2006 El Dorado, BBR Exclusive Cask, 18-Year-Old, Rum, Guyana (48.8%)

I ventured a long way to find this cask. Visiting the fascinating Diamond Distillery in the Guyanese capital, Georgetown, marked my first foray to the continent of South America in search of special things to bottle for Berry Bros. & Rudd. It was an absolute delight to venture into one of the cavernous warehouses to taste some casks that featured rum made on the ancient Versailles single wooden Pot Still.

Instantly heartwarming for this confirmed rum lover, the nose is pure old Demerara rum – richly spiced, nutty, treacly and heavyweight dark fruit. Expansive in the mouth, with chewy confectionary and gooey compote, this is one for slowly sipping and sharing with any fellow devotees of fine rum.

Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (October 2024)