Jamaica Rum <H> 2014 10 years old For Dr. Whisky & Pals by Cask Le Sens

As a distinguished cask broker specializing in premium whiskies and rums for independent bottlers and whisky enthusiasts, Cask Le Sens curates exceptional releases featuring rare and aged expressions.

Dr. Whisky and his companions are a young generation of whisky enthusiasts from Tainan City in southern Taiwan. This close-knit group of whisky buddies share remarkably similar palates and appreciation for exceptional expressions. Beyond their passion for whisky, they are equally devoted rum aficionados - particularly Dr. Whisky, who has developed a deep fascination with high-ester Jamaican rums.

Our paths crossed at a tasting event in late 2024, where we coincidentally had a pair of rum samples to showcase our own current stock selections. After sampling both expressions, Dr. Whisky's immediate and enthusiastic "yes" led to this duo release together with the 'younger brother' with similar specifications from 2015.

The group enlisted their talented friend Smile, a village illustrator who specialises in charming depictions of animals in everyday life scenarios. Given Dr. Whisky and his friends' shared love for cats and dogs, they wanted these beloved companions featured on the labels, resulting in these delightfully cute and colourful designs.

This remarkable pair, despite being distilled only six months apart, showcases completely different styles from the same Jamaican distillery. The ester mark <>H represents one of the distillery's mid-high ester classifications, with ester levels measured in grams per hectolitre of pure alcohol (g/HLPA). <>H indicates 900-1000g/HLPA, containing high concentrations of ethyl butyrate that deliver distinctive pineapple, banana, and tropical fruit characteristics.

This 2014 rum demonstrates exceptional balance between its ester complexity, stone fruit and tropical fruit notes, and bright acidity (derived from cane juice vinegar used in production) - all while maintaining remarkable drinkability despite its formidable 66.4% abv.

Distillery: Undisclosed Jamaica Rum <>H

Distilled: 28 Nov 2014

Bottled: 3 Dec 2024

Cask: 4 years Tropical Ageing in the Caribbean, and 6 years Continental Ageing in Refill Rum Barrel #434856

Outturn: 114

Abv: 66.4% 

Illustration: Smile Liang, Taiwan

WhiskyFun Review: 91