This is a Side by Side by Side of 3 single barrels of Neisson, aged Agricole from Distillerie Neisson selected for and brought into the U.S. Rum Market by Ed Hamilton (The Minister of Rum)
Hamilton Neisson 2013
This single cask of rum was distilled in a column still on Martinique from fresh pressed cane juice. It was then aged in New Bourbon Oak barrels before being bottled at cask strength. ABV: 50.8%
Nose: Caramel, Lemon, Faint Grass, Pepper, Milk Chocolate.
Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Caramel, Lemon, Pepper, Milk Chocolate.
Finish: Medium length. Lemon Grass, Pepper, Caramel.
Rating: 5/10
Just fine, but compared to the other 2 here doesn’t quite pack the same range or strength of flavors.
Hamilton Neisson 2014
This single cask of cane juice rum was aged for 36 months in ex-cognac barrels before being finished for 8 more in ex-bourbon. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives.
ABV: 51%
Nose: Lemon, Fig, Grassy, Dark Chocolate, Nutmeg, Ginger, Earthy, Brine.
Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Lemon, Herbaceous, Brine, Dark Chocolate, Ginger, Nutmeg, Earthy, Allspice.
Finish: Longer finish, Lemon, Brine, Herbal, Mint, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Allspice.
Rating: 7/10
A cacophony of flavors. Well balanced, complex, and heavy on the base distillate. The barrel accented what is going on instead of overpowering. One of the better aged cane juice Rhums I have tasted.
Hamilton Neisson 2015
This single casks of cane juice Rhum was aged for 41 months in New French Limousin before being bottled at cask strength.
ABV: 57%
Nose: Lemon Grass, Dark Chocolate, Herbaceous, Sweet Oak, Red Apple Skin, Nutmeg
Palate: Medium Mouthfeel, Dark Chocolate, Herbaceous, Apple Skin, Nutmeg, Grass, Vanilla Raspberry
Finish:Medium Length Finish, Black Pepper, Sweet Oak, Vanilla, Apple Skin, Nutmeg.
Rating: 6/10
Very Good. Nice flavor, good level of complex, but doesn’t quite hit the depth or breadth of flavor the 2014 does (for me) but still an overall good expression of aged cane juice Rhum.
Conclusion: This was a really fun tasting to do. I had not had aged Neisson before this much less at cask strength so there were a fun foray into the distillery and their aged stocks. I tend to not be the biggest fan of aged cane juice rhum’s but the 2014 and 15 really surprised me with how good they were. As someone who tends to prefer unaged cane juice, they showed they didn’t have to be hyper aged to be a good expression. All in all, no surprise that I enjoy what is going on down at Neisson, and I may just have to grab a bottle of the 2014 for myself.
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
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