Perfect for a smokey cokey Cuba Libre! 85/100
Banditti Club Smoky Rogues Rum
Banditti Club Rum
Despite the initial hit on the nose this is a pretty solid spiced rum and though I didn’t try it I can imagine this mixes well also. Plenty of festive spices to be found. 80/100
Domaine d’Aurensan 20 Ans
Woody but so drinkable, I hadn’t appreciated when sampling this that it wasn’t all 20 years old! Some soft floral notes but this is mostly wood and dried herbs and fruits with a generous nutty and chocolate component too, superb! 86/100
Chateau de Lacquy VSOP
Quite neutral despite its obvious fruity nature the sweetness has been tempered by plenty of wood talking here and saying good things. I really enjoyed this one. 85/100
Drouin Reserve Des Fiefs
Superb, creamy textured and vibrantly fruity this has something of a curd or yoghurty nature and the youth comes through as banana milkshake (estery and creamy). A great insight into Drouin’s base spirit nature. 84/100
J.G. Thomson Bold Jamaican Rum
Again another very pleasant spirit, perhaps a little affected by the gin sample previously but this gave me a real swimming pool/chlorine vibe on the nose. Other than that slightly off note and some solventy spirit on the palate this is pretty delicious oak aged rum. Plenty of sweet sugars and tropical fruits and some nice chocolate notes from the cask. 80/100
J.G. Thomson Citrus Dry Gin
Pleasant but still not converting me to like Gin. Drinkable as is, but reduced with a lot of water (or Tonic if you prefer, I simply didn’t have any to hand) this retains quite a lot of its sweeter citrus nature and entertaining herbality.
Pacory 12 Years Old
A well aged Clavados with plenty of wood influence but kept fresh with a touch of zest and plenty of fruit, smooth and creamy on the palate.
Le Clos d’Orval Calvados 12 Years Old
Wood overboard but still some soft baked apple fruit and toffee/caramel notes too. Another fine example of fruit and oak balance from le Clos d’Orval. 87/100
Pere Magloire VSOP South Islay Cask Finish
An interesting mix of peat-smoke and Calvados, quite light from the peaty whisky side which adds some darker notes of liqourice, clove and tar. 84/100
The Whiskyphiles 