Privateer Distiller's Drawer #112 - Nautical Dawn - 59%
From Privateer: We had long desired Calvados casks for doing a final maturation of the spirit and at long last we got some in early 2020. This rum was selected along with its sister barrel, Nautical Twilight, to show how two casks aged from the same rum, side by side in the same barrel types, can be so connected yet express flavors that are worlds apart.
I've been a fan of the Distiller's Drawer series in the past. The runs Maggie Campbell did in her time at Privateer far exceeded my expectations for young New England rum.
Notes: Nose pops big toffee out the gate. Red apples. Molasses. Nice clarity, if not overly complex. Oak plays younger on the palate. Touch of popsicle stick (not my favorite). But that's a minor detour. Palate is full up front with caramel. Lots of great fruit - apple, blackberry. The molasses returns on the back end. Higher ABV is handled very well.
Score: 7 (Highly Recommend) Drinks more mature than its age (only betrayed briefly by the popsicle sticks). The calvados casks seem to have imparted a well integrated fruitiness that I really enjoyed.
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