Beenleigh Bourbon Barrel Aged Rum

Beenleigh is one of Australia's oldest working distilleries, and this bottling shows its house style at an early stage, just two and a half years in ex bourbon casks and reduced to 40%. The nose is strikingly fruity and resinous, opening on fresh apples and pears before turning toward sap, juniper berries and pine needles, an almost gin like resin that gives the rum its character.

On the palate it is soft and a little thin, an expected consequence of the dilution, with roasted notes, a touch of cardamom and a fresh, green lift. The finish stays fruity and dry with that juniper and woody signature carrying through. Made from molasses in the standard distillery manner, it is an honest everyday rum rather than a deep aged sipper, and its young strength means the spirit is not always seamlessly knit. A fair introduction to Australian rum for anyone curious about the category.