1999 Bristol Classic, Port Mourant, 23-Year-Old, Rum, Guyana (47.2%)

This wonderful rum shows the fruits of historic production methods – both ageing and distillation. This was distilled on the ancient Port Mourant still – the world’s only operating, wooden, double pot still. This survivor of Guyana’s historic rum tradition produces a spirit of extreme richness and complexity. The cask then spent a handful of years in the tropical climate of its homeland before being shipped to a quieter, cooler, damper maturation warehouse in England.

This change enabled gentle development of flavour complexity and softening texture. There are thick treacle, stewed fruits and purple jelly baby flavours. Spice notes hover around with anise, fennel seed and eucalyptus. Most joyous of all, the mouthfeel is effortless, paying true testament to the many years of cold-climate slumber. 

Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd