Overview
Brand: Privateer
Origin: Privateer Distilling, Ipswich, MA, USA
Still: Column
Age: NAS
Finish: New American Oak
ABV: 52.8%
After two and a half years, we are finally revisiting Privateer's Navy Yard expression (it's almost hard to believe I've been reviewing that long already).
As a refresher, each Navy Yard release has been a unique single barrel that is bottled at cask strength, aged 2.5 to 3 years, and generally follows the flavor profile of other, previously-released Navy Yards.
I've got a bottle released to the Tennessee market, from cask P604. This is a molasses-based rum distilled through Privateer's column still in Ipswich, MA, and aged between 2.5 and 3 years in new American oak. After sampling to determine if this was a worthy candidate for the Navy Yard label, it was bottled as such at 52.8% ABV.
Appearance
Orange-brown, low viscosity
Nose
Red Delicious apples, freshly-cut oak, garam masala, hint of caramel
Palate
Caramel, vanilla bean, molasses, cinnamon, brown sugar
Finish
Long, hot, savory; oak, cinnamon, vanilla bean, molasses, hint of star anise
Rating: 7/10
Summary
Navy Yard P604 is as enjoyable as P616, the cask that we previously reviewed. This full proof emphasizes the Privateer signature profile, and brings its own special qualities to the tasting experience.
Red Delicious apples come through first on the nose, with oak not far behind; Privateer rarely lets you forget it was aged in untouched American oak! Spices in the form of a garam masala blend come next. Caramel leaps from the nose to the palate as I sip, with slightly sweet, slightly bitter vanilla bean joins thick molasses, drying cinnamon, and brown sugar throughout the experience.
I really enjoy this line from Privateer, as it makes single barrels accessible to the masses while retaining the full proof and unique quirks that make these types of releases so coveted.