The Rum Trail is a selection of rums from around the world, brought together by Elixir Distillers. It’s an expression of different terroirs, bottled in a way that they are an easy-to-sip joy. That means an ABV of 48% which is rather modest in today’s independent rum scene where cask strength seems to be the norm. They’re all single origin rums and small batch releases. The series is the rum counterpart of the Whisky Trail series we reviewed some time ago.
There’s always a significant tropical ageing period, but often there’s also some time in European warehouses. Some say these are leftover barrels from Black Tot blends, but I think this view is probably too simplistic.
Fiji rum 11 yo 2014 (48%, Elixir Distillers ‘Rum Trail’ 2025, bourbon barrel, 400 btl.)
Nose: fairly easy-going, with mashed banana, buttery biscuits and hints of vanilla sugar. Light apricots, hints of sugarcane. Then some lemon candy and subtle honey. Maybe a hint of crushed stone, but otherwise totally accessible.
Mouth: same style. Baked banana, hints of buttered white bread, pineapple flambéed and plenty of vanilla cream. Then some fresh oak shavings with a few floral touches, moving towards slightly tangy herbs and nuts. White pepper. Lemon peelings and just a hint of brine.
Finish: medium, with mild fruits, fresh oak and this salty edge.
This reminded me of Plantation rums (now Plantaray). Fiji rums can come close to Jamaica at times, but this one is much more docile and lightweight. It’s always tricky to create a line-up with rums but I feel this was indeed the best apéritif. Available from The Whisky Exchange among others.
Belize 9 yo 2015 (48%, Elixir Distillers ‘Rum Trail’ 2025, bourbon barrel, 400 btl.)
Nose: triple column still, so verging towards grain whisky. Hints of shortbread, a little toffee, dried grass, vanilla and a little cane juice. A little cake dough. Then light hints of broken branches, along with minty notes and cardamom.
Mouth: more fruity now, on banana and pineapple. These fruits mix with typical hints of coconut cream, vanilla custard, some marzipan and balanced oak shavings. No rough edges but not necessarily an exciting profile either.
Finish: not very long, with hints of coconut milk, woody notes and vanilla cake.
Even more neutral than the Fiji, with some middle-of-the-road aromas. I like my rum a bit more funky and characterful, but if you’re a fan of grain whisky then this deserves your attention. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance. Score: 79/100
Australia 17 yo 2007 (48%, Elixir Distillers ‘Rum Trail’ 2025, bourbon barrels, 450 btl.)
Nose: ah, that’s more like it. Varnish and light esters, along with diesel-like elements, some molasses and dried herbs. In the background there is some grated coconut, banana, herbal honey and eucalyptus freshness. Then some baked apple and vanilla, without becoming overly sweet. Just very balanced.
Mouth: mixing easy notes with mild funk again. On the one hand we have this grain whisky combination of coconut, vanilla and caramel. On the other hand also grappa notes, mint and some mineral dryness. Later also hints of toasted oak and dried mango.
Finish: quite long, on oak spice, minerals and herbal tea.
Coming from Australia’s oldest licensed rum distillery, first distilled in a column still before a second distillation in a pot still. Very tasty, offering bits of different profiles. Also available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 87/100
Barbados 18 yo 2006 (48%, Elixir Distillers ‘Rum Trail’ 2025, ex-bourbon casks, 500 btl.)
Nose: rounded oaky notes with a dash of glue and varnish. We’re closer to Kentucky now. Then fresh mastic, desiccated coconut, vanilla and caramelized nuts. Almond paste, a little orange cake and orange blossom, caramelized bananas and balsa wood.
Mouth: quite bourbonny again. Orange notes, maple syrup and toffee, caramelized almond and cinnamon pastry. More varnish, a little berry eau-de-vie and overripe banana. Quite a rich layer of toasted wood as well.
Finish: rather long, with oak sweetness, some cardamom and peppermint, along with milk chocolate.
This reminds us of certain Foursquare 2006 releases. Rather bourbonny but with a nice sweet-dry balance. See The Whisky Exchange. Score: 87/100
Jamaica 11 yo 2013 (48%, Elixir Distillers ‘Rum Trail’ 2025, ex-bourbon barrels, 600 btl.)
Nose: unmistakably Jamaica, albeit not at full strength of course. Moderate esters, with shoe polish and mild hints of green olives. Fresh pineapple with overripe banana, along with refreshing lime peel. Then a little ginger and gherkin juice.
Mouth: a lot of citrus now, mainly lime and green orange. Some olives, caraway seeds, a little glue and rubber. It gets saltier over time, mixing in hints of paint, rotting pineapple and liquorice. Rounder Demerara sugar underneath.
Finish: long, slightly drier, with plenty of esters, brine and oak spice.
This is the kind of profile you usually see at astronomic strengths. Here it’s much milder, but not less interesting. Probably Worthy Park in a highly drinkable version. Check The Whisky Exchange. Score: 88/100