Overview
Brand: Kill Devil
Origin: Distillerie Damoiseau (Bellevue), Le Moule, Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, France (picked by The Whisky Barrel)
Still: Column
Age: 20 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon*
ABV: 58.8%
Today we have another Guadeloupe rum from the Damoisau (Bellevue) distillery, this time released by Scottish independent bottler Hunter Laing for their Kill Devil (or Golden Devil in the US) line of rums. Just as with the Valinch & Mallet 1998 Bellevue we just reviewed, this molasses-based Bellevue rum is from the 1998 vintage and produced via Damoiseau's column still at their distillery on Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe. Scottish spirits merchant The Whisky Barrel purchased the single barrel to make it an exclusive product of theirs.
Kill Devil Guadeloupe 1998 was distilled in March 1998, and aged for 20 years in a share of tropical and continental (the greater share) aging; it was bottled in February 2019, just shy of reaching 21 years old. This cask strength bottling clocks in at 58.8% ABV and yielded 245 bottles.
The sample I have was provided to me by Jordan, a member of the Aficionados Discord server; we met up in Boston earlier this Fall for drinks and to swap samples. Thanks Jordan!
Appearance
Golden brown, medium clarity, low viscosity
Nose
Candied oranges, almond paste, brown sugar, raspberries, plums, red wine vinegar, dried cranberries
Palate
Raspberries, cranberry, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flamed orange peel, blanched almonds
Finish
Long, warming, spiced; cranberry, cinnamon, raisins, oak, molasses
Rating: 8/10
Summary
Another home run from the 1998 Guadeloupe vintage. Kill Devil's edition has fruity notes similar to the V&M Bellevue, but hits a little harder in the baking spices department, and comes without much smokiness. There is a heavier dark fruit presence in this expression, yielding cranberries– both fresh as well as the dried (or "craisin") variety– and plums alongside raspberries and orange peel.
There is also a much more noticeable note of molasses and brown sugar that exists throughout the experience. This sweetness helps temper the more tart notes from the red fruits, while lending a darker edge to the palate and finish.
This Kill Devil and the Valinch & Mallet Bellevue 1998 are some really great rums from a storied vintage; I can see why The Whisky Barrel selected this single barrel as theirs alone to sell. It's got everything you'd want from a long-aged rum, and isn't a product we really see much of outside these IB releases. I'd highly suggest if you have a chance to try one of the 1998 Bellevue (Damoiseau) expressions, you take advantage of it.