Velier Chamarel Warren Khong 2011

Bottled by the Italian house Velier, the most prestigious name in collectible rum, this Warren Khong release is a 2011 single cask from Chamarel on Mauritius, six years old at cask strength, 55.5%. Chamarel works from fresh sugarcane juice, an agricole-style spirit, here given Velier's full-proof, additive-free treatment.

Pot distilled and matured in ex-bourbon oak, it shows a somewhat restrained, spirit-forward character. The nose is reserved with vanilla, raisin, wood and a fruit-schnapps lift, the palate brings vanilla, tropical fruit, wood and black pepper, and the finish carries barrel, vanilla, spice and raisin. The alcohol is fairly present and the profile sits on the leaner, more one-dimensional side for a bottling of this pedigree, closer to a fruit brandy than a rich aged rum. The added-sugar status is not documented and reads dry. A clean, woody cane-juice rum that rewards patience in the glass.