Rum Albrecht Bovens Echter Arrak

Bovens Echter Arrak is an overproof rum from Indonesia, bottled by the German outfit Rum Albrecht at 58%. Indonesian arrack is one of the old roots of rum history, a molasses based spirit traditionally fermented with local botanical and rice cake starters, which gives it a distinctive funky, perfumed character quite unlike Caribbean rum.

Unaged and at full overproof strength, the spirit comes through raw and expressive, the nose carrying sugarcane, a green vegetal freshness and a noticeably perfumed top note. The palate is strong and spicy with a clear arrack signature and a fruity edge, the proof giving everything real intensity. There is no sweetening or cask softening to hide behind, so this is firmly a spirit for those who enjoy high strength, funk forward unaged rums and arrack styles. It rewards a careful approach, neat in small measures or as a potent backbone in tiki and punch builds where its aromatics carry.