South Pacific S.B.S 2004

South Pacific S.B.S 2004 is a single cask Fiji rum from 1423's Single Barrel Selection, the Danish line built on transparent, unsweetened, cask strength bottlings. Distilled at the South Pacific Distillery in 2004 on a pot still and aged 18 years, it arrives at a formidable 68.3%, and it drinks in an unexpected direction.

Rather than the grassy, estery Fiji profile some expect, long ex bourbon ageing has pushed it toward a rounder, almost Spanish style character. The nose shows caramel, coconut and glue over an alcoholic lift, the palate turns to coconut, caramel, vanilla and chocolate, and the finish runs spicy and strong with dark chocolate and vanilla. It is surprisingly mild and oily for the strength, though it still benefits from water and time. Tasty and well made if atypical for its origin, it is a rewarding pour for experienced drinkers who enjoy dry, high strength rums and do not mind their Fiji wearing an unfamiliar coat.