Duncan Taylor Epris 16yo (1999, Cask 3)
Brazil
47.5%
£63
Rum – rum from a traditional column still.
ABV Hydrometer Test: 47-48% ABV @ 20°
* C
Duncan Taylor are one of a growing number of Scotch producers that are trying their hands at rum ageing and bottling. Based in Aberdeenshire, Duncan Taylor proudly display on their bottles that their rums have no chill filtering nor colouring added – straight away, this endears me towards them.
This rum from Brazil was distilled using the Epris column-still and is bottled from a single cask that yielded just 173 bottles. The rum was matured in oak barrels from 1999 to 2016 when it was bottled at 47.5%.
Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would most-likely be classed as “Rum” – rum from a traditional column still.
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Duncan Taylor Epris 16yo (1999) Bottle - Bottle/Presentation 3/3
Duncan Taylor’s bottles are all the same distinctive shape – flat looking, almost rectangular flasks. Whilst it is distinctive, I do not especially like the design.
- Far more important than that is the fact that they have added some very useful information to the label about the rum itself – the dates and distillery used for distillation and bottling, type of still used, the age, ABV and the facts that no colouring is added and that there is no chill filtration.
Given my preference for having clear labelling with info this deserves full marks for the label alone despite me not being impressed with the bottle design.
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Duncan Taylor Epris 16yo (1999) Glass
Glass/Aroma 6/10
Pale yellow to light gold colour. Quite thick, heavy and wide legs on the sides of the glass. Aromas of molasses and wood. Hints of grassiness, too. The more you nose it, the more some fruits appear – in particular, plum.
Taste, Initial-middle 25/40
Deceptively smooth and light when you first sip it. I say deceptive because this is 47.5% ABV so you would not necessarily expect it to be light. There is a little vanilla along with some oak and those plum aromas become flavours, along the lines of an eau-de-vie. The flavours are somewhat lacking, but the smoothness compensates for this.
Taste, Middle/Throat 30/40
As this slips down, it has a bitter to dark chocolate flavour accompanied by some more plum and other fruits, possibly redcurrant. The rum becomes drier at this point, with the oak nicely accompanied by a smooth creaminess. As it slips down, the rum develops a bit of a temper and sends a bit of fire in your direction – not a problem as I like a bit of fire in the rum and it is balanced by the aforementioned creamy texture.
Afterburn 6/7
The burn is at a nice level. Not at all rough and I think the higher ABV really helps to turn this rum into a much better offering than if it was at a regular 40%. The finish is very long and dry – long after swallowing, I can taste that plum and oak.
Morning After Aroma
The plum and grassy aromas are still very evident.
TOTAL 70/100
Overall
Given that Brazil is famous for its Cachaça, which is often unaged, it is interesting to try their attempt at a more traditional (for the rest of the world) rum. In places it is pretty decent, but lacks some more depth of flavour and character to be considered a top rum.
It is not cheap but you do get an unadulterated product at a very welcome higher ABV.
*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.
Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7
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