Review #637; Rum #124: Mhoba High Ester Rum (Batch 2019HE2)

This is my second review of Mhoba High Ester rum, a different batch from the first one I tried. What is Mhoba rum? Mhoba is a South African rum distillery that makes all of its rum from fresh pressed sugarcane juice utilizing a pot still for all of it. This particular High Ester variant follows the above whild allowing a period of wild yeast fermentation to boost the fermentation tanks with dunder during fermentation. This is bottled with no additives or ageing.

Batch #: 2019HE2

ABV: 66.5%

Nose: Pungent, Paint Glue, Over Ripe Fruits, grilled Pineapple, Mango, Guava, Cumin, Fresh Cut Grass, Olive Oil, Black Pepper.

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel. Lemon Zest, Guava, Grilled Pineapple, Rubber Cement, Brine, Olive Oil, Black Pepper, Touch of Leather, Grass, cumin, acetone.

Finish: Medium length finish, lemon zest, grilled pineapple, mango, olive oil, brine, black pepper, rubber cement, slight grassiness, acetone.

Rating: 8/10

Ahhh, this is still quite the outstanding and unique rum that I remember. This thing takes the savory side of the flavor spectrum and beats you over the head with it. If you are looking for a fruity unaged rum ala Savanna HERR you came to the wrong neighborhood. Rich decadent spices, brine, olive juice are tempered by a light touch of grilled fruits that even then lean towards the more savory side of the spectrum. An excellent rum, and one that I need a few bottles of on my shelf sooner rather than later. Rum fans, you need to seek out and try Mhoba (and try to get it on US shores)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect