Husk 1866 Tumbulgum Rum

Nose: Brown sugar, musky vanilla, cedar sawdust, stonefruit and fresh oak. Herbal-grassy notes and a dash of water brings out soft mint aromas. There is an unusual aroma reminiscent of sherry. As it rests and opens, deeper honey and molasses emerge and the nose gains depth and complexity. Palate: The arrival is gentle and well balanced. More dry than sweet to start with but as it unfolds a sweet character with prominent caramelized sugar and oaky notes emerges. A hint of vanilla, some gentle warm spice and light oak tannin as well. The texture is creamy, soft and light. Finish: Medium. Nutty and caramel notes towards the finale. This is an Australian version of rhum agricole created from cane juice produced on site from the distillery's own cane crop. Their distillate is available as new-make spirit as well as this aged version. The 1866 expression was a one-off produced to mark the 150th anniversary of the local town, and the spirit was aged for 3 years in new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels. Although based on traditional rhums agricole, both in inspiration and production, this rum is more like a combination of agricole and gold rum with an emphasis on the aged component. It has the sweetness, depth and cask character of a gold rum but also retains a fresh, soft and grassy cane-sugar profile. It's pleasantly savory and a good sipping rum that does not have the syrupy nature of many aged rums and is not as funky as most rhums agricole. I thought it was very good and it's a pity it was a limited run. If this became a core-range product I'd keep a bottle on hand. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)