Uitvlugt 21 - The Rum Mercenary - 49%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
Really looking forward to try this expression from Uitvlugt distillery in Guayana because it was curiously distilled in the Port Mourant double wooden stills which were moved to Uitvlugt Distillery after Port Mourant's closure, before they ended up at Diamond Distillery, where they are still used nowadays. That's one example of a turbulent history.
Nose
Sandalwood, myrrh in an orthodox church, new plastics, Afri Coke, wet cement on a construction site, wet cardboard and one rusty iron nail, distant cigarette smoke, plums, apricots, camphor. How uniquely beautiful. Very Springbank-y acutally, but in a tropic guise.
With water: It's getting really mineralic and more camphory now. We bloody love everything that smells close to camphor or menthol in our whisky or rum, so big time here.
Very nicely balanced, no aroma is too dominant.
Palate
Savoury, ester-y. Heavy mouthfeel. Plastics, sweet sour mango and a slight cocoa bitterness (those 99% chocolate ones). Also grassy with woodruff and bisongrass.
With water: Getting fresher. Some fresh cut woods appeared.
Finish
Long and bitter with grapefruits and several kinds of rubbers.
Rating
Still astonishing how destillation in wooden stills is possible, both technically and regulatory. Would definitely not happen in Germany or elswhere in europe (already seeing some EU officials drawing out their legal requirements and safety books). Very beautiful and fascinating rum style.
