MHOBA IMBASHA Foundations 2024

MHOBA is a South African distillery working with fresh pressed sugar cane juice, agricole in method if not in the protected name, and this Imbasha Foundations is a single cask bottled unsweetened at a hefty 61.5%. It leans into a Jamaican style high ester profile, fruity and funky, and is firmly for experienced palates who like their rum bold.

Made from fresh cane juice and bottled at natural strength, it carries a big ester driven character. The nose runs esters, fresh and vegetal notes over an intense fruitiness, the palate turns to esters, fruit, wood and caramel, and the finish keeps the wood, esters, citrus and pineapple going with a medicinal, mentholated edge. There is real tropical fruit, spice and woody warmth here once it has rested, and at this strength it is best enjoyed neat in small pours, a characterful funk bomb for drinkers who chase bold ester driven rum.