Rest & Be Thankful Clarendon AHJ 1998

Clarendon, also known for its Monymusk marks, is the workhorse of central Jamaica, running both pot and column. The AHJ mark sits at the lighter, lower-ester end of its pot-still range, and this Rest and Be Thankful bottling gives it 25 years of ageing as a single cask, drawn unsweetened at a near 60% strength.

Matured in ex-bourbon wood, the long maturation has pushed it toward a dry, mineral, almost briny character rather than ripe fruit. Citrus and spice meet woody, peppery and nutty notes, with anise and an overripe edge on a savoury finish. There is honeyed sweetness underneath and some tannic bitterness to manage, so this is not an easy sipper but a focused, concentrated one. It will appeal to drinkers who prefer their Jamaica salty, spicy and woody over tropical and funky.