Review #946; Rum #297: Raising Glasses Guardians Trinidad 8yr 2014

Trinidad Raising Glasses Guardians 8yr

This is a single cask of rum that comes to us from Trinidad distillery Trinidad Distillers Limited. This is from an independent bottlers based out of Boston known as Raising Glasses. This cask was distilled in 2014 and matured in Trinidad for 6 years before being matured a further 2 years in the U.K. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives. As an additional note, 5% of the bottle’s profits go to the Trinidad & Tobago Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Sanctuary as well.

ABV: 67.9%

Nose: Nice Star Anise, Dark Chocolate, a bit of spearmint herbalness, Nutmeg, Toasted Coconut, vicks vapor rub

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Star Anise, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry, Spearmint, Nutmeg, grape Bubblegum, vicks vapor rub, passionfruit

Finish: Medium length finish, Menthol, Spearmint, star Anise, Black Pepper, passionfruit

Rating: 7/10

A great release, this is in the vein of those TCRL Trinidad’s that have been releases the past few years. Big menthol, Star Anise, and vapor rub with fruits and spices. What a wonderful combination. Its on par with those TCRL for me as the distillate is more forward as compared to the cask. I have to give major props to raising glasses for the bottling size as well. When you want to try many different things 375ml is a perfect amount, in fact more producers should be doing releases like this. Overall, a great first entry to me.

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