Bira South Pacific (Fiji) 12 year 2008

Review #1159; Rum #474

This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached.

Bira is a Zimbabwean word word that means an all night ritual of celebration. This is an independent rum bottler that is located in Canada of all places. This brand was founded and is run by Karl Mudzamba who is a passionate rum fan located in the barren rum wasteland of Canada. Bira was started due to Karl wanting to get more rums that he loves on the shelves where he lives.

This bottling, the first from Bira, is a rum from South Pacific Distillers which is located on the island of Fiji. This rum was distilled in 2008 from molasses, aged for 9 years in ex-bourbon at origin / in tropical weather, and bottled in 2021 with a little bit of water to bring it down to bottling strength. This rum is a blend of 9 barrels that resulted in 1,272 bottles available.  

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Distillery: South Pacific Distillers

Bottler: Bira!

Region: Fiji

Still: Pot Still

ABV: 55%

Cask: Ex-Bourbon 9 years in Tropics

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Nose: Grilled Pineapple, black pepper, a bit of plastic bag, Vanilla, Allspice, bit of motor oil, guava

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Grilled Pineapple, black pepper, plastic bag, motor oil, allspice, star anise, guava, black tea

Finish:  Long finish, Grilled Pineapple, Black Pepper, a bit of char, plastic bag, allspice, cinnamon, star anise, black tea

Rating: 7/10

This is a Fiji rum that I have been waiting for. It bridges the gap between the really young Fiji releases from TCRL and the really old Fiji releases from bottles like Dead Reckoning and Holmes Cay. I tend to prefer the younger releases but this is a great bottling that just bring the industrial edge and oak influence to make a really enjoyable rum. Bold spices, a bit of star anise, that industrial oil and plastic backbone. Just a dash of sweetness to balance it all out. I may not be able to get these releases here in Ohio, but good things are going on in Canada with Bira and I can only hope they have big success in bringing quality rum like this to the market there.