Hee Joy Origins is a blend of traditional English rums from 3 countries renowned for the quality of their rums: Jamaica for strength (40% of the blend), Trinidad & Tobago for intensity of flavour (40%), and Guyana for complexity (20%). Each of the rums is first aged for between 3 and 5 years in its country of origin, in ex-bourbon barrels (for Jamaican rum), or in used or new American oak barrels (for the other 2).
The barrels are then imported to France in the Cognac region (in Grande Champagne to be precise). The rums are reduced there to reach 40°, assembled, then refined in oak barrels that have contained cognac for more than 20 years.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose of this rum plays the sweetness card. Vanilla sets the tone with an impression of roundness, while soft spices caress the nostrils. There's also a certain sweetness and even a hint of tart cherry. The orange peel lends a little amplitude and breath, but the fact that it's well candied keeps it in a certain reserve. There's a hint of a drier, perhaps vegetal character, but the rum will have to open up a little more to begin to speak.
Aeration briefly reveals a slightly smoky side, before returning to a more classic profile of vanilla and caramel. In the end, it's a fairly simple nose, with a slightly floured, unleavened type of toast. The vegetal, dry side we sensed earlier is still there, now expressed in the form of dried aromatic herbs.
It's this drier character that first appears on the palate. The caramel is rather dark and the tannic woodiness grips the taste buds. The rum has waited until the palate to fully express itself. First some ripe exotic fruits, then a good wave of prunes and a juicy licorice stick shake up what we thought was a sleepy landscape. Raisins then bring together ripe or candied fruit, vegetal and woody notes.
Molasses also waited until the last moment to express itself, occupying the palate on the finish with its coffee and licorice notes.
