Boardroom Spirits Ship's Cat Navy Strength Overproof Rum

A great value purchase from Boardroom presented this uncommon find; an overproof rum that is indeed unaged. Initially, I thought it would be too harsh, but I recall it being good enough to take the bottle home, and it was only one of the first couple of things I tried there. I wasn't sure what to do with it initially, as it's a bit too high in alcohol content to drink straight, but then I considered "overproof mojito." So, I selected this from the tasting selection to immediately utilize some mint (which has been in the refrigerator since I acquired this bottle and is just about to become dry and unusable) and make said mojitos once the review is complete. A grain-forward aroma was not what I anticipated from sugar cane and molasses, particularly with no oak to influence it. The ethanol is also quite low for this proof level, allowing sweet and somewhat vegetal notes to come through, along with a very clean finish. The key observation is that, while the ethanol burn is less intense than expected, it compensates for a light, watery texture and aroma that I typically encounter with most unaged rums at lower proof points. Not much else stands out on the nose as unique, but it still hints at what I expect to be a tasty, straightforward, and approachable rum. The body is so light it's almost uninteresting at first, meaning the flavors are quite well-balanced despite the high alcohol content. That said, the initial burn really spreads through the base of the throat and the upper stomach. Moving past that, I detect tropical flavors like coconut, pineapple, and mango rind. A welcome bitterness is also present, similar to that found in a lighter herbsaint. After a few sips, things not only start to feel warm but also swell the tongue and taste/feel like a mouthwash burn. The molasses and sugar cane remain equally balanced, tasted all the way to the end, where the finish is quite intense and includes a slight cleaner/hand sanitizer aftertaste alongside the tropical notes from earlier. Consuming this now on an empty palate truly highlights how distinct this is from most other unaged rums, and while delicious on its own, it makes it hard to suggest to just anyone. This was not their only unaged rum available, so I'm pleased this was crafted for a higher proof enthusiast, with the proof certainly being very high. This is quite intense even for me when drinking straight, but the prospect of that overproof mojito sounds increasingly appealing, knowing that all syrups, fruits, and other herbs added to any cocktail will be nicely complemented by the sweetness and herbaceous character of this higher proof, distinctive rum.