They’ve been making rum right here in some kind for nearly three centuries, in a 500-acre property anchored by waving cane fields on the southern coast of Grenada.
As you stroll across the grounds, you discover the remnants of centuries of sugarcane custom — and a flowing pure spring.
Whereas the nonetheless right here is now solely an artifact, the Westerhall model bottles a few of the best rum within the Jap Caribbean, with Grenada a vital a part of the method, from the getting old to the native water used to complete off the rum.
Grenada’s tradition-filled rum business has been within the information of late due to the high-profile venture by Renegade Rum to domesticate and distill sugarcane-juice rum on the island (one thing we’ve written about extensively in these pages). In reality, Westerhall’s cane fields are one of many sources of Renegade’s bold sugarcane manufacturing initiative, and one in every of Renegade’s terroir-focused expressions is definitely referred to as Westerhall.
Westerhall continues to push ahead, producing a rum that may be very well-liked in Grenada and the Jap Caribbean particularly, with a variety of expressions from white rums to the wonderful 10-year rum referred to as 10XO.
Whereas the model doesn’t reveal the supply of its distillates, the connoisseur ought to instantly deduce its provenance — and be somewhat delighted, significantly with the most recent premium rum to emerge from Grenada.
Timed to rejoice Grenada’s celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its independence final month, Westerhall has launched a brand new rum referred to as, merely, XXO.
The expression, bottled at 43 levels, is a mix of 23-year-old rums aged in a mixture of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks, and the result’s one thing somewhat particular certainly.
So what’s it like?
The nostril is stuffed with orange peel, bourbon and bittersweet chocolate, with a touch of black pepper.
The flavour profile is marked by darkish chocolate, espresso, creme brulee and a touch of black cherry.
This can be a luxurious rum, with a velvety mouthfeel and super stability; the 43-degree choice was spot on, offering a welcome mix of magnificence and persona.
Whereas rum is undoubtedly premiumizing, the panorama of ultra-premium rum, significantly within the molasses rum house, continues to be a small one — with new editions nonetheless comparatively uncommon.
That’s what makes Westerhall’s new launch so welcome. It’s one of the best new rum within the Caribbean proper now (only a few weeks out, thoughts you), and one of the best we’ve had up to now this 12 months. However if you wish to discover a bottle, you’ll seemingly have to go for Grenada – and the 300-year-old property — to take action.
Rum Journal Score: 95 Factors
— CJ
