MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2022

MHOBA distils in South Africa from fresh pressed sugar cane juice in the agricole style, though outside the French islands it uses the term cane juice rum. This Select Reserve is a single cask matured in French oak and bottled unsweetened at a blazing 65%, a young and uncompromising spirit despite only a year in wood.

The pot still character runs hot and wild. The nose is strong and estery with solvent and rubbery notes alongside fruit, and the palate keeps that funk, layering fruity esters and more solvent over French oak spice and light sweetness. The finish is dominated by barrel and ester, with the alcohol surprisingly well integrated for the strength. This will not feel friendly to newcomers. It rewards experienced palates and a splash of water, a big, funky cane juice rum for drinkers who like Jamaican esters and intense agricole turned up loud.