Bristol Classic, Panama 2010
Bristol Classic Rum’s Panama 2010 is a bottling that sits within a style I have been spending more time with recently. Panamanian rum has been a consistent source of enjoyment for me, so this felt like a natural one to pick up and explore further.
This is my fourth or fifth rum from the independent bottler Bristol Classic and I’ve had the pleasure of trying a lot of their releases! There’s a level of consistency in their releases that I really value. Their approach tends to let the rum speak for itself, which really suits this profile.
Facts & Figures.
ABV: 47%
Country: Panama
Age: 12 years
Cask: American Oak
Still: Column Still
Price: £60
Distillery: Unknown
On the nose.
A very gentle and inviting profile with a decent amount of woody spice. Fresh vanilla bean adds sweetness and counter balances the toasted oak. This hints at some fragrant, fruity notes but I can’t quite name them.
On the palate.
The vanilla sweetness and toasted, warm oak spice immediately follow through from the nose with quite a dry mouthfeel. A little astringency is present, but it’s not unpleasant. Pineapple and mixed berries are subtle but present. On the finish some caramel develops. This is quite a refined profile with most of the flavour and character happening in the margins rather than being outlandish bold flavours.
7/10 – this is a really enjoyable rum I’m looking forward to spending more time unpicking.
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.
