Review #554; Rum #76: Habitation Velier 3yr Privateer 2017

This bottling comes to us from famed bottler Velier. This bottling coming from Privateer, that American rum producer based out of Ipswich Massachusetts. This bottling was made using 100% imported molasses which was fermented for 6 days, then double distilled through a Vendome Pot Still then a custom Batch still. It is a blend of 3 casks distilled in 2016 and 5 casks from 2017, all aged in New American Oak. It was bottled at cask strength with no additives.

ABV: 55.6%

Nose: Vanilla frosting, Black pepper, toasted brown sugar

Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Vanilla frosting, black pepper, a touch of heat, a bit of tannins

Finish: Medium length, dry, faint dark chocolate, vanilla, black pepper

Rating: 5/10

This is a perfectly acceptable rum from Privateer. It has good flavors going on in it, lots of New Oak notes like the Vanilla and black pepper, some barrel char and spice sneak their way in as well. Some faint dark chocolate comes through on the finish. Really my main issue is that the heat is not well integrated and it seems to spike randomly while you drink it. Overall, Privateer puts out some delicious rums, between their Bottled in Bond, their Distiller Drawers, and Queen’s share lines. This doesn’t rise to the greatness of some of those, but is a great example of what they are doing at the distillery in general.

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