Aroma visualization from community tastings
Taste
Minty, Tropical fruits, Barrel
Most mentioned across 37 tasting notes
- Perfect for
- Fans of dirty, menthol-heavy TDL and Caroni-style funk
- Less suitable for
- Anyone wanting a soft, easygoing sipper or sensitive to high ABV
Swell de Spirits T.D.L That's The Spirit ! 2008
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Menthol, glue, blackcurrant and tropical fruit, with an oily texture and a roasted, almost Caroni-like edge that shows up after air. One taster called it "a lot of glue" with impressive fruitiness. Give it 45 minutes to open. Most love it, though several note the 63.7% alcohol pokes through and it can feel a touch unbalanced or astringent on the wood.
The community says- Menthol freshness
- Cassis and cherry
- Less suitable for: Anyone wanting a soft, easygoing sipper or sensitive to high ABV
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Buying advice
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Yes, if you're after bold, mature, oaky rums for sipping neat.
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The look inside the bottle
How does Swell de Spirits T.D.L That's The Spirit ! 2008 taste?
From community reviews · summarized with AI
Oily, minty cask-strength Trinidad rum Well-liked cask-strength TDL — minty, fruity and oily with a dirty, slightly smoky twist. The common gripe: the high-proof heat isn't always fully tucked in.
Fans of dirty, menthol-heavy TDL and Caroni-style funk
Anyone wanting a soft, easygoing sipper or sensitive to high ABV
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
37 of 73 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Which glass for which rum? The community guide ›
What does the community say?
73 community reviews
Rating scale & review checks
On RumX, 7 means “Good” and 8 means “Very good”.
See the full rating guideHow ratings are made and how we check them ›The website shows a selection of written reviews. The distribution also includes ratings without text. All published reviews are available in the RumX app.
35 selected written reviews
The distribution above includes all 73 ratings, including those without text.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Most helpful positive review
Bitter orange/kumquat/mint/eucalyptus/oak barrel.... Super oily, ethereal, oily fresh and intense. Could be a bit more complex. Overall it's too astringent and woody for me, I would have expected a bit more.
Review by Julien Frn
Most helpful critical review
Problem with alcohol integration.. Rum not very accomplished.. The structure is there, the TDL side is there, the nose speaks to me.. But it’s far from being my best TDL.. A big lack of balance and precision in this product.. I thought my body no longer tolerated rums over 63° (which surprised me and scared me a bit...) but going back to other selections or ranges... I see it’s really a problem with this selection... Too bad.. Because quality-price ratio for 50cl.. We’re not there at all.
Review by zabo
Edit: enjoyed again in peace as a digestive rum after lunch at the Italian restaurant. I'm always a bit critical of Swell, but this one really won me over for once. Great bottling. Adjusted upwards a little. Unfortunately only sipped briefly when bottling. First impressions are better than the last Swell T.D.L Privat Garden #4, but a detailed tasting will follow.
Review by Jakob
Great TDL mint and menthol profile, which is obviously also present in 2008 alongside the 2001-2003 vintages. Exciting, still rather fresh with subtle wood and caramel notes - earlier vintages offer even more power. However, it remains to be seen what will happen here with further ageing.
Review by DomM
Balanced showing in the nose. Quite some wood with roasted notes intermingling with dried fruits (apricot) and some exotic fruits (lychee). Complex on the palate with even more fruitiness (cherry and berries) as well as a bit of herbal and minty notes. Nice bottling overall.
Review by lukasdrinkinghabits
I have the Vagabond 2008, the Spiritori 2008, and this Swell side by side in my glass. The Vagabond stands out with a bacon BBQ note, but it fades over time. Apart from this wild outlier note, the rums are very similar and (rather atypical for Swell TDLs) have the typical TDL mint profile. On the nose, I find (mango) peach mint iced tea. Alongside this, ginger and a somewhat surprising hint of cherry and tonka. No surprises on the palate: peach mint iced tea, ginger, burnt sugar, tannins, allspice. Very, very similar to the Vagabond – only the BBQ note is missing. The impression is repeated in the finish. Blind, I could never tell the three apart – which makes cross-tasting a bit tough. For me, they all end up with the same rating. Overall, the three rums are pretty much on par with the well-known 2009s.
Review by Thunderbird
Another very good 2008 TDL...not quite as present as the Vagabond Spirits, especially in the fruit area, but still in the green zone! Overall, the 2008s seem to follow the profile of the 2003s. Very pleasing.
Review by RumTaTa
The nose started with an interesting mixture of red fruits and the bourbon barrel, with a little "dirt" thrown in for good measure. I also find a few hidden sweet associations. Nice fruity and minty on the palate, but nowhere near as minty as 2001-2003. Towards the finish, the barrel influence comes out more and a slight bitter note is added. A very good, sophisticated T.D.L., the alcohol is a little superficial.
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#5171 28.03.2025 Running through some samples at home. Nose Intense, light wood, varnish, light glue, light apple, spice, faint coconut, banana. Palate Intense, varnish, light wood, faint smoke, fruits, banana, light citrus, faint ginger, anise, light apple. Finish Long and warm, light wood, light mango, light citrus, light ginger, clove. Empty glass Spice, licorice, light coconut, light berries.
Review by mto75
Initially quite dirty notes on the nose, with longer standing time mango, caramel, butter cake, floral notes, polish, light menthol notes. Dirty notes on the palate, coffee, toasted barrel, caramel. Really good TDL!
Review by Basti
I already like it better than the Swell TDL from 2005 (Rx16383) tasted in parallel. On the nose, a hint of Savanna (chewing gum), but also some rubber, mint, pineapple, caramel, dried fruit, and chocolate. On the palate, there is a good amount of pepper, dried fruit, mint, and herbs, slightly bitter and medicinal.
Review by Mike H.
81 points. Much too young for my taste as I favor the older TDL’s especially the ones from 2001 and 2002. The classic TDL markets are present but they are a little weak and the fruit takes over a little too fast and is a little overpowering the other flavors.
Review by Timo Groeger
In 3.5 hours the plane leaves for the Caribbean, so 3 small rums left. And lastly a nice T.D.L. I like it, lots of mint, as usual, but also some cask, (sour) cherry, and caramel/vanilla.
Review by Mentalo
Needs time in the glass. The alcohol is well integrated. Significantly fruitier than other T.D.L vintages. Cherry, currant. Plus subtle mint notes and a hint of caramel. Slightly oily texture. In my opinion, it can't compete with the top vintages, but it's still a nice bottling.
Review by Jarek
Tasted together with Rumclub Ed. 52. The Swell is significantly more intense, not only because of the higher alcohol content. There is also a little more of everything on the nose and palate. A delicious cherry-mint bomb, I like it very much!
Review by Dr.Django
A quick sip of rum, WOW! What a rich, oily, flavorful, and aromatic complex start! And then the middle and finish rush through the world of aromas in a matter of moments, carrying some citrus fruits and mint with them, as if they were on the run. Too bad, potential not realized. Thanks @Rod for the sample.
Review by Florent Apl
A TDL on the fruity side, quite intense first so it needs some time resting I'm the glass. It opens with roasted notes, followed by burnt sugar, tropical fruits and red fruits such as red and black current. The menthol comes on the palate and the finale. Nice but not the best TDL from Swell.
Review by alex
This juice is pretty well made, the alcohol integration could still be better, that must be one of the only flaws I find in it. Nice complexity, lots of fruit, and some menthol... typical for TDLs of this era. Nice length on the palate. I like it.
Review by Serge
Delicious TSP. I really like it. Thanks Zabo for the dram 🤟🏼
Review by Romain de L
Interesting and pleasant one ! On the nose, dense and rich, quite classical : hydrocarbures, ripe fruits, glue, dirty but not too much. Pleasant taste - well integrated - strong but smooth, fruity and ripe. Moderately long finish
Review by Godspeed
TDL is not at all my preferred profile of rum but I can still recognize quality when I taste it. For this style it’s very good. A great intro TDL because it’s not at all heavy on the menthol (which is the worst).
Review by Lot-NAS
I like it a lot, starting off with a great and complex nose. On the palate I find it a little bit edgy sort of unbalanced. Too much of everything. The finish nevertheless is really nice and everything is just slowly fading out without any off notes.
Review by Schnubbii
The typical mint and menthol notes of older bottlings can only be guessed at here, but this is still a very tasty TDL with a nice mango fruitiness. It's a good buy, but not a must for me either.
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
🚀 Swell TDL 2008 – 63.7% 15 years old (11 years tropical + 3 years continental), 351 bottles, cask strength. Clearly: reserved for experienced enthusiasts. Keep it for the end of the lineup… otherwise it crushes everything. Profile? 👉 Full-on Dirty TDL, with an almost Caroni + eucalyptus twist. Powerful, wild, borderline… exactly how we like it.
Review by Jeremy Roger 🇫🇷
Very fruity! You really have to let it breathe (at least 45 minutes), it's an explosion of blackcurrant melting into cherry. Then come the spices and menthol, the latter adding a good dose of freshness. It's super good. Very good value for money 👌
Review by FischeJ
Caramel, wood, subtle mint, dense and powerful. Light floral notes here and there.
Review by Maxime Clr 🇫🇷
Very good release from Swell on a TDL on red fruits, chili, menthol, tropical fruits, with a very roasted and smoky side typical of 2008.
Review by ccajerem
Very nice surprise this young TDL. The first nose is very marked Caroni with its notes of hydrocarbons and tropical fruits. This side fades on the second nose and in the mouth to give way to the early 2000s TDL style with its minty notes and red fruits like blackcurrant. Very nice length. Superb quality-price ratio at release price.
Review by Pavel Spacek
Beautiful matte for a bottle under 100 euros. You can feel the alcohol, but very drinkable. I recommend it even to beginner rum drinkers to discover new flavors. Mint from TDL is an unmistakable taste that you never get tired of.
Review by Kevin Dsr
Very pleasant TDL and well-integrated alcohol. You can clearly feel the menthol marker and it's full of freshness! A little red fruit and herbal side as well. I find this swell very well made and it makes you want to go back!
Review by Richard Krupa
Ve vůni víno, v chuti opět bobulovité ovoce, lehký anýz, trochu trpkost
Review by Jacques etdom
Glue, varnish, exotic fruits, a mentholated side and caramel, all on the nose and palate. After some aeration, a smoky and peaty side appears. This brings complexity to this rum. The alcohol is a bit sharp and could be better integrated. The finish is average. Nice tasting line, another great selection.
Review by Oleh
I have no idea how to distinguish it blind from a young malt/bourbon in a refill barrel. Tropical fruits, grass, mint. Berry notes. Quite drinkable despite the proof, but the balance is off.
Review by Pavel Ungr, RumRock
Vintage 2008. With 8.5 out of 10, it belongs to the better ones that have come into my glass.
Review by FoAx
This was the first TDL I bought and I still keep on going back to it, there is a lot going on here Nose : Menthol, tropical fruits, small hint of rubber (caroni like) Taste : full on the menthol, not as strong as you would get from the 2001/2002 TDL but very pleasant, balanced with some fruits and spices (pepper, chilli) Finale : medium, astringent on the wood and some lingering eucalyptus Really well made
This selection contains no written reviews in this rating range.
Expert reviews
Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum.
Expert review by WhiskyNotes
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Expert review by L'amateur éclairé
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Swell de Spirits T.D.L That's The Spirit ! 2008 at live auctions
A bid is not a final price: the house sets the buyer's premium, shipping and any customs duty.
All live auctions ›Community shelf
73 bottles logged by 56 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
12% opened, 3 emptied.
What did the community pay for Swell de Spirits T.D.L That's The Spirit ! 2008?
Community paid 85–119 €.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 115 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
73 purchased · 80 tasted · 28 wishlist · as of
Details about Swell de Spirits T.D.L That's The Spirit ! 2008
A rum from Trinidad, bottled by Swell de Spirits, at 63,7%.
Read on in the RumX Guide
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