Tarlac Distillery Corp. Luisita Single Barrel Single Estate PX Cask 2015

Luisita Single Barrel Single Estate PX Cask 2015 comes from Tarlac Distillery in the Philippines, an estate bottling that breaks from the soft Spanish style mould. This is molasses spirit distilled on a column still, drawn from a single 2015 barrel, finished in a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask and bottled unsweetened at a hefty 62%.

The spirit shows real character beneath the cask. The nose mixes dried and tropical fruit with spice and a nutty edge, the palate brings tropical fruit, dried apricot and licorice alongside a clear alcoholic punch, and the finish runs spicy, medicinal and licorice tinged. There is a fruity, slightly funky, almost briny side with olives in the mix, and the PX sits in support rather than smothering the distillate. At full strength it asks for a drop of water and some rest. A dry, intense and unusual estate rum for drinkers who want funk and sherry depth over easy sweetness.