Hamilton Saint Lucia Rum 2005 9 YR

My first purchase was a Hamilton's 8-year from St. Lucia. While it showed intriguing and promising characteristics, it also had metallic and petroleum solvent qualities that I found to be flaws. I had to concentrate to overlook them to appreciate the promising aspects that left me wanting more. This 9-year expression, however, lacks those flaws and fulfills all the promise of the 8-year, and then some. It's a powerful spirit brimming with the dunder and funk that enthusiasts crave, making Smith and Cross and Denizen's 8-year seem light and sweet in comparison. This is the kind of potent, complex spirit I've long desired. Much like exceptional music, it rewards repeated investigation, revealing new nuances as your familiarity with it grows.

From Ed Hamilton's Private Collection. Pot distilled from Guyanese molasses. The aroma reveals that this is an intense and serious rum! Cane, tropical fruits, some spice, and smoke are all present on the nose and palate. This is a genuine British Style Rum that offers character, but with intense and bold flavors. Not for everyone. Lol. My score was 89.5.

Incredible flavor considering how inexpensive it is.