Review: Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum – Trinidad 2012 11 Years Old and Barbados 2009 Premier Cru
Holmes Cay recently dropped two new of its single cask rum releases, both from familiar islands in the Caribbean — and both with some interesting backstory to them. Let’s dive in.
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Trinidad 2012 11 Years Old – This is the beginning of a new series of rums from the former 10 Cane distillery in Trinidad, starting with this 11 year old. It’s the start of a vertical release, as Holmes Cay will be releasing a few casks each with at least one extra year of age in barrel. So next year we’re likely to see a 2012 12 Years Old, and so on… until the juice runs out. As for release #1, rum fans are in for few surprises, the nose running to sweet molasses, toasted marshmallow, and toasted oak — with just a slight tough of hogo and sherried fruit in the mix. The palate is quite floral, with elements of tea leaf, then more molasses, followed by a soothing salted caramel and chocolate note, with hints of raspberry in the mix. Coconut and more caramel on the finish help take the edge off the otherwise big, bold experience. There’s nothing off in these tasting notes, which makes me wonder why I didn’t enjoy this more effusively than I did. But I kind of thought the same thing about 10 Cane back in the day. Curious to see where this goes with time. 118 proof. B+ / $140
Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Barbados 2009 Premier Cru – A rare finished rum from Holmes Cay, this Foursquare rum spent 12 years in bourbon casks then goes into first growth Bordeaux cask for a full 2 years. The unusual nose is quite savory, brooding, and a little earthy, with notes of anise and coffee evident. Sulfury molasses lingers. On the palate, the experience is far sweeter, with immediate, oxidized, sherry-like overtones, with aggressive notes of grapefruit-like citrus, mandarins, and honey-saturated graham crackers. Enduringly sweet and fruity on the finish, the rum offers a powerful, boozy conclusion with echoes of chocolate and vanilla. A curious journey indeed. 110 proof. A- / $170
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