Penny Blue VSOP is produced by Mauritian distillery Medine, in partnership with merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd. This rum is at least 4 years old.
The molasses that serves as the raw material for this rum is produced in the sugar refinery right next to the distillery. It's a blend of rums aged in 3 types of casks that have previously contained either cognac (75%), bourbon (15%) or whisky (10%).
As with all Penny Blue rums, no cold filtration or additions of any kind (caramel, sugar...) are used.
Nico's tasting notes
Summary: dry - woody toasty - vanilla - nuts - caramel - light
The nose is initially quite dry, with roasted nuts. The woodiness is in the same vein, having been well toasted. Gradually, the nuts become fatter and more mellow, and the rum begins to open up and become fuller. There's a slight industrial edge, with metal, smoke and even a touch of plastic. Vanilla and dry woody notes move elbow to elbow, taking us into more familiar territory.
With aeration, the nuts become sweeter and sweeter, so the rum becomes less and less dry. Vanilla asserts itself more readily, complemented by finely proportioned sweet spices. The woodiness has shown itself in different forms from the beginning, now showing a peppery facet, then a toasty character that's still there, but more coated.
The attack on the palate is very light, with the rum flowing unhindered. The woodiness and nuts are balanced and just right, providing just the right amount of aroma and dryness. The texture is very light, though the flavors are definitely roasted. A hint of salt keeps the roasted flavors flowing, giving them time to melt into caramel. In the same family of aromas, we might also think of toast or maple syrup, or even both.
On the finish, the woody/caramel duo is as tasty and well-executed as ever, the nuts are coated and the little metallic hint glimpsed on the nose acts as the final touch.
