Rare rum is not just purchasing bottles. It is about finding history, craft, and exotic flavors of the world. Every bottle has a story, that of the distillery, those who created it and the land where the sugarcane was cultivated. Rare rums tend to be few in number, aged over a long period of time, and prepared using old styles which produce rich and complex tastes.
To a novice, the rare rum world is intimidating. So how do you begin? What bottles should one invest in? And how do you make the mix, the drinking some and storing others up to drink afterwards?
Beenleigh 2013 Velier 10 Year Old 70cl
Being a good starter bottle in Australian rum collecting, the Beenleigh 2013 Velier 10 Year Old 70cl is a wonderful bottle. Beenleigh is an Australian distillery that was established very early within the country and this launch reflects why it has such a tremendous reputation. Aged ten years, its tasting notes include layers of caramel, tropical fruit and warm spice.
Caroni 23 Year Old 1997 Rum Sponge Edition
The Caroni 23 Year Old 1997 Rum Sponge Edition is a treasure that is dealt with by serious collectors. Caroni, a defunct Trinidad distillery, is mythical with its full bodied heavy style of rum. Caroni releases only get more rare with age and this 23-year-old bottling is already a highly sought after release.
The taste is assertive and multidimensional with the tones of molasses, tar, dried fruit, and oak. The old age mellows it and the smoothness balances its intensity. The possession of this bottle is not only limited to taste but also to keep a historical part of rum. A story that has to be in the portfolio of the new collector who wants to go big is Caroni.
Clairin Casimir 2018 70cl 49.5%
Haitian The Clairin Casimir 2018 70cl 49.5% is produced under traditional, artisanal techniques. Clairin rums are natural and unrefined, with the captivating nature of sugarcane and the special fermentation processes of the region.
Clairin Communal Ansyen 70cl 49.3%
The Clairin Communal Ansyen 70cl 49.3 is a mixture of rums of a number of famous Haitian distillers. It is aged in casks to add complexity and remains true to the wild, fresh flavour of Clairin but with light vanilla and oak notes.
To a collector, this bottle is a cheaper means of trying out an old form of style, which is gaining more respect in the global rum fraternity. It is also a good conversation piece, a reminder of Haiti and its rum to friends and other devotees.
Doorly’s XO 70cl 43%
The Doorly XO 70cl 43% is a beautiful example of how elegance and balance can show itself well in a rum, and this one is made in Barbados. It is aged and is finished in Oloroso sherry casks and has notes of dried fruit, vanilla and toffee.
Doorly’s 12 Year Old 70cl 43%
The Doorly 12 Year Old 70cl 43 percent is more mature and richer. More aged, it is more spicy, chocolate, and with a long, creamy finish. Its classic form is valued by collectors and it is an excellent upgrade of the XO by those who want to have a vertical range based on the same brand.
Doorly’s 14 Year Old 70cl 48%
The Doorlys 14 year old 70cl 48 percent is a unique one in terms of strength and complexity of flavor. It is a blend of rums that aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, which imparts it with notes of fruits, spice and oak.
Foursquare 2009 70cl 60%
The Foursquare 2009 70cl 60 is a full strength rum that demonstrates why Foursquare has a cult following by collectors. The higher ABV is full of tropical fruit, vanilla, and spice flavors balanced by oak.
It is a small batch bottling that will most likely appreciate in value. A lot of collectors prefer to purchase two of them, one to wear and one to keep in the package.
Foursquare Indelible 70cl 48%
Foursquare Indelible 70cl 48% The Foursquare Indelible is a special release aged in both bourbon and Zinfandel wine casks. This twofold maturity results in a unique combination of sweetness, fruit and mellow spice.
Foursquare is popular with collectors because it is transparent and well done, and Indelible is a rather creative and memorable bottling in this range.
Foursquare 2010 70cl 60%
The other masterpiece high strength is the Foursquare 2010 70cl 60%. It is daring, full-bodied, and well balanced with tasting notes of caramel, spice, and toasted oak.
The bottle is a great collectible since it was released in a small quantity and its quality is amazing. To a new collector of rare rum, it is an excellent example of why Foursquare is regarded as being one of the very best in the world.
Conclusion
To make your collection more interesting and worthwhile in the long run you should incorporate diversity by adding artisanal picks such as Clairin Casimir 2018 70cl 49.5% and elegant options such as Doorlys 14 Year Old 70cl 48 percent. Passion is what makes every great collection starts, and the boldness to unseal the first special bottle, at Liquor Kingdom.
