Overview
Brand: Dead Reckoning
Origin: South Pacific Distillers, Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji
Still: Pot & Column Blend
Age: 10 years
Finish: ex-Muscat
ABV: 47%
For our next look at a Dead Reckoning sample, we turn from the tropical state of Queensland, Australia, to a "neighbor" of theirs… over 2,000 miles away.
South Pacific Distillers (SPD) is the only rum producer in the island nation of Fiji, located in Lautoka on the island of Viti Levu. They are capable of producing molasses-based rum using their pot and column stills, and have a number of independently-bottled rum releases available in the US and European markets.
Dead Reckoning South Pacific is a blend of molasses-based pot and column distillate produced at SPD. This rum was placed in an ex-muscat wine cask and aged for 10 years before bottling at a strength of 47% ABV.
Appearance
Amber, medium-high viscosity
Nose
Kiwi, green bananas, paint primer, red grapes, raspberry jam, plantain chips
Palate
Red grapes, raspberries, orange sherbert, underripe kiwi, vanilla, fresh pineapple
Finish
Medium, fruity, tannic; cooked raspberries, oak, jam, bitter red grapes, menthol
Rating: 7/10
Summary
I'm getting a lot of highlights in this Dead Reckoning South Pacific rum. The tropical aging in an ex-muscat cask really gives this some complexity that I don't always get in Fiji rums.
The nose opens with aromas of kiwi, green bananas, and paint primer, leading into raspberry jam and plantain chips. Some red fruits appear first on the palate: red grapes and raspberries, with orange sherbert, kiwi, pineapple, and vanilla in tow. A cooling menthol sensation remains after oak and raspberries fade from the finish. Remarkably, this drinks higher than its stated proof, and I think the decision to bottle at 47% was a good one.
This is funky, complex, but not too wild as to confuse one's senses; everything is presented in a way that can be easily parsed. Hats off to the Dead Reckoning team for a great single cask!