Review: 2004 Fiji 15 yr. - XXX/Four
Updated: Jan 21, 2021
2004 Fiji 15 yr. - South Pacific - XXX/Four - 66.8%
This is the third expression I've tried from South Pacific. My favorite to date was a Berry Brothers & Rudd 13 year 46% abv. Tasted like a super mellow St. Lucia pot still with tons of oily, nutty, and vegetal notes, slightly reminiscent of lower proof W.I.R.D. I've sampled. While I've enjoyed what I've tried, I haven't tasted one that inspired any stashing. I remind myself of that because I suspect the variety of independent bottlings we've seen over the past year won't last. Still, I try to avoid bunkering for bunkering's sake.
South Pacific operates column and pot stills. This release was pot distilled with 12 years of tropics aging before finishing maturation on the continent. No filtering, coloring, additives or dilution of any kind. This single cask was selected by r/rum and Aficionados. I've enjoyed past r/rum and Aficionados selections. My highlights there being: XXX/Three Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos.
Nose: Toasted coconut. Banana. Warm sugar glaze. Touch of gasoline. Plenty of oak. Mango. Plenty complex.
Flavor: Orange. Oak. Molasses. Coconut. Medicinal roots. Dark chocolate. Coffee.
Structure: Lean, but very dynamic. Medium length.
Alcohol Integration: Hot and patchy. A few drops of water bring out wood spice and earthiness on the nose but kill the fruit and burnt sugars. Water really opens the palate though, deepening and lengthening the structure, keeping it from drinking patchy, and bringing out some dark chocolate and coffee in the finish. Also cranks the medicinal notes. Yeah, I'm a big fan of a couple drops with this one. The sacrifices on the nose are worth it.
Score: 7 (Highly Recommended) Definitely won't steer clear of high proof Fijian rum with some age, knowing how well this one swam. Didn't drink like the teenage, continentally aged versions I'd previously tried. Wasn't as vegetal or oily as I expected. Still looking for the one that makes me want to tuck a few away.
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Both for structural similarities and its blend of mature oak, fruits, and complex sweets:
Kill Devil – Bellevue – Guadeloupe – 19 yr. – 59.7%
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