Samaroli DDL Demerara Rum 1998

Samaroli, the historic Italian house known for elegant single casks at deliberately lowered strength, selected this 1998 Guyanese rum from Demerara Distillers and bottled it unsweetened. It sits on the drier, more savoury side of the Demerara family, with the tobacco, leather and wood that mark an aged continental Guyanese spirit. At eighteen years and a reduced proof, it favours poise over power.

Molasses based and matured in ex-bourbon oak, it noses on tobacco, leather, herbal notes and wood, with chocolate and burnt sugar underneath, then carries spice, a burnt edge, wood and tobacco onto the palate before a smoky, spiced, somewhat lean finish. The reduction to 45% keeps it gentle, and though it can read a touch edgy and watery in the body, it still carries plenty of savoury flavour for the strength. A dry, tobacco driven Demerara from a respected purist bottler, offering good value for an aged single cask.