Overview
Aged dark rum is the base cane spirit produced at The Grove Distillery. Aged for two years in ex bourbon barrels, it states tasting notes of toffee, raisins, dried fruit, cherry and Crème Brûlée.
Review Bottle Source
I bought this bottle with my own cash money from The Grove Distillery's web store.
Production
I have not pinned down exact numbers, but The Grove Distillery claims to run slightly longer fermentation produces a subtle "funk" with an ester count at the lower end of the rum spectrum.
This wash is then run through a 450L copper hybrid pot/column Arnold Holstein still.
The distilled rum is aged for at least two years in 50l ex-bourbon style American white oak barrels.
The aged dark rum then matures on site in Margaret River, Western Australia.
Review
Glass & Aroma
In the glass is thick golden orange, brown to me, when viewed from above it is translucent and becomes opaque from the side. The legs are thin and medium speed. On the nose I get warm, sweet and wood, it is very pleasant and inviting to drink.
Taste
Very smooth, the main flavour is the same as the wood aroma. It tastes low and then evolves into something else lighter while spreading a tingling burn. Mouth feel is good, it feels full and thick, it rolls around and coats your face. While the smell was a bit sweet, it tastes neutral there, no sweet or sour or bitter.
Finish
The wood flavour seems to evaporate out and leaves what is maybe a dried fruit. The burn evolves into a higher tingle that lingers on.
Uses
I have been using this for cocktails and have been very happy.
Verdict
This rum is solid, it can be drunk neat and puts in work for cocktails that want to be built around an aged rum.