Overview
Brand: Rhumb Runner
Origin: Travellers Distillery, Belmopan, Belize
Still: Column
Age: 12 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 65.2%
Last seen in review #073, Rhumb Runner returns with another selection of cask strength, single cask rum, this time from Belize. I found this bottle at the reputable Lincoln Road Package Store in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a bottle shop filled to the brim with incredible spirits, including a lot of lesser-seen rum.
Rhumb Runner Belize Travellers 12 year was originally distilled via column still at the Travellers Distillery in Belmopan, Belize, in June 2006; incidentally, this is the same vintage as the Holmes Cay Belize rum I recently reviewed. The rum was placed in an ex-Bourbon cask in which it aged for 12 years– the breakdown of tropical vs. continental aging is not disclosed (if applicable). This was independently bottled by Rhumb Runner in 2018 at a strength of 65.2% ABV.
Appearance
Orange, low viscosity
Nose
Vanilla, Macadamia nut, raspberries, black cherry pit, toasted baguette, cinnamon
Palate
Mixed salted nuts (Macadamia, Brazil, pecan), vanilla, oak, raspberry tart, red apple skin
Finish
Long, warm, nutty; cashews, sour raspberries, rotting red grapes, bitter oak, vanilla
Rating: 7/10
Summary
In my limited experience with Belizean rum, I've come to appreciate its distinct characteristics, and this expression is a reinforcement of those feelings.
Rhumb Runner Travellers 12 year is a nutty profile– literally– yielding Macadamia, Brazil, pecan, and cashew notes throughout the experience. It's noticeably dry and oaky, but these elements are softened by some fruity and sometimes sour notes of raspberry, red apple, and grapes. This drinks far under its high proof, and is really balanced from start to finish.
This is an excellent single cask selection, and one that could have easily been over-oaked, bitter, or too high proof, but that's not the case here. There are a choice few Belize rums available as single casks out there, and I'd say this is one that is worth your time.