloring, sweetening or flavoring has been added. It syncs with Beatrice’s MO to bottle everything in its natural state, so to speak. For that, we’re thankful.
So, how is it?
There is lots going on in the nose: vanilla, molasses, carmelized onions, toasted oak, and hints of coconut water and spice. On the palate, I get waves of cooked sugar cane and vanilla extract. Some small spikes of baking spice crack their way through, along with vibrant lime and green banana. The warm finish leaves a spicy ginger and raw sugar cane note. Very potent, and slightly astringent. A splash of water helps combat the dryness a bit.
What a wonderful array of flavors! I hope every future release of Barrell Rum showcases a different style of the spirit. Every time I taste a release from this company, I can’t help but guess what’s in the future. A rye whiskey perhaps? Maybe a brandy? How about a single malt? We’ll just have to be patient. In the meantime, I’m going to pour another glass of this rum. Good stuff. 8.5/10
Thanks to Barrell Craft Spirits for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Adventures In Whiskey 