Whisky & Rhum L‘Esprit Single Estate Salvadoran Rum 2013

L'Esprit Single Estate Salvadoran Rum 2013 is a single cask from El Salvador, selected by the French house Whisky & Rhum for its L'Esprit label and bottled at full cask strength, 65.5%, after ten years in ex-bourbon. L'Esprit has a name for hunting out expressive single barrels, and this is a notably well knit example.

The striking thing is how composed it feels for the strength, with the alcohol tucked neatly behind the flavour. The nose offers oak, citrus and raisin with a roasted edge, while the palate turns toasty and rich, chocolate and honey over firm oak. The finish carries cocoa, a creamy dairy note and biscuit. There is plenty of sweetness, honey, vanilla and marzipan, drawn from the wood rather than additives. It is a generous, dessert leaning single cask that drinks far more easily than its proof suggests, ideal for those who like big ex-bourbon richness without harshness.