We can pretend as if nothing has happened since our last post and I think that’s what we will do. Once again, there has been a good reason and this time I will actually let you know about it: I have build a bar! But more on that later. Trust me, I promise ;).

Compagnie des Indes Beenleigh 2013 8YO (59,1%): Nose: Are we out of practice? At almost 60%, this should be more intense I feel. Don’t get me wrong, it is nice, with apples, cashews, almonds, a hint of coffee and a whiff of dried grass. With this one, I am hoping for more at the palate though. Palate: Now definitely sharper than I think it ought to be. Green apples, coffee, that nut mix again and now clearly also pear. It is nice and good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Slightly more spicy and oaky towards the end. Finish: Rather short with pear and cashew. Later also vanilla, pepper and oak. A solid Beenleigh where the eight years of age don’t really feel to be too little. (79/100)

Rumclub Beenleigh 2013 9YO (69,7%): I wonder why there’s such a big difference in abv between this one and the Compagnie des Indes (CdI). I am guessing the CdI has been reduced, but then, why reduce it to such an odd number!? Nose: Extremely similar to the CdI but much fuller and more intense. The higher abv is definitely noticeable. Relatively speaking, it is more pronounced on the notes of coffee and cocoa, less so on apple and the nuts. So far this is much, much better. Palate: Nice! Quite hot at first but at this abv that’s to be expected. I get plenty of quince and cocoa, peanuts and later citrus. This is a real ‘in your face’ Rum and I like it! I don’t think I would have been able to call this a Beenleigh blindly though. Finish: Medium long with chocolate, quince, oak, coffee and a mix of spices. Well done. (84/100)

These 2013s were very nice. I don’t think they will gain a lot from more maturation though but we shall see. Now on to the 2007s.

Valinch & Mallet Beenleigh 2007 16YO (57,6%): Nose: The Rum has some similarities but also quite a few differences compared to the 2013s. Most notably, it is much milder and smoother at its 16 years. Then pears instead of apples, vanilla instead of peppery notes. With this particular one, I also get red bell pepper, honey and slightly medical notes, something that we’ve also found in many other 2007s. Palate: Definitely pepper here! No idea why I didn’t come across it in the nose. This note is very dominant and stays throughout the finish to the next sip. Then pear, coffee, mint and honey again. I like it. Finish: As I said, pepper, which stays for a long time, but the mint is almost as present here. A very nice finish I must say. A Rum pretty much to my liking, even though it isn’t anything special. It simply does its task very well. It is just that the alcohol is a bit too present for my liking. (83/100)

Rumclub Beenleigh 2007 16YO (64,8%): Once again, quite the difference in abv here. Nose: Nice, smooth and balanced. I get a mix of pears, vanilla, pepper and warm plastic, which I really enjoy. Deeper in the glass we can also find some exotic fruits, roasting aromas and honey. Somewhat to my surprise, I don’t detect any of these medical notes though. Palate: Oha, much more intense and better than the nose. These Rumclubs know how to make use of their power. Mango, pear, honey, pepper and black tea are my main associations here. Pretty good. Finish: It is not as long as that of the Valinch & Mallet and doesn’t leave the same type of impression but I enjoy this one as well, as the honey notes merge it all together in a pleasant way. Rumclub surely knows how to pick their Australians! (85/100)