Objective Notes

Very Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

In the glass, a beautiful natural mahogany color of amber tinted with orange.  Aromas begin with a pleasant perfume of sugar cane grass, vanilla, oak, honey, brown sugar, molasses, a bit of nutmeg, hints of clove, and a whiff of smoke, all very pleasing as the alcohols are well integrated.  Initial Tasting brings out a refined dry rum that’s easy on the palate, with flavors of vanilla, honey, caramelized sugar and a light dusting of nutmeg.  A medium-full, dry-not-treacley body hangs on the tongue for a surprisingly long duration before giving up to a finish that is long, honey-sweet, and mildly warm.

Anecdotal Notes

During RnD’s visit to the ancient Westerhall Estate distillery grounds in 2006, our contact indicated he were considering releasing an older aged rum in a few years.  By the time I  returned to Grenada in October 2009, the new product had been released, but without any fanfare outside of Grenada. RnD are big fans of Westerhall’s spirits (their Plantation rum makes and especially good Fidel Castro), so I was anxious to try the new rum.  After docking my boat in St. Georges, I sat down with an old sailing friend at the Victory Bar and sampled Westerhall’s latest release. Well done!  It’s just what we’d hoped for:  smoother, more colorful and flavorful than their light Plantation rum.  Neither too complex nor overtly upscale to be considered snobbish or even an instant classic, Westerhall Vintage Rum is a fine traditional sipping rum, and a worthy addition to any collection.

Taster’s Opinion

Dave – In an effort to control costs, Westerhall chose to use the same bottle for their high-end Vintage rum as used by their Plantation product.  Other than the batch numbered label and the color of the wax used to seal the hefty synthetic cork (gold wax replaces black), the bottles are identical.  Considering the significant qualitative upward step Westerhall’s Vintage Rum represents, a unique bottle would do justice to its finer quality.  But it’s what inside that counts, and Westerhall Vintage Rum scores a home run.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Dave  - 8.5 Flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Dave in October, 2009 in the Victory Bar, Port Louis, St. Georges, Grenada, West Indies

*750ml unless otherwise stated.