South Pacific RA Rum 2001

This South Pacific RA Rum 2001 is a single cask Fiji distilled at the South Pacific Distilleries and bottled in Germany by Heinz Eggert under the Rum Artesanal label, a house working firmly in the unsweetened, full proof tradition. At twenty years old and 62.8 percent it is a serious, ester forward expression of Fijian rum, a style that earns frequent comparison to heavy Jamaican pot still funk. Aged from a 2001 vintage, it carries real maturity alongside its strength.

Distilled from molasses and matured in ex bourbon wood, it pushes funky strawberry cream candy, banana and tropical fruit against solventy glue and acetone notes at the high end of the ester scale. Underneath, the roasting, barrel char, dark chocolate and a creamy edge give it body and weight, and the finish runs long, dry and roasted. The alcohol is well integrated for the proof, but this is a pour for drinkers ready for the wilder, funkier end of the spectrum, rewarding patience and a little water.