No.18 SVL

MaJ: After emptying most of the bottle I figure this stuff is, in fact, even a little better than my first review. I'm adjusting my opinion upwards by 3 points. Very good, lacks a few corners and edges but is still more than satisfactory. Makes you want to find more of Guyana's treasures. A high-quality product at a fair price for what you get. My only slight drawback is the bottle, which could have been a little prettier (in direct comparison with Velier releases, for example).

A pretty Diamond that starts with an opulent nose, spices perfuming the nostrils with a kind of heaviness accentuated by wood and pastry notes on molasses, toffee and caramel. Leather, nuts and peanut notes give something original with fruit (pineapple, papaya, raisin) tobacco and a hint of freshness on flowers. It's greedy and complete. The attack on the palate is round, creamy and truly gourmand. Exotic fruits, citrus and dried fruits set the pace, followed by spices (cinnamon, vanilla and licorice), leather, wood, toasted notes (walnut, coffee) and the sweetness of chocolate, caramel, toffee and molasses. The alcohol is very well integrated. The finish, long, bitter and balanced, stays on the same register on the palate, confirming the greediness and richness of the flavors. A well-executed Diamond that's terribly easy to drink.

Nose: woody-spicy yet fruity-fresh. Sweet and sour lemon with orange syrup and papaya. In addition, the sweetness of toffee. Behind that, tobacco and vanilla and a slightly artificial essence of polish. The alcohol stings a bit. Overall, the nose is a bit restrained.Palate: the alcohol from the nose is no longer noticeable on the palate. It seems really smooth and creamy, chocolatey and nutty. Also strongly reminiscent of sweet, soft licorice. It gets a bit bitter and licoricey in the back. Delicious and almost quaffable...This one is interesting, since nose and palate are different (palate better here!). Very tasty.

Sweet profile with heavy molasses sweetness paired with wood flavors from the oak barrel, plus cooked red fruits, citrus notes as well as vanilla and some dark chocolate. Well balanced and pleasant to drink - the fruit adds another nuance, though ultimately I found it lacking a bit of final finesse. Still, a very good 2003 Diamond.

84 points. Pleasant nose that holds back a little, spices, wood, vanilla and caramel stand out. A little more expressive in the mouth, chocolate, nuts, vanilla, wood, spices and dried fruit. Well balanced but not extremely complex.

I like it, it's just not really standing out?

On the nose a condensed profile combining tannic, malty and citrusy notes. It has amazing depth of flavour with structures of crème brûlée, bitter roasted nuts and molasses. On the palate the zingyness is lost in an even thicker profile. Very concentrated on dried and red fruits, citrus peels and molasses. Sweet spices and the introduction of licorice. There’s seawind, and eventually more tannins. A combination I would -without intending disrespect- call “red winey”. The finish is softer than expected and primarily showcases the return of roasted-nuts-induced-bitterness. There’s still a deep, dark sweetness, as well as wood and dried fruits on the backdraft.

This rum is 18 years old and thus not yet overtaken. Here, pleasing notes of vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut dominate as herbs and pencil, as sometimes known from representatives from Uitvlugt, Port Mourant, Enmore and Co. The alcohol (55.4 percent) is not perfectly integrated, but the rum is nevertheless prima drinkable. A very pleasing rum from Guyana, but without real highlights.

Dark chocolate Tobacco Leather Spice Wood Books Not the fruitiest Guyana for sure, but some dried apricot and banana on background

Heute wieder eine Diamond Session. Mit dabei sind wieder der Elizabeth Yard 2003, der Two Flags 1996 und der Nobilis 2003 SVL. Der TF1996 ist der einzige gesicherte Rum von der Diamond Still, weil die Savalle damals noch in Uitvlugt stand. Farblich sind diese gefärbten Diamonds schonmal nicht von einander zu unterscheiden. Der Nobilis SVL ist der fruchtigste Rum dieser Session, aber nicht so übermäßig wie der SBS damals. Die Nase ist sehr harmonisch, aber auch ziemlich unscheinbar. Klar, Karamell, aber nur leichte Röstaromen, dafür mehr beerige Frucht und Kirschen. Sie ist dem EY ähnlicher als dem TF, ohne die gleiche Intensität und diese Harzigkeit, die ich heute beim EY wahrnehme. Der Mund ist wieder sehr ähnlich, deutlich fruchtiger als die anderen Rums der Session und auch im Vergleich mit denen von gestern. Im Vergleich zu den ORS 2003er Diamonds fehlt die Zitrusnote, dafür zeigt der SVL Beeren und Kirschen. Der Rum ist super gefällig, aber ziemlich simpel gestrickt. In der heutigen Session für mich der schlechteste. Interessant ist, dass der EY noch zu keinem der probierten Profile so richtig passen will.

Schöner daily Sipper!