We are having two young Monymusks from 2015 today. The difference? The wear different marques and aged in different climatic zones.

S.B.S Monymusk “EMB” 2015 7YO (65,7%): To paraphrase a buddy of mine “you can always buy EMB” and I think I can agree. But here we do not know (yet). This almost entirely aged on Jamaica, by the way. Nose: Plums and plum juice, plenty of cinnamon and cloves, baked apples, pepper as well as wood lacquer. It is a very Christmas-y profile indeed. Palate: Very spicy, with cinnamon, cloves, different sorts of pepper, caramel, anise and nutmeg. After a few seconds also the plums and apples again. The EMB profile is apparent, but it is young and in many ways also quite a bit different from the other EMBs we know. I kinda expected this one to be more fruity however, but definitely do not mind the spicyness. Finish: Short to medium long but mostly an extension of the palate. A fine expression, but from a maturity point of view we aren’t quite there yet I think, even though the barrel was definitely very active already. (82/100)

Habitation Velier Monymusk “MMW” 2015 7YO (59%): Notes: What I describe as lots and lots of papaya and guava is what some people might associate with a note of “vomit”. Anyway, for me it is this quintessential Monymusk profile which cannot be found in all of their Rums, but which makes sure that you always recognise it as Rum from Clarendon. Behind that I get find hints of plums, cinnamon and other spices, as well as more herbal notes. The overripe fruits described above are definitely the main contributors here though. Palate: The palate is very true to the nose, as the aromas translate very well to their corresponding tastes. The sweet, highly overripe fruits meet plum jam with cinnamon, jerk seasoning (allspice and thyme) as well as the right amount of oak, as far as my palate is concerned. The alcohol is integrated very well if you ask me, making this a sufficiently layered yet not too challenging sipper. Finish: Medium long without any new elements, really. It strikes a very good balance between fruity and spicy. A fine Rum where I don’t have a lot to complain about. But you do have to like this particular profile. (86/100)