Sometimes I just need a small incentive to start a new rum session. In this case a pile of T.D.L. samples was a perfect occasion. Enjoy!
T.D.L. 25 yo 2001 (57,2%, Compagnie des Indes for Asia 2026)
Nose: brilliant fruits. Guava, pink grapefruit, hints of passion fruit syrup and bits of mango. Then some flower petals, hints of rosehip tea, tiny drops of camphor and mint. The energy is incredible. Also subtle hints of cinnamon, molasses and light fusel oils.
Mouth: now the fruity core gets a little overshadowed by an overload of mint, polished leather and pine needles. Sure, there’s still mango, pineapple and peach sweetness, a hint of resinous honey, but then more salty liquorice, ginger and bitter drops of herbal extracts.
Finish: long and rich, with the resinous notes and herbal tea in front row.
A gorgeous nose, no doubt, and then an ever so slight deception because the tropical juiciness doesn’t explode in the mouth. Worth checking out though, if you’re in Asia. Check with Compagnie des Indes for more information.
T.D.L. 24 yo 2001 (58,5%, Swell de Spirits for RumX 2025, ex-bourbon cask, 168 btl.)
Nose: absolutely delicious. Even more juicy fruits than the Compagnie des Indes. It’s full of passion fruits, pink grapefruit, (white)currants, mango sherbet and sour cherry. Then also light oak, beautiful varnish and the typical mint. Just a drop of petrol and leather. Subtle floral touches (bergamot) too.
Mouth: still plenty of (rather tart) fruits, like lychee, maracuya and papaya. Now also a firmer mentholated side, with camphor, a light boisé bitterness from the wood and lots of fresh herbs. Some citrus, green grassy notes and banana skin. Still a hint of gasoline.
Finish: long and intense, with a return of the tropical fruits, a slight medicinal / oily note and herbs.
This one does impress with a full-on fruitiness. Even on the palate it has a juicier profile than the previous one. Up there with the best TDLs and quite a benchmark for this style of fruitiness. Sold out. Score: 91/100
T.D.L. 15 yo 2009 (61,3%, The Roots for The Antelope 2025, ex-bourbon cask #9 btl.)
Nose: after the exuberant fruits this is more towards the more industrial notes again. Fresh plastics, a little glue, toasted oak, hints of blackcurrant and mint oil. Flashes of pineapple in the background. Later also tea leaves, caramel and subtle tobacco.
Mouth: slightly hot but bearable. Banana notes and coconut, which are surprisingly common, but also echoes of these tart mango and pink grapefruits. Slightly overtaken by toasted wood and varnish. Then also salty notes, which always boost the fruits. Mint again, along with liquorice and mild rubbery hints.
Finish: long, toasted, spicy and quite strong, with hints of menthol and peach.
A moderate fruitiness here, which means the complexity is a little higher and brings us a little closer to Jamaica perhaps. Be sure to add some water. Score: 89/100
T.D.L. 8 yo 2016 (53,6%, The Colours of Rum ‘Xmas 2025’, bourbon cask #8, 132 btl.)
Nose: much younger, focusing on unripe pineapple and mint of course. Also touches of leather and lemon peels. A subtle industrial newmake note is still present. Not particularly complex, but already a pleasant profile.
Mouth: sweet lemons, along with unripe pear and pineapple notes again. Then a little glue and light oily notes. Hints of cedar wood and also an alcoholic side that comes later. There isn’t a lot to mention here, I’m afraid.
Finish: medium, minty and dry, with very little fruits at this point.
Complexity is low, it’s a little on the thin side, and the alcohol comes out. That said, it may work as an introduction to TDL. Score: 84/100
T.D.L. 8 yo 2016 (65,7%, The Colours of Rum 2025, bourbon cask #7, 277 btl.)
Nose: clearly youthful, led by notes of unripe pineapple and cooling mint. Hints of leather and lemon peel emerge in the background, alongside a faintly industrial new make character that still lingers. More pastry-like than the previous one.
Mouth: sweet lemon upfront, followed again by underripe pear and pineapple. There’s a touch of glue and a lightly oily texture, with subtle cedar notes underneath. More spirity notes build up towards the end. The higher ABV adds texture and character.
Finish: fairly long, dry and minty, with the fruitiness fading away rather quickly.
Thank you, Gemini, for rephrasing the previous review. The higher ABV adds to the character and texture in this case, so this one comes recommended. Score: 86/100