The Distillery S.B.S 2015 (Whisky & Rum Ijmuiden)

This Antigua 2015 comes from 1423's Single Barrel Selection, a single cask of Antigua Distillery rum drawn from one ex bourbon barrel and bottled unsweetened and non chill filtered at 55%. A 2015 vintage column still molasses rum at seven years, it carries the bourbon cask influence prominently in the transparent S.B.S style.

The nose is rich and dessert like, butterscotch and caramel alongside fig and papaya. The palate brings barrel, vanilla, caramel and banana with a Christmassy cinnamon roll warmth, while the finish turns dry, bitter and woody with a cedar note. The American oak is front and centre, generous on the nose but firm and slightly bitter on the palate where the alcohol pushes through. It is a robust, honest single cask for drinkers who enjoy bourbon forward, vanilla and caramel driven rum with a dry finish, ideally with a little time in the glass.