Overview
Brand: Great Shearwater
Origin: Trinidad Distillers Ltd, Laventille, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Still: Column
Age: 14 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon & ex-Rye
ABV: 62%
Following closely after their first Trinidad single cask, Great Shearwater released another eye-catching Trinidad rum, this time featuring a rye cask finish.
Great Shearwater Trinidad 14 year Barrel #2 was column distilled from a base of molasses at Trinidad Distillers, Ltd. in December 2009. It was placed in an ex-Bourbon cask for 13 years before being re-casked in an ex-rye barrel for 1 year, totalling 14 years of aging. This was bottled at 62% ABV.
This bottle was gifted to me after a tasting by a brand representative, with no expectation other than to enjoy the rum.
Appearance
Dark amber, low viscosity
Nose
Cola, caramel, flamed orange peel, hot honey, candied cranberries, molasses, orange creamsicle, soy sauce
Palate
Nougat, orange creamsicle, vanilla, milk chocolate, caramel, grilled orange slices, sweet cream, spices (rye, cola, nutmeg)
Finish
Long, warm, spicy; vanilla, oak, rye spice, caramel, orange creamsicle, oak
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Great Shearwater's rye cask finish of Trinidad is a solid single cask expression, although I'm finding I'm not a big fan of this particular cask aging.
A Trinidadian profile of cola, red fruits, and vanilla are amplified by sweet nougat, rye spices, and orange creamsicle throughout the experience. The nosing features hot honey, soy sauce, and candied cranberries, while milk chocolate, sweet cream, and grilled orange slices add onto the palate and finish.
It's nice that Great Shearwater is trying their own finish with this, although for me, a rye cask finish doesn't quite work with Trinidad rum. This is still a good rum, and worth trying if you're interested in rum finished in rye casks.