Thailand 9 yr. - Raising Glasses "Manora" - 55.5%
Distilled at an undisclosed Thai distillery, this unadulterated rum partially aged in Thailand (5 yrs.) and the UK (4 yrs.), distilled on a column still from molasses. This bottling was a blend of two casks (I'm assuming Kinnaree and Kinnara). If so, there was likely some dilution to ease the blending as this comes in under the proofing on the individual casks.
Raising Glasses is an independent bottler of rum and whisky out of Massachusetts, focusing primarily on single casks. They provided this sample for review.
Notes: Out of the raising glasses Thailand releases, this has the biggest barrel influence on the nose with tons of burnt sugars and oak. Some clear vegetal notes - brussel sprouts, grilled asparagus. Structure suffers a bit from the blending and maybe proofing down - touch flabby - and loses some of the distillate driven notes of the others. Palate is vanilla, dragon fruit, oak - very round and playing mid-range. Slight maritime notes in the finish - roe.
Pour This For: Fans of Ron Barrilito or other barrel driven spanish style bottlings will find this a pleasant upgrade.
Score: 5 (Acceptable) Slightly over integrated on the palate, less defined from individual notes to overall structure. All that said, this is better than most of the rum we've been drinking stateside and offers some easy transitions for whisky and lighter style rum drinkers.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour