Review: Denizen Jamaican Rum Finished in Port Casks 8 Years Old

“Hey, what this rum needs is something to make it even sweeter!” said, well, somebody must have said that, which is why Denizen must have decided to age an 8 year old Jamaican rum in Port casks.

We got a sample of this limited edition offering from Denizen’s Wanderer Series, which starts as a blend of four Jamaican rums — both pot and column distilled — aged eight years in bourbon barrels before spending 3 months in Port. It hits the bottle at a hefty 54% abv.

Denizen Jamaican Rum Finished in Port Casks 8 Years Old Review

Straight from the bottle and into the glass this is a truly unique experience, and not in the ways you would think. Rather than coming across as winey and dried-fruit-forward, the nose is thick with marzipan and spice, particularly ginger, which gives the rum a decidedly holiday vibe, with heavy aromas of well-browned butter. Time in glass evokes cinnamon toast, complete with some plump raisins studding the experience.

Similar tones evolve on the palate, which is also very buttery and spicy, weaving between fruitcake and butterscotch and back. Despite the oversized abv, the palate is surprisingly soft, well-tempered by lots of sugar and a bold banana note that comes across almost like pudding. While the nose eventually closes in a bit, the palate never lets up. The rum continues its tropical march and finishes with more almond and banana, layered heavily with ginger and nutmeg. Some barrel char notes are almost an afterthought as the rum fades away, adding just a hint of clove and anise to what is otherwise a monstrously sweet and candylike experience.

This needs to find a home in someone’s tiki cocktail repertoire pronto.

108 proof.

A- / $80

The post Review: Denizen Jamaican Rum Finished in Port Casks 8 Years Old appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.