Swell de Spirits Travellers Private Garden #18 (Premium Spirits Belgium) 2008

Swell de Spirits selected this seventeen year old Travellers Belize, distilled in 2008 and bottled as a single cask for Premium Spirits Belgium at a hefty 59.9%. It draws immediate Foursquare comparisons, a creamy, chocolatey and coconut driven rum with the richness and balance that style is loved for, made all the more impressive by its full proof presentation.

Matured in ex bourbon at tropical strength, the nose offers coconut, milk chocolate, woody notes and caramel, while the palate brings vanilla custard, more coconut, caramelised sugar and coffee over a silky body that carries the alcohol remarkably well. The finish stays spicy, woody and velvety. Notably, this shows less of the usual Belize coconut and more of a refined Foursquare direction, with the column character softened. A rich, well integrated single cask for experienced palates who enjoy chocolatey, creamy cask strength rum sipped neat.