Nose: Banana, grilled pineapple, fresh-cut grass, rotting guava and mango, a touch of diesel oil, brine (pickle water), axle grease, orange peel, thyme, bitter almonds, oaky vanilla. A pleasantly hefty nose (once it has oxidised - see below). Palate: On first opening the bottle the palate was brittle and borderline metallic, but with oxidisation it has softened to the point where the arrival is sweet, brisk, bright and fruity but still has some sharp notes (herbal lozenges, green olives, lemon and oak tannin). The development is more relaxed and shows lots of tropical fruit, almost-burnt caramel and orange oil, and it veers towards nearly being sweet but there is a hot chilli catch towards the mid-development. The texture is lightly greasy, leathery and “bristling” (if that makes any sense) and there is a grassy agricole note. Finish: Medium/long. Fruity hogo and almost sour fruit notes with lots of spice. There’s a minty, anise quality in the aftertaste. Lots of lovely fruity hogo on the nose. When I first opened the bottle it seemed very sharp and spiky but after a couple of weeks with some air in it the nose has relaxed and become deliciously inviting. Similarly, the palate was a little tense at first but with some air it has calmed down and developed sweetness. Overall this is well balanced and a good introduction to Jamaican rum. It lacks the challenge and class of a really top shelf deep-ester pot-still rum, but it is more accessible. If you taste this and don’t like it then high-ester rums are not your thing. If you find it intriguing, particularly the aromas, then there are many more intense and spectacular hogo rum experiences awaiting. Good sipping and even if you don't like it neat it makes a stunning Cuba libre. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)