2009-2020 Fiji - South Pacific - 1423 S.B.S - 57%
In the case of Fijian rum, I'm still looking for something that resembles a younger, distillate driven, 13 year old Berry Brother's & Rudd bottling that I purchased a few years ago. Despite the lower ABV (46%), the BBR didn't manage its proof well. Profile-wise, the 2004 Valinch & Mallet came closest to that mark, but similarly drank too young and spirit-y. Execution on longer-aged, barrel driven bottlings (XXX/four and Holmes Cay) have aligned more with my palate.
I'm hoping this younger offering gets more at the St. Lucia or Rockley-style (medicinal, honey, nutty, oily, maritime), drier styles than the dessert-y, barrel driven vibes which I enjoy but read as less unique.
When it comes to 1423 S.B.S, I've been interested in their releases after enjoying the Marsala finished Foursquares.
Nose: This is the nose I’ve been looking for. Super oily. Honey. Nuts. Underripe tropical fruits. Maritime notes. Seaweed. Lemon. Glue. Very reminiscent of the Berry Bros & Rudd nose that I loved.
Flavor: Medicinal and Industrial. Pine. Honey. Nutty and oily. Yuzu. Industrial notes - plastic, gasoline. Menthol.
Structure: Rolling. Long. Viscous.
Proof Integration: Spot on. Expressive and controlled.
Score: 9 (Stash Two) Not for everyone. Complex, sometimes challenging. Wide range of flavors that manage impressive harmony.
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Hamilton, cask strength, St. Lucia bottlings hit similar notes, but this bottling dials in the boozier notes, making it more accessible without sacrificing expressiveness or structure.
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