The aim of this 2-bottle set is to compare 2 similar rums, one aged entirely in a tropical climate, the other in a continental climate.
What these 2 rums from the Clarendon (Monymusk) distillery have in common is that they are 14 years old, and fall into the distillery's "Plummer" (or EMB) category.
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Nico's tasting notes
What these two rums have in common is that they are built on a fairly light distillate. The difference in ageing is extremely telling. On the nose, the continental retains its resolutely light character despite long maturation, while the tropical increases its potential tenfold, acquiring a gourmet fullness. On the palate, the benefits of ageing tend to be reversed, as the continental retains its character and enhances it with a nice concentration, while the tropical is completely carried away by the woodiness.
Here are their respective tasting notes:
SVM 14 Year Old EMB Blend Continental Aging Plummer 64,8°.
The nose is that of a relatively light rum, with slightly ethereal hints. A few floral and slightly bitter notes lick the rim of the glass, while a slightly green lemon begins to take center stage. A hint of almond milk is also evident, greedy but still a little fresh.
Aeration does not alter the rum too much. Its pastry-like character takes hold a little more, carrying with it some exotic fruits underlined by hints of stone. But the lightness remains, and the finesse of the flowers continues to dominate.
The palate is far more generous, and its power delivers a lovely concentration of pastry notes. After a lively copper blade, we rediscover almond milk, butterscotch and nougatine, all with disarming strength. Light exotic fruit juices then enter the scene, only to melt once more into an exotic pepper almond cream.
The finish is peppery, somewhat metallic, and the more ethereal side of rum returns to crackle on the edges of the tongue.
"A fairly light rum that has benefited from its long aging by developing pastry and finely fruity notes..."
SVM 14 Year Old EMB Blend Tropical Aging Plummer 69.7°.
The nose opens with a light rum heart. Aging, however, gives it a fine concentration and a mature profile. Behind a light veil of solvent, slightly oxidized stone fruits emerge, in a rather pastry-like register. Ripe exotic fruits begin to emerge, taking on a delightful, gourmet fullness.
Aeration opens the way to more ripe fruit, but above all allows the toasted oak to express itself a little more. We find notes of nuts, roasting and molasses, concentrated in a rum bubble.
On the palate, the rum is lively and invasive, immediately developing strong woody notes. One imagines a rum that has drawn from the heart of the oak, taking with it all the resin and tannins it contained. As this rum is relatively light, this woodiness comes through all the more easily. We find it quite green, with almost medicinal notes.
The finish retains notes of stone, almond cream and black fruits in brandy.
" After a concentrated, fruity nose, the palate is very woody and marked by tannins... "
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