Overview
Brand: Holmes Cay
Origin: Clarendon Distillers Ltd., Lionel Town, Clarendon, Jamaica
Still: Pot
Age: 8 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 61%
Today, we're looking at a Holmes Cay bottling of rum originally produced by the Clarendon distillery. Clarendon is most likely known for the Monymusk rum brand, and both Clarendon and Monymusk are owned by National Rums of Jamaica (which also owns the Long Pond distillery and the Innswood Estate aging facility).
Because Jamaican distilleries, marques, and ownership details are rarely simple, the Clarendon distillery is actually located on what was formerly known as the Moneymusk Estate, which eventually gave its name to the aforementioned rum brand. According to Matt Pietrek's Modern Caribbean Rum, rum distillation at the estate can be traced back to 1794 at the latest, and has since evolved to have both traditional pot distillation with light and heavy fermentation options, as well as more modern column distillation.
Holmes Cay Jamaica EMB 2014 is a molasses-based rum that was produced via pot still at the distillery in Lionel Town. The fermentation and distillation follows specifications for the EMB marque, which was originally made at the now-shuttered Bog Estate; EMB represents a mix of light and heavy distillation, with an ester range of 240-250 g/hLAA. It was aged for 8 years in ex-Bourbon casks at the Innswood facility in Jamaica, before being bottled at 61% ABV in New York state.
Appearance
Amber, medium viscosity
Nose
Jackfruit, golden raisins, figs, fresh-cut orange, blueberry pie, overripe banana
Palate
Overripe banana, golden raisin, jackfruit, hot honey, cinnamon, stewed blueberries, orange
Finish
Long, warm, spiced; vanilla, overripe banana, rotting pineapple, fig, jackfruit, raisins, cinnamon
Rating: 8/10
Summary
I'm rarely disappointed by Jamaican rum, and Holmes Cay Jamaica EMB continues that trend. This Clarendon rum shows that although a marque may be lower in ester count compared to others, that means little in how enjoyable it is, or the amount of flavor an expression can pack in.
EMB 2014's nose gives off a heap of dark, rotting fruits like jackfruit, banana, golden raisins, figs, and orange, with an addition of warm blueberry pie. Tasting the rum yields the same flavors, with hot honey and cinnamon adding on. The long, warm finish is spiked with vanilla, cinnamon, and tropical fruit notes.
Tasting this rum again just reinforces my feeling that we need more higher proof Clarendon in the US. Holmes Cay has done a great job with this bottling, and is a great option for someone looking to dive into another one of Jamaica's fine distilleries.