Habitation Velier Clarendon EMB 2010
Clarendon
Habitation Velier Clarendon EMB 20108.8/10 (159 reviews)
Tropical fruits · Ester · Vanilla
Robert Bauer's Favourites
In my view, 2024 was definitely dominated by Jamaica, while the new bottlings from Guyana tended to remain in the background in terms of quality. It was also particularly pleasing to observe the increasing appreciation for the Agricole Rhum category, in which there are still great bottlings at fair prices. However, here is a compilation of some of my favourites from all countries and price categories.
Rums in this list
Best for: Jamaica fans who want fruit and wood over heavy Hampden funk
A widely-loved younger Monymusk: woody, fruity and well-balanced with the 62% tucked in tight. Not the deepest EMB, but honest value and lots of character. Best with air and water.
Velier Hampden Pagos Sherry (Batch 2) 2023
HampdenVelier Hampden Pagos Sherry (Batch 2) 20238.3/10 (144 reviews)Ester · Tropical fruits · SherryBest for: Hampden fans wanting sherry-rounded funk
Most owners rate the sherry-Hampden marriage a success and an easy daily sipper; several prefer it to the first batch. If you want raw ester intensity, the sherry tames it.
Velier Caroni Paradise #4 1996
CaroniVelier Caroni Paradise #4 19969.3/10 (30 reviews)Rubber · Tar · Dried fruitBest for: Caroni fans who want dirty industrial notes with sweetness
Loved almost universally as a rounder, spice-and-menthol take on 1996 Caroni. One taster calls it near-perfectly balanced, which for him meant nothing dominates — but most rate it very high.
Swell de Spirits Isautier Wild Nature Series 2011
IsautierSwell de Spirits Isautier Wild Nature Series 20118.3/10 (70 reviews)Cognac · Vanilla · RoastedBest for: Cognac fans and drinkers who like spicy, dry cask-strength agricole
Most find it complex and cognac-driven, with gingerbread, dried fruit and grape. The catch: several say the alcohol isn't fully tucked in and the finish turns bitter and tannic.
Velier River Antoine Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum
River AntoineVelier River Antoine Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum8.3/10 (218 reviews)Vegetal · Sugarcane · EsterBest for: Clairin and high-ester fans who want raw, vegetal cane character
Loved as one of the best whites around — vegetal, smoky and intense, with the 69% shockingly well-integrated. A handful find the earth-and-tar profile too much to sip neat.
Distilia Enmore (Versailles) Greenheart REV 1994
GreenheartDistilia Enmore (Versailles) Greenheart REV 19949.2/10 (68 reviews)Prunes · Dark chocolate · TobaccoBest for: Fans of old Demerara wooden-still rum
One of the loved 1994 REV bottlings — dark, woody, plummy and remarkably balanced, with the alcohol barely showing. A few wanted more power at this proof, and the pencil note isn't for everyone.
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