Hee Joy Spiced Rum is first and foremost a blend of rums from 3 countries renowned for the quality of their traditional English rums: Jamaica for power, Trinidad for intensity, and Guyana for complexity. Each of these rums is first aged for 2 to 3 years in its country of origin, in bourbon barrels (for Jamaican rum), or in used or new American oak barrels.
The casks are then shipped to the Grande Champagne region of France, to the cellars of Hedonist Spirits. Here, the rums are reduced, blended with natural spices and enhanced with licorice, then matured in French oak barrels for a further 3 months.
Nico's tasting notes
Summary: aniseed - liquorice - pastis - vegetable - caramel
On first nosing and blind tasting, there's nothing to suggest that this is a spiced. Dry and vegetal at first, we have straw which is soon joined by cane sugar and caramel. The aromas brought on by the cask add to the recipe: woody, vanilla, cocoa and caramel again. This classic profile is simple and balanced, the spices are present but in no way outweigh the rest.
On aeration, spices with a vegetal character diffuse. Aniseed, licorice and curry bring a breath of freshness from faraway lands. This is done with finesse, so you don't get the impression of a big infusion of spices, simply a seasoning. Licorice is present in all its forms, and plays a chase with caraway and aniseed. Finally, after a rest, Christmas spices enter the scene. The profile takes on nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, clove...
On the palate, the attack is round and gently spicy. Anise and licorice are always present, inseparable, intertwined. When their flavors are at their most intense, it's like tasting pastis. This is confirmed when the vegetal side returns, with aromatic herbs and a herbaceous character.
The finish continues the pastis analogy, with aniseed licorice dominating the profile. The sensation is sweet and thick, like caramel.
"A highly original spiced that's a departure from the usual recipes. Much more vegetal than the others, it tends towards pastis..."
Here are the main markers indicated by Hee Joy's creators: fresh and suave on the palate, tones of licorice, honey and candied fruit balanced with spicy notes (ginger), round finish...
Pierre Cerenzia
You have to taste it to understand the pleasure it brings.