Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum (700ml)

St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies is a small rum distillery situated in the scenically beautiful and agriculturally rich valley of Roseau on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. A passionate team of distillers and blenders work together to produce a range of over 25 rum and rum-related products, many of which have won honours at international competitions. This spiced version contains local spices and fruits including cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, coconut, all spice, lemon and orange. Also added is Richeria Grandis – known locally as “Bois Bande” – a bark renowned in the Caribbean as a potent aphrodisiac . The distiller's comment, "We have found Chairman’s Reserve Spice benefits from a combination of steeping certain spices and Bois Bande in the rum for up to a year while the other ingredients are added during the blending process. In this way we can bring out the flavour of the spices and fruits while preserving the complexity and harmony of the underlying rum."

Considered by some the final word in the spiced rum genre and included in Wine Enthusiast's Top 50 spirits for 2011.

Tasting note: Brillinat polished copper pot colour. Powerful and engaging opening aromas include bubble gum and ginger biscuit; more redolent of fruit cake in subsequent inspections. A creamy entry follows through to an off dry, stewed fruit, allspice and gingerbread profile with cinnamon, clove and gingerbread competing in the finish. Lovely balance and concentration with the mid palate sweetness nicely tempered in the fade. Up there with El Dorado as one of the best of its kind to hit the market to date. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... So this is what all the bartenders have been talking about. Bright copper-penny color and a mulled-wine aroma rich with cloves, cassia bark, and sweet dried fruit notes. The flavor is delicately balanced, sweet and spiced but not too much of either. Ginger, cinnamon, and allspice take the leading role, not vanilla, from the first sip through to the lingering, lightly spicy finish. One of the few spiced rums worth sipping straight. 96 points - wineenthusiast.com

Gold Medal. 2011 World Spirits Awards.