South Pacific RA Rum FSDP 2001

This South Pacific FSDP 2001 is a Rum Artesanal bottling in the unsweetened full proof single cask tradition, drawing a 2001 Fijian cask aged twenty two years. It is a challenging, polarising expression, with herbal, medicinal and resinous notes leading the nose alongside spice and glue rather than the island's usual fruit forward funk.

Matured in ex bourbon wood and bottled cask strength at 59.3% and unsweetened, the palate runs herbal, woody and medicinal with a dry feel, finishing on roasted, herbal and spicy wood. Juniper, fennel and pine resin dominate over a base of dried fruit and light smoke, making it read almost like a botanical essence. The strength is high and the alcohol assertive, so this is firmly a neat sipper for the curious. Drinkers who enjoy quirky, herbal cask strength rums will find it a fascinating curveball, while devotees of classic fruity Fiji should approach with caution.