Review #109: Raising Glasses Thailand Sample

Overview

Brand: Raising Glasses

Origin: Undisclosed Distillery, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Still: Column

Age: 9 years

ABV: 60.9%

Our next journey through the Raising Glasses portfolio is a sample! For full disclosure, this was provided to me by John and Lorri directly, during my visit to Boston I referenced in the previous review and detailed in my Raising Glasses Australia sample review.

This sample is a molasses-based rum from Thailand, originally produced by a well-known but undisclosed distillery in the Nakhon Pathom province. It was made with a column still and matured– presumably in ex-Bourbon casks– for 9 years; it was eventually bottled, without additives, at a strength of 60.9% ABV.

The proof of this sample does not match up with any of the now-released Thai expressions from Raising Glasses (Kinnaree, Kinnara, Manora), and I've reached out for clarification. Regardless, I'm excited to dive into some rum from Asia, which is not a continent I've yet been able to try rum from.

Appearance

Light amber, high clarity, low viscosity

Nose

Green apples, saltwater, molasses, lemon Pledge, Smarties

Palate

Caramel green apples, rye spice, vanilla, cardamom, rice wine vinegar, lemongrass, pastry dough

Finish

Medium-long, spicy, fruity; oak, green apple, rye spices, cardamom, dark roast coffee

Rating: 8/10

Summary

Having never tried a Thai rum, this is some really interesting stuff. This is distinctly rum, but has a so many unique notes that I haven't tasted together in any other bottling. There's tons of green apple in this, some slight grassy notes, and still have more traditional rum notes of vanilla, oak, and molasses.

Fruity lemon Pledge cleaner is present on the nose, and is threaded into the palate via the unique note of cardamom. The unmistakable sugary note of Smarties candies also comes through on the palate, joined by semi-sour lemongrass and a dash of rice wine vinegar. As an over-proof rum, the nose is remarkably tame; the proof is very well managed.

This Raising Glasses Thai rum is a great expression that is another fun departure from business as usual. The unique terroir shows that there are plenty of rum distilleries outside the traditional regions that can produce great rum. Raising Glasses is doing some great work bringing in a unique rum like this to the US.