El Dorado Port Mourant 2009 Single Still Rum

ABV: 40%

Country: Guyana

Age: 12 years

Cask: Unknown

Still: Port Mourant double wooden pot still

Price: £98

Distillery: Demerara Distillers Ltd.

I got this bottle as a gift for my birthday, and it feels like a fitting addition to my recent exploration of rums from Guyana. The legendary Port Mourant still has long been on my list to try properly, and this El Dorado 2009 Single Still release seemed like the perfect way to do it.

El Dorado’s Single Still series gives a rare opportunity to taste the character of some of Demerara Distillers Limited’s historic wooden stills in isolation. The Port Mourant still, in particular, is one of the most famous in rum history – a double wooden pot still that dates back to the 1730s. It’s been carefully maintained and moved several times over the centuries, now housed at the Diamond Distillery in Guyana. Known for producing heavy, full-bodied rums with a distinctive depth and spice, Port Mourant distillate is a core component in many of El Dorado’s blends. Tasting it on its own offers a glimpse into one of the key building blocks of Demerara rum tradition.

Nose

Some ethanol initially that carries bold and punch aromas of fruity esters (think pineapple juice and bananas). There’s a gentle wisp of smoke cutting through the fruitier notes with a lingering oak spice.

Palate

A little thinner on the mouthfeel than I expected this to be but this doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavour. There is some pleasant wood present but without any tannins or pepper. Warm apples (think crumble!), coconut, banana and some dark fruits alongside a little leathery bitterness.

7/10 – I really want to taste this at cask strength, but this does drink great as it is!