Overview
Brand: Privateer, Distiller's Drawer series
Origin: Privateer Distilling, Ipswich, MA, USA
Still: Pot/Column Hybrid
Age: 5 years, 3 months
Finish: New American Oak & ex-Rye
ABV: 59.2%
With this review, we go back to visit a bottle that was part of the first Privateer Distiller's Drawer set that I was able to get my hands on. Nexus comes from the 2022 release, joined by Homeward, Leeward, Mirth, and Intrepid.
Nexus (definition: "a connection or link between things") was produced by Privateer's hybrid still at their distillery in Ipswich, MA. It is a 5 year 3 month old rum that was initially aged in new American oak for 3 years and 1 month, then transferred to a used rye cask for the remaining 2 years and 2 months.
As much as I've grown to enjoy Privateer's style that utilizes virgin oak, I really have enjoyed their releases that featured a transfer to a finishing cask, such as Windward. Let's see how Nexus's link between its original cask and finishing cask works out.
Appearance
Dark orange-brown, medium clarity, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Salted pecans, vanilla, spiced apples, nutmeg, rye chips, spent popsicle stick
Palate
Vanilla, cinnamon, star anise, caramel, pecans, rye spices
Finish
Medium-long, spicy, dry; rye, cinnamon, oak, vanilla, popsicle stick
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Privateer Nexus has a lot going for it, even if it's very cask-driven. Like many/most rums from this distiller, there's a ton of American oak character, untamed by prior usage; yes, there's a secondary cask finish on this, but there's still a lot of base wood in this experience.
Now, that's not all bad; the rye cask shares spices, nuttiness, and apple notes, which sets this apart from other Distiller's Drawer releases. The warmth and invidiual notes coming throughout the palate and finish adds some welcome complexity. The rest of the experience is pleasant, with plenty of vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, and the note that I often identify with new American oak maturation: popsicle stick.
This is a tasty rum that has a fairly unique expression compared to the majority of the rum world. While it's fairly oaky– something that is often mentioned alongside Privateer– it doesn't stray into the over-oaked category.