Holmes Cay Venezuela 2007
I asked my family for a bottle of Holmes Cay Venezuela 2007 for my birthday last year, having previously tasted it at a rum show and coming away keen to spend more time with it. When I finally sat down with my own bottle, it was one I had been looking forward to tasting for some time and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.
Holmes Cay is an independent bottler founded by Eric Kaye, selecting rums from distilleries around the world and releasing them as individual bottlings. Independent bottlers have become an important part of the rum landscape, often giving us the opportunity to taste spirit outside of a distillery’s usual range and see how different casks or maturation choices can change the character of a familiar rum. Holmes Cay’s releases are a good example of that approach.
Facts & Figures.
ABV: 55%
Country: Venezuela
Age: 15 years
Cask: ex-Bourbon oak
Still: Column still
Price: £120
Distillery: Destilería Sofa
On the nose.
Initially there’s a hint of ethanol, like it’s clinging to the side of the glass, but it is quickly overshadowed by a medley of nuts (almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts). Interestingly there’s a deep vegetal (think mossy, damp) note underneath that adds a lot of depth to the profile. As I pull the glass away to put it down a touch of sweetness from a crème brûlée.
On the palate.
Very tart with red fruit and lots of acidity and tannins (in a way that feels quite familiar to a wine tasting), supported by old, wet wood that coated my mouth before releasing bursts of juice from cranberries, red currants and raspberries.
Towards the finish I found some raw ginger starting to come forward alongside raisins/dates. The mouthfeel throughout is interestingly drying despite the juicy elements I’ve called out.
8/10 – This is a really interesting profile with all of the elements working together rather than competing.
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.
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