Fine Spirits Beenleigh Rum of the World 2014

This Rum of the World release is a single cask of Beenleigh rum from Queensland, Australia, one of the southern hemisphere's oldest registered distilleries, selected by independent bottler Fine Spirits. Distilled in a pot still from molasses in 2014, it is matured around five years in an ex-bourbon barrel and bottled unsweetened at cask strength of 50%.

The nose is floral and fruity with apricot, vanilla and coconut, the palate brings cocoa and vanilla over a woody, slightly sharp base, and the finish stays warm with vanilla and a geranium-like floral edge alongside the alcohol. Tasters find it pleasant on the nose and delicately spicy in the mouth, with the price-to-quality balance landing well. As a dry, full-proof Australian single cask it offers an honest snapshot of a distillery rarely seen in Europe, characterful and floral, best given a little water to settle the sharper edges.