Barikenn South Pacific FPBP 2012

This Barikenn bottling is a single cask pot still rum from South Pacific Distilleries in Fiji, distilled in 2012 and bottled at eight years and a robust 58.5%. It captures the classic Fijian profile in full, ester driven and a little wild, and is aimed at drinkers ready for a punchy, characterful rum rather than a gentle introduction.

Matured in an ex-bourbon cask, it opens with overripe banana, solvents and fermented tropical fruit, and the palate brings ginger, mineral notes and clear alcohol with banana underneath, before a woody, roasted, fruity finish carrying honey and a hint of smoke. The mineral, herbal edge is typical of Fiji, and at full strength it is best sipped slowly and with focus. For those who enjoy the funkier, high strength side of Fijian rum, it rewards patience in the glass.