Whisky & Rhum Clarendon L‘Esprit 2004

Bottled under the L'Esprit label by Whisky & Rhum, this is a 16 year old Clarendon distilled in 2004. Clarendon is a workhorse Jamaican estate running both pot and column stills, and this cask strength release lands at a formidable 66.4 percent, putting the spirit's tropical fruit and funk on full display.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it opens opulent and fruity, with vanilla, citrus and ripe tropical notes alongside a beam of caramel sweetness, before the palate turns intense and spicy with dark chocolate and a bitter edge. The finish runs long on green pepper, allspice, menthol, oak and pineapple. Bottled unsweetened, the high strength needs careful handling and a drop of water to settle, rewarding drinkers who enjoy big, structured Jamaican rum with plenty of spice and grip.