Produced at Travellers Liquors Distillery in Belize, this 15 year old rum is column distilled and aged in bourbon barrels, then bottled at cask strength. It’s the first “100% tropically aged” cask strength rum from Belize to be sold in the U.S. The nose is very bracing at first, but as the alcohol evaporates it reveals a wonderful and enjoyable intensity — dense aromas of well-roasted nuts, coffee bean, and oiled leather are all in effect, and it evokes in that lattermost sense some ultra-aged Scotch. There’s no mistake on the palate that you’re drinking rum, however. It kicks off with a gut-punch of molasses and brown sugar, then moves into more exotic territory. More coffee notes, some reduced red wine, and a fresh cola character all quickly emerge — don’t go looking for beachside tropical fruit here — followed by dusky, island spices — allspice, cloves, cinnamon, some nutmeg. Then there’s dark chocolate and a peppery character that feels right at home on the finish. This is an intense and effusive rum. Bottled at 61% abv.
