Aroma visualization from community tastings
Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986
Tell me when it gets cheaper
Tell me when it's back in stock
Price alert in the RumX app
Open in the app
Got the app? Open this bottle
Opens this rum in the RumX app
Honey and honeycomb up front, wrapped in wood smoke, dark spice and a medicinal, herbal edge that marks the 1986 Rockley profile. There's ripe mango and orange peel underneath, a creamy texture, and at 54.7% the alcohol sits remarkably well integrated for its age. The finish turns dry and bitter — oak, dark chocolate, licorice, coffee. A rare, deeply complex old Barbados.
The community says- Smoke-and-honey nose
- Integrated alcohol
- Long complex finish
Offers & prices
View price history
Secure payment Sold by Excellence Rhum Returns & cancellation
- Secure payment. You pay via RumX with PayPal, Klarna or card. Your payment data is encrypted and we never store your full card details.
- Clear seller. Sold and shipped directly by the partner shop. And you're never on your own: RumX handles support and communication with the shop, so you always get excellent service, whichever shop you order from.
- Honest shop ratings. The stars show your service experience with the shop, not the rum score. They come from RumX users, and critical ones stay visible.
- Returns & cancellation. Your purchase contract is with the shop, so returns and cancellations run through them under their own policy and your statutory rights. If anything goes wrong, RumX helps you sort it out.
10 more payment methodsLive auctions
Buy Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986:
Offer details
Prices & availability last updated on
Every partner shop pays us the same commission rate. The order is set by price alone. How we rank
We show the offers that deliver to your country, the cheapest including shipping first. The “Top Shop” label does not change the order, and no shop can buy a better place.
Offers & prices
No shop currently delivers to Germany.
Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986 at live auctions
Lots running at our partner auction houses, the one ending first on top. A bid is not a final price: the house sets the buyer's premium, shipping and any customs duty.
All live auctions and the auction calendar ›The look inside the bottle
How does Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986 taste?
Summarized by AI from community reviews.
Smoky honey Rockley, old and deeply complex Members rate it near-universally high — a complex, smoky honey-and-wood Rockley of exceptional quality. Many who cross-taste it place the RA and Silver Seal bottlings a hair ahead.
Aroma profilecollectors chasing the 1986 Rockley profile
anyone new to smoky, medicinal old rum
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
38 of 80 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Which glass for which rum? The community guide ›
Recommendation
Your next rum
Each with how it differs from this rum.
Gifting rum? 3 questions to the right bottle
Rated better
Whisky Krüger Port Mourant Rendsburger Bürgermeister Rum PM 1975
9.4/101,600.00 €
Milder
West Indies Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR 1986
9.3/10
Similar rating, cheaper
Enmore Rum Artesanal Guyana Rum KFM 1991
9.0/10499.00 €
Nothing for you?
5 more similar rums ›
First choice: 19 of 25 tasters who tried both prefer it.
What does the community say?
80 community reviews
42 selected write-ups on this page, all of them in the RumX app
Top 1% of Barbados rumsTop 3% at West Indies
Rate it in the app
Positive from 8.0 · Mixed 6.0–7.9 · Critical below 6.0
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
Most helpful positive review
04.10.2025 Retasting at Nobilis Warehouse Tasting #3 ----------- Oak and smoke all the way with a hint of fruit, spice and chocolate. I do like the licorice and smoky finish. Price to quality is not that good. There are other old Rockley's out there equally good or better and cheaper.
Review by Leo Krüper
Most helpful mixed review
Gets better in the glass the longer it sits. At first, the smoke and alcoholic sharpness dominate. But it’s noticeably smoother and more balanced than the RA. At the end of the day, the long-aged Rockley profile remains an unpleasant experience for me. The bit of honey and fig on the nose can’t make up for the off-notes on the palate. The rum is of exceptionally high quality, but I find the profile not suited for the masses and simply not tasty to me.
Review by LukaŽiga
9:On the nose, the first impression we get is a bit estery with tropical fruits like pineapple, dried fig, hay and honey/honeycomb notes are strong, the rum is a bit smoky with roasted wood, a molasses brings licorice... On aeration, it becomes flowery, spicy and nutty, ripe mango cannot be overlooked.The rum is balanced and pleasant. 9:On the palate, the attack is sweet with honey, delicious with charred wood notes like praline, cream toffee, coffee, nuts, confectionery/pastry and smoky.Again we notice dried figs, sweet spice like vanilla, some anise and tropical fruits like mango.It is very creamy with buttery biscuits, the molasses is flowery, herbal and with tea, licorice.Some red bell peppers arise, bitter orange, when the rum is rested.Otherwise, very round and tasty. 8,9:The finish is long with spicy and dry wood, roasted with smoky, nutty notes.The molasses is vegetal, a bit bitter with waxes, then flowery, herbal and tea notes, licorice.Dried fruits like raisins and figs with banana pleasantly round up the finish. Edit:19.4.26, an upgrade for 0,1, 5.7.26
Review by Thunderbird
The Nobilis Rockley in direct comparison to the Rendsburger... both top class rums... with a slight advantage for the Rendsburger... which is a little more present... Otherwise, they are very similar... it's a shame that something like this is no longer produced. The complexity is simply fantastic and the blend of smoke and honey flavors is unique.
Review by TheRhumhoe
A rum whose vintage is often considered a benchmark in the field, and it's easy to see why. The nose is very full and complex, with a multitude of flavors: exotic fruits, floral notes, aromatic herbs, tobacco, spices (ginger, licorice, anise, chili, vanilla, pepper), smoky wood, nuts, caramel, honey, chocolate and medicinal notes form an aromatic bouquet as special as it is detailed, deep and lively. The palate is very elegant and sophisticated. The rum is lively, rich in spices, aromatic herbs and floral notes that extend to honey. Wood, smoke, leather and chocolate follow the complex, fresh palate. Some medicinal and fruity notes lie in ambush on the tongue. The alcohol is very well integrated. The finish is long, dark, bitter, medicinal, woody and slightly herbaceous. There are also dried fruits, leather, spices and chocolate. For a profile of Barbados, this is an original, complete and accomplished rum, with remarkable and delicious flavors.
Review by Johannes
In direct comparison to the RA, SS and Plantation, it does not seem quite as intense and can not quite keep up with the top 3. Nevertheless, still a high, exceptional quality!
Review by mto75
the RA 86 in comparison with the Nobilis 86. Both with that unique herbal, medicinal, floral, smoky-honey note on the nose. The Nobilis still has orange peel. The RA seems a bit more edgy or expressive, even though the Nobilis is slightly higher in ABV. On the palate, both toasted cask, grapefruit.
Review by RumTaTa
This is one of the oldest rums I've had in the glass (thanks to saibotztar). The nose is already unusual with forest and buckwheat honey, ripe tropical fruit, vanilla, fig cake and less barrel-heavy than expected. The alcohol is absolutely unobtrusive on the nose. On the palate, a blast! Then aromas from the nose are joined by resin. The rum shows a very creamy mouthfeel and again the alcohol is at no time superficial. The finish is eternally long and also here I find all the flavors of the nose again, supplemented by a trace of oak / barrel. What a great rum!
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Absolute grenade! Rockley in perfection! Honey, honeycomb, fig and rosemary, fully ripe mango. Incredibly beautiful viscosity, sweetly fruity and extremely complex. Like flaming a sprig of rosemary, dipping it in honey and eating dried mango with it. The finish is almost endless and the alcohol is perfectly integrated! Really, really good! For a perfect rating I would have to do a cross tasting with RA and silver seal...
Review by DomM
Cadenhead‘s 18y @46%: while the low ABV becomes very apparent side-by-side with the FP bottlings, this bottling can comfortably stand on its own. This delivers the Rockley profile with a lot of complexity and intensity as well. On the nose this is much more approachable, yet intense. On the palate it does lose a bit based on the dilution but the Cadenhead‘s is a good way to experience this style of rum in an easy going way overall. Rendsburger 18y FP: Very intense and more lively compared to its older brothers. While the high ABV provides an excellent oily texture and complexity on the palate, it is a bit sharp on the nose. Here the profile is still very nice, but a bit too alcohol forwards for an even higher score. Silver Seal 33y FP: on the nose this one leaves a rather closed up impression (comparatively). While I get all Rockley markers, the SS somewhat lacks intensity. Much more intensity on the palate! Compared to the 18y (obviously) much more mature with additional wood and depth. Excellent! Rum Artesanal & Nobilis 34y FP: now this is top notch territory! Rich, intense and complex both on the nose and palate. On the nose the Nobilis has a hint more fruits, while the RA has some additional candied herbs. On the palate the RA comes with a bit more wood as well as sweetness, while the Nobilis again feels more fruity and a bit „lighter“. Today the RA takes the crown for me, but this might as well be the other way round in the next session.
Review by Tschusikowsky
My first 86 WIRD🎉 Wonderfully engaging perfumed profile. Very round, complex. Tea, honey, barrel, thyme, chocolate, smoky, coffee ice cream. Great balance, the rum takes you on a journey. Multi-layered and complex. Presents itself in all its diversity. Smooth, super smooth, yet powerful on the nose. It lingers and lingers and lingers. The finish is very long and complex. One of the best I have drunk so far
Review by Jakob
Great release. Typical notes of the 1986 Rockley profile, honey, tropical and citrus fruits, vanilla, roasted and smoky aromas, dark spices. In direct comparison with the other greats of the 1986wr vintage, there is a clear barrel impact on the palate, with a recognizable bitter note of wood, dark chocolate and some coffee on the finish. Not enough for the throne, but we are in the Rockley Champions League. Absolutely impressive quality, an excellent release.
Review by Mirco
Rockley Tasting 1986/87/2000 Not quite as round as the RA. A little more beastly, more bitter. Stronger and less structured than the Artesanal rum. More spice, clear wood content and a dry herbal note. Slightly less sweet, but more intense.
Review by Timo Groeger
Wow, that was a great finish. Very smoky and spicy on the nose, the long ageing is also noticeable of course, lots of wood. This continues on the palate, except that a slight fruitiness also comes through here.
Review by Serge
Insanely cool. Happy to finally be able to try this rum: Honey, honeycomb, beeswax in its purest form. Plus smoke, vanilla and a medicinal note. Awesome stuff and very slightly charred in the finish and the most beautiful honey toast
Review by Basti
Fair review. First of all, this is my first WIRD and it would probably be more appropriate to enjoy this rare bottling in peace. For me, it is not comparable to the bottlings I know from Barbados. The taste is absolutely unique and I am glad that I was able to try it.
Review by Skyfly
Small 86er Rockley X tasting: among the typical Rockley markers, vanilla dominates for me here, which is also very present on the palate but has to share the stage with smoke, various fruits, and honey. The finish is noticeably shorter and not as impressive as RX7784 from RA.
Review by Felix Reiber
Master craftsmanship was at work here! Rockley is such a brilliant creation, and this Nobilis skillfully proves it. On the nose, I first get spices, honey, vanilla, wood, nuts, and incredibly beautiful smoky notes. Mango, honeycomb, licorice, oak, and floral notes perfectly harmonize with the smoky spice. On the palate, a very enjoyable sweetness spreads out. It starts with honey, wood, spices, smoke, vanilla, and tropical fruits. Then dark chocolate, dried fruits, oak, roasted notes, anise, and again the floral aromas unfold. This rum possibly offers the most integrated alcohol I've ever experienced. The long and very complex, refined finish lives on spices, smoke, oak, dark chocolate, vanilla, and licorice. Dried fruits, floral hints, and herbs let the flavor spectacle end pleasantly. The roasted notes are always present and perfectly accompany the profile. Many thanks to @SaibotZtar for the opportunity to taste this great drop 😀
Review by Jussi Piirainen
Rum X Rockley 1986 crosstasting. On livetasting event this was very woody and i figured to have another try, but this time im letting the rum sit in the glass for longer time. On the nose: Its still woody, medicinal, but after sitting in the glass there are also honey notes. Vanilla notes pop up here and there. Taste: Smoky and woody with charred type of notes. Spices like anise. Licorice.Medicinal. Palate is leaning towards the bitter side with little bit of sweetness. Finish:Smoky, licorice, light herbal/medicinal mouthfell. Medium finish. Extra time in the glass didn't really bring out different flavours nor those typical Rockley notes. Interesting rum and worth of checking out, especially if you like woody and smoky notes. Compared to two other Rockley rums (RX7784 and RX3896) in tasting, this was really lacking richness and complexity, so i am scoring this rum lower.
Review by Pavel Spacek
Much more technical than RA, even on nose. Less fruity, much more glue on taste than RA
Review by kondgab
Honey, smoke, medicine, herbal notes.
Review by Florent Apl
Thanks to FischeJ, I get to try both Rockley from 1986, the RA and the Nobilis. This one is also very interesting, but the RA works better in my opinion. The Nobilis comes slightly sharper, the alcohol is more present both on the nose and the palate, and it's also more woody and let's fruity. Still a very good rum, but noticeably less than the RA.
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
The nose is particularly enchanting! Everything is charm and voluptuousness, with notes of honey, almonds, tobacco, and fruits (banana-orange). This nose is magical! It's irresistibly attractive; you want to dive in and taste it! The palate is creamy and pure indulgence... phew, the nose didn't let us down! Indeed, the palate is honeyed with hints of vanilla, and the longer it lingers, the more fun and pleasant it becomes. It's like a fruit cake sprinkled with spices. A perfect balance between aromatic complexity and indulgence.
Review by Michael Schou
04-10-2025 - Rate 9.2 Nobilis Warehouse tasting #3 Nose of spice, wood, dried fruits and herbs. Palate of wood dried fruit and a hint of tobacco. Medium finish dominated by tobacco and wood. 09-01-2026 - Rate 9.3
Review by w00tAN
Rockley 1986 Crosstasting with Jakob The nose was a bit rougher and simpler than the RA. Overall less fruity but toasty with coffee notes. On the palate also citrus fruits, wood. But somehow less harmonious in direct comparison. Long finish with peppery note and wood. Compared to No. 4.
Review by Filip Šikula
I'm tasting it for the umpteenth time, and I have to say, it's one of the best, if not the best Rockley 86 I've ever had. I'll compare it today with the one from Rum Artesanal, but here everything is just right!
Review by Christoph H.
A good and interesting Rockley, no question about it. If this were the only one on the planet, buying it would be a no-brainer. However, in my opinion, the competition here is too strong. Compared to the DT and RA, this one is relatively scratchy. Much more smoke/black powder, barrel, little fruit, and overall rather on the bitter side. The alcohol in the nose is also not ideally integrated compared to the others. This one lacks the pure Rockley DNA that is definitely wonderfully present in the RA and DT.
Review by Alexander Rasch
Tried it at the 13th GRF and it was the absolute highlight for me. Especially on the nose, I found the difference to the 2000 Rockly exciting since it had much less smoke. The 1986 was like smelling fresh laundry. Fresh, light, tasty, and super complex. A unique world of aromas. Simply brilliant and delicious. Top rum with a strong unique character. Damn awesome.
Review by Benoit Mahe
An unusual profile but not necessarily to my taste. It remains a beautiful spirit, offering a nice length, but I don't enjoy it much.
Review by Carlitooo
Not quite on a par with RA and SS
Review by Johnny Rumcask
Is it good? Yes. Is Rockley overrated? Oh yes. Sure: good stuff, no doubt. Herbs, a bit of smoke, long and complex, alcohol well integrated. For the price asked, rather no.
Review by CaRaph
I'll make it short : a hell of a good one. Incredible nose, pretty soft in mouth with perfectly integrated alcohol, finish long and delicious :) Empty glass smells very good too !
Review by Schnubbii
Fair rating: Great, complex and fruity nose. Explosion of flavors on the palate. Fruity, creamy, slightly salty. What a beast! Only the finish is "just" medium length.
Review by Jarek
RumX Cross Tasting 24-10-2025: WIRD Rockley 1986 by Jakob Thanks to Jakob for the chance! I also added a "leftover sample" of Plantation Extreme No. 5. On the nose, smoke, herbs, and honey, but less honey than expected. There’s also fruit, but it pulls back more on the palate. The roasted and spicy notes dominate. Long finish with smoke, coffee, licorice, and a medicinal note at the end. I notice that I rated all the 1986 Rockleys below the community average today. Probably not my favorite profile, even though I find it interesting and exciting.
Review by Adrianv
Rockley 86 tasting, noble, orange, wood, honey, slightly behind RA
Review by Orfer Santos
Nobilis, as often, does not disappoint. They please us with an exceptional product. The only downside is the length; unfortunately, it falls a bit short but is very pleasant to drink. I recommend it without hesitation.
Review by rhum
Magnificent bottling, one of the best rums from N’oublias for sure, with unique notes and a rum that hardly resembles anything else.
Review by JFehr
GRF13 Lots of honey. Medicinal and smoky. Great rum
Review by Martin Švojgr
Sometimes I get to try a great sample and this one definitely belongs to that group. A perfectly balanced rum full of honeycombs, wood, flowers, thyme, and similar spices. After a while, I taste bitter chocolate with candied orange peel on the palate, which lingers very clearly for a long time, eventually fading into woody echoes of a full-bodied rum. A beautiful old piece.
Review by Mopar Rules
Second cross tasing of the Rockley‘s 1986. This one is number two with an intense and complex nose, but a bit more acid. They all lose out on the palate which is much mor subtle compared to the nose. Abv very well integrated. A warm, balanced and very fruity rum, slightly behind the RA.
Review by Joe3993
It is a rum for someone seeking the perfect balance between fruity freshness and archival depth. That subtle smoky 'tail' on the finish makes every single sip an unforgettable experience
Review by David Scharsach
Hell fruity with a slight smoky note. Literally explodes on the palate.
No reviews match this filter.
Expert reviews
2 critics scored it, averaging 9.3/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum.
Expert review by Single Cask Rum
Read full review ›
Expert review by Tasting Bro's
Read full review ›
Community shelf
44 bottles logged by 35 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
15% opened, 3 emptied.
What does Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986 cost?
Community paid 436–801 €.
Current best price: 1,350.00 € – above the typical community range.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 633 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
44 purchased · 83 tasted · 36 wishlist · as of
Details about Nobilis West Indies No. 3 Rockley BBR 1986
A Pot Still Rum from Barbados, bottled by Nobilis Rum, at 54,7%.
Read on in the RumX Guide
You may also enjoy
Rum enthusiasts who like this rum have also given the following rums high ratings:
Silver Seal West Indies Barbados BRS 1986
TRC Hampden Jamaica C<>H 1990
Enmore Rumclub Private Selection Ed. 22 REV 1994
Velier Uitvlugt Modified GS MGS 1996
Silver Seal Uitvlugt Demerara 1989
Never miss a price drop.
Set a target price in the app, and we'll let you know as soon as the rum becomes available at that price from one of our partner stores. This works for any rum on your wish list.
Oliver · FounderBy rum lovers, for rum lovers
I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
Oliver, Stuttgart
About RumX ›YouTube channel (German, English subtitles)
