Duncan Taylor Blended Rum

This Caribbean blend comes from Duncan Taylor, the Scottish independent better known for whisky, carrying eleven years of age and bottled at 46% after Ex-Bourbon maturation. The blend is plainly Jamaica dominated, with the fruity, ester driven signature of the island leading the way, and several drinkers reach for Long Pond as the likely backbone.

The whisky house approach shows in the natural presentation and the clean Ex-Bourbon ageing, letting the Jamaican character carry. The nose is fresh and lively, unripe banana and tropical fruit alongside marshmallow and a floral note, then a palate of banana, vanilla, herbs and pineapple with real energy to it. The finish turns nutty and herbal with the banana holding on and a gentle warmth. With nothing added, the fruit is all distillate and cask, and the 46% gives it body without heat. It is a characterful, fruit forward blend that offers a lot of Jamaican personality for the money.