The Many Faces of Rum

Update: 15.02.2025 Mal wieder mein großes TDL Crosstasting. Der Nobilis TDL 2003, der Kill Devil 13 yo 2003, der Tamosi 2003, der erste TWJ 2003 19yo und der neue WDC 22yo. Vom Nobilis, Kill Devil und WDC wissen wir, dass sie aus 02/2003 stammen. Bei den anderen ist der genau Batch unklar. Leider fehlt mir heute einer der CDIs aus dem April 2003 - ich gehe davon aus, dass der TWJ aus dem April ist. In der Nase bildet der TWJ die eine Seite des Spektrums: Volle Ladung frische Minze, saftiger Pfirsich, etwas Mango, minimal Tee im Hintergrund. Der Kill Devil bildet die andere Seite, erinnert an den OR&S, Nougat und Karamell, schwer und süß. In der Bewertung gefällt mir der TWJ am besten, der Kill Devil fällt ab. WDC, Tamosi und WDC sind weitestgehend auf Augenhöhe mit leichten Vorteilen für den Tamosi. Sehr lecker alles, aber weit entfernt von der Spitzenklasse des Jahrgangs, den CDIs für 1802, Caksus oder Premium Spirits. +1 Original 26.11.2023: Habe den TWJ TDL 2003 gegen den Caksus CDI TDL 2003 verkostet. Gestern war der Caksus viel intensiver als der Auld Alliance. Heute kommt der TWJ mit nochmal mehr Power aus dem Glas. Er ist viel dreckiger und schwerer als der eher gelb-fruchtige Caksus. Die Verwandtschaft mit den schweren 2001ern deutlicher. Der Pfirsich ist da, aber weit im Hintergrund hinter getrocknetem Steinobst, hinter einer Menthol und Kräuterschicht und dunklem Holz. Im Mund ist der Eindruck ähnlich, die beiden Rums sind sich aber ähnlicher. Dennoch ist der TWJ dreckiger, würziger, weniger elegant, erinnert fast ein bisschen an manche Pot still Chairman's. Das Holz bringt bittere Tannine, die Frucht wird zu ebenso bitteren Zitrusschalen. Der Caksus ist viel eleganter und fruchtiger. Der Abgang ist sehr lang, sehr mentholig frisch und nicht zu bitter. Ich tu mich etwas schwer mit diesem Rum. Einerseits eine tolle Tiefe und Komplexität, viele schwere, dreckige Aromen, andererseits ist mir eine Spur zu bitter, zu krautig. Mit 85 Punkten eine Nuance hinter dem Caksus.

A 2003 T.D.LDThe often belong to the "dirty" and especially mint monsters...The nose starts relaxed with bourbon, vanilla and barrel. If I smell deeper into the glass, the alcohol jumps out at me and almost obscured also mint and freshness/coolness! It's hard for me to get past the alcohol. Some fruitiness (dried fruit) and spice can be found. Palate: first an unexpected malt note, then a whole bunch of mint and kumquat, quite bitter, barrel and spice again, all within a pleasant framework. Overall quite sharp but that may be due to my extended rum break. The mint and light bitterness linger long and complement each other well. A nice, intense T.D.L with a lot of mint character, which could be quietly more complex.

Complex and rich nose. It clearly shows its age with dark and woody notes. Still it has a freshness with fruits and menthol notes (not fresh mint) making for a nice mix overall. Similar performance on the palate: clearly shows its age but retains enough liveliness to deliver an excellent example of the profile. Wood, tea, herbs and some fruits with a long minty finish. Nice!

Schöner Minz TDL. Nicht auf dem Level der 2003er CDI

Wow, it really is a powerhouse! I love mint - and it has really a lot. And only the finish! Laaaang and läääänger! Yes, there is a lot of alcohol involved. Of course, I still have to compare this rum with the new top dog from Asta Morris, but it already leaves a strong impression. I am glad to have bought a bottle.Small drop of bitterness: On the nose, the rum is somewhat unimpressive for my sensation, I would have trouble in a blind tasting to detect a T.D.L.Nevertheless, 89 points, because the palate, especially the finish, just pulls everything out again today.

initially quite on the minty side on the road (but not necessarily the pungent mentholige). After some dwell time then also a portion of dried fruit, bicycle tube and something sweet towards toffee. On the palate, workshop, charred barrel and again subtle sweetness, perhaps more like just boiled down jam...the WJ definitely plays right up there (but I'll have to compare it again with the Rasta Morris directly). Many thanks to Tobias for the sample!

A minty nose with walnuts, orange zest and dried fruit. Cedar wood (cigar box) underpins, with a tangy, vegetal edge. The palate is vigorous, the aromas invade the mouth, led by menthol, then diminish fairly quickly. Less complexity here than on the nose. The remaining aromas last quite long, especially cedar wood, menthol and orange zest. Quite a bit of woody bitterness at the very end.

Relatively close to its stork counterpart, this rum nevertheless reveals an identity all its own. The nose is very round, with a very pronounced and pleasant fruity tone of black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), tropical fruit (papaya) and peach. The freshness of menthol and flowers adds depth to the nose, while a hint of spice and caramel adds an extra dose of deliciousness. Although there's a dirty note of tire (in reference to a famous defunct distillery), the bourbon tends to take over on aeration. A profile that is nonetheless elegant, sensual and generous. The attack on the palate is lively, focused on menthol and herbaceousness, but also on spices (pepper) and fruit, as voluptuous as ever. There's a hint of bitterness, with wood and leather giving the palate a boost. The more empyreumatic leanings (dirty, roasted, rubbery) become more present in the background. The alcohol is very well integrated. Compared to the stork, the profile is a little rougher, but remains authentic and complex. The finish is very long, dominated by the freshness of menthol and herbs, but slightly more roasted and tannic. The spicy, toasty oak becomes fuller, while the fruit becomes more discreet (exotic fruit, yellow fruit, dried fruit, blackcurrant). An exuberant, characterful profile, but as charming as ever, both on the nose and on the palate.

#5569 18.08.2025 Enjoying a few samples after a hard day at work. Nose Fresh, balanced, wood, light roasted, faint smoke, mint, light citrus, light leather, fruity, light vanilla. Palate Oily, balanced, complex, fruity, light mango, mint, light citrus, faint anise, light leather, warm. Finish Long and warm, wood, light smoke, light anise, mint, light citrus. Empty glass Light mango, mint, light citrus, light leather, vanilla. Needs to rest for a while to really open up and it has a very nice and strong mint note.

Ein wirklich wirklich schöner 2003er TDL vintage der prägnante intensive Minz-Tee, Orangenschale und lychee Noten neben schönen holzigen Tanninen zusammenbringt. 2003 ist und bleibt einfach einer der besten TDL Jahrgänge.

The whiskey jury I have in direct comparison to the Asta Morris in the glass.He is definitely the lighter of the two; should mean that he is more drinkable, softer and rounder!I like that very much, the nose with its fresh mint, the fine vanilla and some citrus is already quite beguiling! The Asta comes along there much more brute!The palate is also with the WJ velvety, creamier and contains more bitters. The Asta is much dirtier there! Both are wonderfully minty fresh in the finish.From the character, the two are already different, but at a high level!Which is better, is a pure tendency question. Although I prefer corners and edges and would therefore give preference to the Asta, but ultimately both are at the same high level and get the same points

Really great TSP. The first impression is confirmed. Mint, plus typical "TDL dirt", wood and a hint of licorice. Alcohol super integrated. But not quite as strong as the 2002 from RomDeLux. The 8.7 remains!

Nachverkostung am 2024-05-17 bei Flo: wieso habe ich beim ersten Mal nur mit 8,2 bewertet? Sooo lecker! Minzig, fruchtig, kräuterig, dreckig. Davon hätte ich gerne eine Flasche. Einer der leckersten TDLs bisher. Nachverkostung im im Rahmen eines kleinen TDL Tastings, mit RX13557, RX 944, RX15670, RX 19670, RX15565 und RX20525. Der ursprüngliche gute Eindruck bestätigt sich wieder. Fruchtiger und weicher als der CDI, komplexer als der Barracuda.

Sehr guter, typischer TDL mit der Minznote, der eher nicht so brachial wie andere daherkommen.

Delicious 2003 TDL ... nice mint with not too much menthol. Great fruit sweetness and creaminess.