Review #724; Rum #169: Chairman’s Reserve 9yr 100% Sugarcane Vendome

This single cask comes to us from St.Lucia distillers located on the island of the same name. With the advent of the Ed Hamilton St.Lucia Single casks, St.Lucia distillers formulated their own single cask program under the Chairman’s Reserve brand. These have been a combination of stills all aged in ex-bourbon and aged tropically. This year they have exploded with options, with this particular bottling being of the utmost interest. A 9 year, tropically aged, 100% Vendome pot still made from Sugarcane juice rum bottled with no additives.

ABV: 60.3%

Nose: Star Anise, Red Berries, Vegetalness, Minerality, hydraulic fluid, allspice

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, heavy star anise, Red Berries, hydraulic fluid, allspice

Finish: Medium length finish, star anise, red berries, hydraulic fluid, black pepper, minerality

Rating: 8/10

This stuff is quite excellent. It echoes of the Hamilton Vendome single casks, but at the same time crisper and more refreshing. The dirty industrial notes that form the backbones of those are still here, but in a more controlled sense. Combined with some of the fruits, light minerality, and spices this makes for some of the best St.Lucia rum I have had so far. Vendome pot still reigns supreme.

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