Overview
Brand: Treaty Oak, Single Barrel series
Origin: Treaty Oak Distilling, Dripping Springs, TX, USA (picked by DFW Rum Club)
Still: Column
Age: 9 years, 1 month
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 50%
It's been a while since we looked at a rum from Treaty Oak, last reviewing a single barrel picked by Elixir Spirits all the way back in review #010. One reason is that since the single barrel no. 20 was selected and bottled, Treaty Oak halted production of rum and is slowly working through the remaining single barrels they have at their ranch in Dripping Springs, TX.
Treaty Oak Single Barrel no. 344 was one of the more recent barrels to move out of the distillery, but not far: it was selected by the DFW Rum Club and AJ Liquor. This rum was distilled via Treaty Oak's column still and aged in an ex-Bourbon cask for 9 years and 1 month, and bottled at a strength of 50% ABV.
Appearance
Dark scarlet-brown, medium-low clarity, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Molasses, vanilla, cardamom, brown sugar, butterscotch, permanent marker, soy sauce, saltwater
Palate
Brown sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, marbled rye, red grapes
Finish
Long, oaky, warming, slightly bitter; vanilla, bourbon-soaked oak, allspice, spent mint
Rating: 8/10
Summary
Once again, Treaty Oak knocks it out of the park; this single barrel is a vanilla, oak, and molasses bomb, in all the right ways. The nose is very complex and pleasant, while the palate throws down with some bold flavors, leading to a finish that keeps you warm as you savor the slightly bitter yet enjoyable individual notes.
Heaps of molasses and vanilla lead the nose, followed by a gingery cardemom, then brown sugar and butterscotch. The palate starts with brown sugar and molasses; these initial notes really reminds me of baking cookies with my mom in the kitchen, with brown sugar filling the air. Vanilla extract accompanies this memory and the other notes, leading to the finish of vanilla, bourbon-soaked oak, bitter spent mint, and allspice.
This is a delicious bottle and both Treaty Oak and the Dallas Fort Worth Rum Club should be proud!