Chalong Bay Infuse Sweet Basil comes from the Phuket region. It is a pure cane juice rum that is infused with basil during distillation. Fresh basil, like sugar cane, is grown locally by Thai farmers.
Basil is a perennial, aromatic and condiment plant that originated in southern Asia and was imported to Egypt 4,000 years ago, then to southern Europe at the beginning of our era. A major ingredient in Italian cuisine, it is also widely used in Asian cuisine.
Chalong Bay Infuse Sweet Basil can be enjoyed neat as a tasting white rum, or as the base for inventive cocktails.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose of this rum opens with natural cane juice. It's fresh and herbaceous, with scents of herbs and aromatics freshly cut in a shady garden. The spices are vegetal and fresh too, as are the small bursts of lemon and slightly acidic notes. A few notes of fermentation eventually emerge, carried by a slightly iodized sea air.
Aeration radically changes the aromatic profile: the aromatics take on consistency, and we even think we can distinguish tomato, as in a basil sauce. The rum is far away at this point, and the impression of Italian cuisine is striking. Then a little peppery cane sounds the reminder, the aromas of rum return, but we're still stunned by what's just happened. The aromatic herbs have since dried, mingling with the spices, and we've added a good handful of mint leaves to the recipe. Over time, the rum becomes rounder and mellower, thanks in part to the soft artichoke notes.
The palate is very smooth on entry, with the taste of rum clearly present this time. Basil and mint are also still present, blending with citrus and licorice. Pepper balances out this very pleasant, aromatic palate, as in an extremely fragrant white rum.
The finish has selected more pronounced aromas so as not to be forgotten, leaving lingering notes of liquorice (zan-style) and pepper.
"This herbaceous infusion works very well, it's so fragrant that I've imagined it accompanying multiple dishes..."
Jens
Perfekt, vielen Dank. Gerne wieder.