Spirit Gallery T.D.L HEAVY 2009

Spirit Gallery bottled this heavy TDL from the 2009 vintage, drawn at 16 years and presented at cask strength, 65.1%. TDL, Trinidad Distillers Limited within the Angostura group, is best known for light, fragrant column rum, but it also produces these denser heavy marks that sit far closer to the serious end of the island's output.

Distilled from molasses and matured in ex-bourbon oak, this is a powerful, structured Trinidad rum. Intense red and tropical fruits lead, lifted by a strong mint and menthol freshness, with dark fruit, molasses, leather and spicy, slightly mineral oak filling out a dense, dry palate. The 65.1% is fierce and demands a rest in the glass and a little water, after which the fruit and oak open into a long, structured finish. Bottled unsweetened, it is a heavyweight, savoury Trinidad rum for drinkers who like their TDL big, minty and full proof, and want plenty of depth to work through slowly.