Equipo Navazos and Nicolas Palazzi have searching together for forgotten casks of Spanish Brandy. One day, at a bodega in Jerez, they found Antilles rum that had been aging in Oloroso Sherry casks for 10 years or more. With a little research, they discovered it was 100% molasses rum distilled in the Antilles, aged for 5 years in bourbon barrels, than placed in newly-emptied Oloroso casks. They got 32 casks, enough to release 1500 bottles a year for four to five years. After that, it is gone. The rum is bottled at cask strength, 51.5% alcohol. The rum we tasted was bottled in 2014.
Sherry and molasses show together on the nose, popping like a big salted caramel right out of the glass. The complexity is astounding, with layer after layer of flavor. Molasses, salted caramel, and toffee are dominant, but figs, vanilla, cocoa, and leather are there, too. The finish adds a big hit of smoke. This is excellent rum, a rich, deep, sweet and spicy sipper. Very Highly Recommended. 96 points. DBH
WHO: Navazos-Palazzi
AGE: 15 years
PROOF: 103
HOW MUCH: $110 (media sample)