Black Gate Dark Rum Cask BG023

Nose: Industrial lubricant, diesel, sweet golden syrup, fenugreek spice, aged cedar shavings, overcooked fruitcake. Palate: A fairly neutral start that's a bit dry, with hints of fruit. It's very pure and sharp. The taste is more reserved and restrained than the aroma suggests, but it's not weak or underwhelming; it delivers fantastic notes of coffee, toffee, and caramel. The taste has a clean, almost gin-like quality, and the consistency is nicely proportioned. Finish: Moderate. The taste gradually fades into a slightly sweet lingering sensation. I previously reviewed the 50% ABV Black Gate rum, and I wasn't impressed back then. Fortunately, this lower proof version is far more compelling. The aroma is quite strong and intriguing, not particularly estery but wonderfully intricate, strongly reminding me of whisky (smell this and concentrate on Bruichladdich, and you'll understand). It has a subtly aromatic yet "oily" character that's very pleasing. The taste is drier than anticipated from the smell – wonderfully so – and equally engaging and satisfying. After a while, I also detected a sooty, almost smoky element on the palate, which lingered in the empty glass. It wasn't a surprise to find out this spirit is crafted in very small batches using a small, handmade, direct-fire pot still. This spirit ages for 2.5 years in former port barrels, with no added coloring or post-distillation sweetening. It's a single-cask release, with cask BG023 yielding 205 bottles. Lovely, and excellent value for the cost. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

The scent is delightful, but it's too harsh to drink straight. It needs ice or water to mellow it out. Perhaps it was the overproof version I sampled.