The Wild Parrot Clarendon 2007

The Wild Parrot is the rum line from the German bottler Wild Brennen, and this single cask Clarendon was distilled in 2007 and matured fifteen years. Clarendon supplies much of Jamaica's pot still backbone, and this expression leans into the funkier, varnish-flecked side of the distillery while keeping a generous fruit core, bottled at cask strength 60.5% with no added sugar.

The nose opens on varnish, mango, grapes and a nutty edge, the palate brings citrus, nuttiness, white chocolate and ester, and the finish carries grapes, nuttiness, caramelised sweetness and vanilla. Long tropical maturation in ex-bourbon wood deepens the colour and lends toasty, caramelised oak that frames the lively fruit and gentle funk. Intense but balanced in the mouth even at full proof, it is a characterful aged Clarendon for drinkers who enjoy tropical and citrus fruit wrapped in nut, toasted wood and a thread of solvent, with enough structure to reward slow sipping. A little water tames the early sharpness.