Angel's Share Title
Old Line Aged Caribbean Rum
Single Malt Cask-Finished
Old Line Spirits Company is in Baltimore, Maryland. They produce a line of whiskeys with a variety of cask finishes as well as import rums from the Caribbean for their line of rums. For this bottling, the rum was imported from the Dominican Republic after being aged in used bourbon casks for a minimum of seven years and finished for an unspecified amount of time in Old Line Single Malt casks. After the finishing process, the rum is blended to 50% ABV and bottled at their Baltimore facility. For more information about Old Line Spirits, check out the Got Rum? Magazine interview from 2017.(https://www.gotrum.com/editorials/exclusive-interviews/exclusive-interview-with-mark-mclaughlin-and-arch-watkins-ow/)
Old Line Spirits
Appearance
The bottle is a standard medium necked 750 ml with navy blue labels that provide the basic information about the rum. The liquid holds a solid gold amber color in the bottle that lightens slightly in the glass. Swirling the liquid creates a medium-sized band that thickens and releases a couple of waves of slow-moving legs. After a few minutes, the band evaporates, leaving a ring of residue and beads around the glass.
Nose
The aroma is an interesting balance of vanilla, butterscotch, brown sugar, and charred wood, with the alcohol nipping around the edges.
Palate
While the aroma was straight-forward, the flavor profile was not. The first sip delivered a surprising robustness with a balance of vanilla, smoky oak, and the burn of the alcohol that lit up the palate. Sips after that reveal earthy minerals and cooked apples, as well as butterscotch and almost chewy oak flavors. These wood notes take over and linger in a bittersweet, long finish.
Review
It is always interesting to see what a brand does with a privately sourced rum. In this case, I found the single malt whiskey barrel finish transmuted the rum from its traditional flavor profile to something with a smoke and mineral profile that I would expect from a much older spirit. This flavor profile is sure to get the attention of any whiskey fan, and I cannot wait to share it with some friends who enjoy single malt whiskeys. I am curious to explore the other two rums in their line as each has the same foundation spirit with different alcohol by volume. Currently available in seven states and online outlets, this rum is a must for anyone who enjoys single malt whiskeys.
