Review: Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAW and SAWP
Holmes Cay (pronounced “key”) Rum is an independent bottler that showcases rums sourced from some of the finest distilleries around the globe. While rum is often linked with the Caribbean in the minds of many Americans, its production spans far beyond those shores. Founded in 2019 by Eric Kaye, Holmes Cay curates select single casks from a variety of distinguished distilleries worldwide, highlighting the diversity within the rum category.
The latest additions to the Holmes Cay lineup come from Mhoba Rum, a boutique distillery located at Strathmore Farm near Malalane in South Africa. Established in 2013 by Robert Greaves, Mhoba distills single-origin pure Agricole-style rum made from freshly pressed organic sugarcane juice grown on the Mhoba Sugar Estate. Unique to Mhoba is the use of Nkomazi sugarcane, a blend of the N49 and N57 cultivars.
Mhoba’s production process is marked by its artisanal approach: wild fermentation takes place outdoors in plastic vats over 28 days, followed by 100% pot still distillation using three custom-built stills — one spirit still and twin 500-liter stripping stills — all operating at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level where the boiling point sits at 94 degrees Celsius.
The two newest Holmes Cay Single Cask releases, labeled South Africa Mhoba SAW (South African Whisky) and South Africa Mhoba SAWP (South African Peated Whisky), were distilled in 2018. Each spent at least six years maturing in whisky casks formerly used by the James Sedgwick Whisky Distillery in Wellington, Western Cape — home to expressions like Bain’s Cape and Three Ships. These rums were aged and bottled without additives in the subtropical climate surrounding the Mhoba Distillery. Only two casks exist of each expression, peated and non-peated, and both are exclusive to Holmes Cay.
Back in 2021, Drinkhacker reviewed the Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba 2017, marking the first time South African rum entered the U.S. market. Now, with an additional two years of aging behind them, these new releases add another chapter to Holmes Cay’s global rum story. Let’s take see what that new chapter looks like!
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAW Review
This expression was aged in a non-peated South African whisky cask, with only 470 bottles produced. The nose opens with a clear note of caramel, quickly followed by the sharp scent of a fresh Sharpie marker. As the initial notes settle, overripe apricots and lemongrass round out the experience with a mix of fruit and green character.
On the palate, green apple and lemon zest provide a bright and pointed opening. As the flavor develops, brown butter and salted caramel add richness that works well with the thick mouthfeel. Toward the finish, burnt grass appears alongside mango and grilled pineapple. Right at the end, burnt brown sugar adds a final dry edge.
Overall, this is an enjoyable rum with a mix of fruit, char, and savory notes. It feels personal and thoughtfully made. For those interested in small-scale producers doing something different, this bottle is worth trying. 118 proof. B+ / $160 (700 ml)
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAWP Review
This expression was aged in a South African peated whisky cask, with a total of 510 bottles produced. The nose starts with a green character, calling to mind charred zucchini. That note gives way to something lighter, like coconut water. As the aroma develops, it shifts toward heavier territory — burnt marshmallow and rubber cement bring a slightly offbeat, almost industrial edge to the experience.
The palate begins with orange peel, including both the bright citrus oil and the bitterness of the pith. A drying sensation follows, with notes of leather and seaweed. Just before the finish, grilled pineapple appears, adding a small touch of fruit. The finish itself carries burnt caramel and a bit of black licorice, ending with a faint trace of brine.
Between the two expressions, the peated cask version feels more unusual and stands out more. However, I’m not sure I prefer it over the non-peated counterpart. The mix of peated whisky notes and rum creates a flavor combination I haven’t come across before. It doesn’t always come together cleanly, but it holds your attention. While I find the standard version more enjoyable overall, this one pulls you in through its unpredictability and the way it makes you think more carefully about what you’re tasting. 118 proof. B/ $160 (700 ml)
The post Review: Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAW and SAWP appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.