Old New Orleans Rum Amber

Amber is a seven year old rum from Old New Orleans Rum, one of the early American artisan distilleries, aged in Ex-Bourbon oak and bottled at 40%. It comes from the Louisiana cane tradition and sits in the small producer category, where character and rough edges often travel together.

The Ex-Bourbon ageing is meant to smooth things, but the nose is the weak point, sharp and pungent with solvent, a rubbery note and an aggressive edge that some find genuinely off putting. The palate fares better, honey leading alongside a fermented, tropical fruit note that carries into a warm finish. The result is a divisive bottling, more interesting in the mouth than on the nose, and clearly the work of a young distillery finding its feet. With no sweetening to mask it, the spirit is on full display, warts and all, which will appeal to drinkers who value rawness and frustrate those after polish.