Dràm Mòr, Fiji
ABV: 62%
Country: Fiji
Age: 8 year
Cask: Matured in refill Bourbon Barrel
Still: Pot Still
Price: £70 (although very hard to find in the wild)
Distillery: Unknown
This is a limited release of just 271 bottles.
Dràm Mòr is an independent single cask spirits bottler based in Scotland that aim to source high quality, unique spirits. You’ll notice I’ve said spirits and not rum a couple of times there as Dràm Mòr are most famously known for whisky but made the decision in 2020 to expand into the world of rum.
Nose
There is an initial big flavour of high ester funk. Once you get through the funk there are wonderful fresh notes of menthol and nettles.
Blackcurrants and leather with a supporting note of antique furniture counteract a feeling of a young, almost immature, profile. This makes for a bold and complex body that is irritating my nose just a little.
Adding a couple of drops of water instantly makes freshly scraped vanilla pod jump straight out.
Palate
Up top I immediately get a big wave of dark chocolate that’s really enjoyable. At 62% ABV it’s safe to say this packs a heat to match but the liquid drinks like a high 40s… dangerous AND delicious.
There’s a bit of a funk party happening here but banana and pineapple aren’t on the guest list!
Towards the tail end of the palate I’m getting fresh mint in the rain that offsets beautifully against an old, cracked leather belt – smoky rather than polished, akin to having been left next to overnight embers.
Adding a drop of water instantly turns this into a rainforest! A healthy dash of white pepper and my mouth is filled with humidity.
8/10 – dangerously delicious!
My scoring system, explained
- 10: Exceptional. This is best in class and a firm favourite of mine.
- 9: Outstanding. Near perfection, a bottle I would be sad to finish (and very happy to restock!)
- 8: Excellent. An evening spent sipping this would be a very good one.
- 7: Great. Add to cart, no questions asked.
- 6: Very good. At the right price I would definitely buy a bottle.
- 5: Good. If someone poured me a glass you wouldn’t hear me complain.
- 4: Above average. Not quite good but better than some.
- 3: Average. Average at best, this isn’t offensive but equally not exciting either.
- 2: Not for me. This simply means it’s not a profile I find enjoyable; rather than a reflection of quality.
- 1: Not the spirit. This is a poor representation of the spirit.
