SBS Cuba 2012

I spotted this one on a shop shelf and picked it up without any hesitation. This particular bottle only usually shows up at auction. At 50%, it’s also bottled at a higher strength than most Cuban releases you’ll come across, which made it even harder to leave on the shelf.

This is part of the SBS range from 1423 World Class Spirits, a Danish independent bottler that sources single casks from distilleries around the world and bottles them without additives or chill filtration. The 2012 is a column still rum, the same type of still used across Cuba to produce the country’s characteristically clean, lighter-bodied style. Only 374 bottles were made.

Facts & Figures.

ABV: 50%

Country: Cuba

Age: 9 years

Cask: Bourbon and Virgin Oak

Still: Column

Price: £140

Distillery: Unknown

On the nose.

I found this to have a very pleasant warmth with lots of oily walnuts and dry baking spices. The wood influence is present but plays more of a supporting role, working alongside the higher (especially for Cuba) ABV to lift the other flavour profiles rather than dominate. Towards the finish ginger and pepper add an element of spiciness, whilst desiccated coconut, vanilla and subtle banana offer a sweeter side.

On the palate.

This has a treacle like mouthfeel with a surprisingly dense/heavy profile for this usually lighter style of rum. This is gently warming with a delicious dry sweetness. This makes me think of a pistachio/almond croissant as the oily nut texture/flavour from the nose continues to shine through alongside rich, flaky, buttery croissant. On the finish there’s just enough pepper to keep you on your toes and a fleeting dark chocolate and coconut, not unlike a macaron.

9/10 – This is a different side to Cuba that we don’t often get to see. If another bottle comes up at auction I’d be very tempted.