Copeland smugglers reserve, Oloroso Sherry
A few friends in the rum community had been talking about Copeland’s Smuggler’s Reserve Oloroso Sherry Cask, so it didn’t take much convincing for me to pick up a bottle. I’ve enjoyed all of Copeland’s previous rum releases, and with sherry cask finishes being something I’ve been exploring more recently, this felt like a natural choice.
Copeland Distillery takes an interesting approach with its rum, blending their own rum distilled in Northern Ireland with rum sourced from Barbados before giving each release its own distinctive cask finish. The Smuggler’s Reserve range has explored a number of different casks, with this expression finished in Oloroso sherry. Having enjoyed the previous releases, I was interested to see how this latest addition compared.
Facts & Figures.
ABV: 50%
Country: Barbados & Northern Ireland
Age: No age statement
Cask: Finished in a single 250L Spanish Oloroso Sherry cask
Still: Pot Still
Price: £51.50
Distillery: Copeland and Undisclosed
On the nose.
This is very bright and fresh with a wonderful funk that makes this smell incredibly interesting. As per the other bottlings I have tasted in the range, this smells distinctly Copeland. Synthetic banana, honey coated walnuts and pineapple juice somehow all work very well together. I’m not getting an overly sherry profile on the nose.
On the palate.
Quite an oily mouthfeel that really coats my tongue. Grilled pineapple, fresh banana, sugar coated almonds, and caramel. The Oloroso cask finish is adding a lot of depth and tying this together. The fresh tropical fruit lingers for a while before making way for more dried fruits (raisins and maybe figs?). Dry warmth from ginger and nutmeg.
The finish is undeniably sherry with the thick molasses of rum playing a supporting and grounding role.
7/10 – Not an everyday rum for me but this is interesting and challenging. I’d happily spend an evening sharing this with friends.
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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