Bottled exclusively for V&B France
Jamaican rum, Clarendon Distillery, 1995 vintage, first maturation in ex-bourbon casks, second maturation in 2022 in new 100-litre casks, European oak, lightly toasted, with acacia heads, a few months in stainless steel vats, allowing the distillate to breathe gently, 6 years in continental conditions, and 24 years in tropical conditions, 64,4% ABV, Single Cask and Cask Strength, only 165 bottles, 500ml
« Respect Da Old Man ! Let it sit and catch its breath for a while. It will then tell you unheard stories of ancient times. »
Colour : Deep auburn
Nose : The initial nose is dense, dark and extremely deep. Scents of glue and varnish rise up, evoking a freshly waxed solid wood cabinet housing a silverware set. The atmosphere is dark, refined and noble, like freshly brewed black coffee accompanied by dark chocolate truffles and roasted hazelnuts. Then, little by little, the profile opens up: tropical fruits ripen before your eyes, multiplying, mango, papaya, candied pineapple, accompanied by stewed red fruits, a drizzle of apricot syrup and subtle petrol notes. Time transforms the glass, each minute revealing a new facet.
Palate : Maturity is fully expressed. The balance between the beauty of 30 years of ageing and the vitality brought by the new cask is remarkable. We find that elegant, almost mystical darkness, notes of roasted coffee and old leather, enveloped in fleshy tropical fruits: melting mango, sweet papaya, bright blackcurrant, all enhanced by a subtle menthol freshness. The texture is full-bodied, velvety and exceptionally elegant.
Finish : Endless. The fruit lingers endlessly, exotic, red, candied, supported by a woody warmth, coffee and a hint of sweet spices. A vibrant finish that seems to go on forever.
Conclusion : A true monument. A rum of exceptional depth, which commands silence to better recount its thirty years of history. A sensory journey to be savoured slowly, allowing time to work its magic, one sip at a time.