Angel's Share Title
Transcontinental Rum Line Jamaica WP2012
When I travel if it is possible, I always try and visit bookstores and bottle shops. Much for the same reason you just never know what you might come across. In this case, while visiting a store in Austin, Texas I discovered this private bottling from Jamaica’s Worthy Park distillery and could not resist picking it up. The rum was distilled from molasses using a Forsyth double retort pot still in 2012. They aged the rum in a used bourbon barrel for roughly four and half years on the island, then it was transferred to Europe where it was aged an additional year and a half before it was blended to 57.18% (Navy Strength) and bottled. The product was imported to the United States by La Maison & Velier.
Transcontinental Rum Jamaica WP 2012
Appearance
The 750 ml bottle is a transparent black bottle with an orange security wrap. The colorful labels have quite a bit of information on them sharing the basic details about the product. A quick twist of the cap reveals a wooden cap holding a synthetic cork. The liquid in the glass holds a light golden fresh straw color (obviously nothing added to darken it), as I swirl the liquid a thin band forms, that transitions to tiny beads that thicken and slowly (I mean, wow, really slowly) descend down the side of the glass before evaporating.
Nose
As expected, the initial pour released a pungent rush of alcohol and funk into the air. I let the glass sit for a few minutes after giving it a swirl and evaluating the pour. Nosing the glass, I discovered acetone, under ripe banana, molasses, raisin bread, fresh orange zest, crisp apple, with a hint of salty brine before it fades with a note of earthy fresh mowed grass.
Palate
The first sip of the rum punches you in the mouth with a hot black pepper entry. As the heat of the immature alcohol fades a molasses and caramelized sugar notes linger on the tongue. Additional sips revealed notes of mocha, anise, cooked sweet pineapple, nutmeg, copper, strawberry banana flambé, and dry roasted peanuts. As the flavors of the rum begin to fade the brine note lingers under the alcohol notes in a swirl of acetone, black pepper, char, and pencil lead. This rum finally fades away with a sweet caramel note punctuating the experience.
Review
As my last sip from the tasting fades, I have to say I am glad I picked this rum up. The exploration was quite fun with lots of twists and turns as the flavors revealed themselves in a twisty labyrinth of sweet and savory flavors. The Transcontinental line of rums is a celebration of how rums would have changed during aging while being aged in both continental and tropical environments. I am now curious about the other releases in the line and will pick them up when I spot them.
