Romdeluxe Collectors Series No. 1 Imperial Navy

This is the first in RomDeluxe's Collector's Series, an eleven-year navy-strength blend bottled at 57.18% by the Danish house better known for its high-ester Wild Series. Unlike the budget Selected Series, the Collector's tier is unsweetened with transparent specs, so this is a dry, full-proof blend that leans on a Guyana-influenced backbone and ex-bourbon ageing rather than any added softness. The strength is well integrated for the proof.

The nose is large, with vanilla, mint, oak and menthol; the palate gives vanilla, caramel, spice and pepper, finishing minty, woody and a little bitter over oak. Drinkers praise its effortless, balanced character, with menthol, caramel, tropical fruit and oak, and note that the story behind it adds to the appeal, though a couple find the finish a touch bitter for their taste. Dry, menthol-tinged and Guyana-deep, it suits anyone who enjoys navy blends in the Black Tot mould but wants an unsweetened take with real strength and depth.