Fine Drams Clarendon Fine Old Clarendon Rum (Aficionados) EMB 1997

glue, varnish (markers recognized and sought-after on this type of provenance, I repeat) - even polish a bit like shoe polish... and melted tropical fruit. In short: Jamaican funk is here, and with your eyes closed, you can't miss it. It comes out of the bottle without asking for your consent 👀 well, yeah, it's 1997... Next come woody, vanilla, a combination almost reminiscent of lip balm, fun! It's thick and fat, heavy on the nose alone. Nb: after 45min of aeration, coffee emerges from the glass, the wood becomes more present, an old, dusty, damp wood, and some red fruits make their appearance. In 👄: the explosion of flavors! We keep the framework of the nose, with exotic fruits, glue, why not even rubber instead. We add spices, a slight spiciness and a hint of wood. The vanilla has turned into a light mocha. It's very thick, and not all that strong for those used to 55-60 proof rum! Finish: obviously very long, more piquant, slightly bitter dark chocolate, a background of red fruits interspersed with fresh mint, rather discreet. After a few refills, the chocolate is more present on the tongue, but the minty aspect lingers on the cheeks, and never leaves us ♥️ Nb: I love this mentholated aspect, which lightens up these heavy rums. It makes you want to go back quickly. In short, this is obviously not a rum for Thursday evenings with friends. It's a slow tasting experience, extreme in the range of aromas presented, and surely unforgettable! The slap in the face was foretold, but here it is. Definitely in my top 5.

Tasting compared with Colours of Rum Clarendon N°2.This is more fruity in comparison and has more Jamaica funk, again I have the association with Long Pond. Palate: less bitter and more fruity, the high alcohol content is very well integrated. Overall very balanced, a little funkyness and glue is also present and is well rounded by the tannins.In the aftertaste it becomes a little bitter but the fruitiness is not lost. This rum is in direct comparison less bitter, fruitier and does not have as much alcoholic sharpness. The origin from Jamaica is more noticeable. I like excellent and a tad better than the Colours of Rum Clarendon N°2.For me, the best Clarendon from the 90s so far.

RumX Awards 2023. Sweet and slightly spicy on the nose, with a vegetal, woody and fruity edge (pineapple, kiwi, apple). The palate is spicy with deep notes and a freshness reminiscent of menthol (blue candy). The finish is long and flavorful, balanced with citrus notes that finish this rum off very elegantly. A little parasitic acidity reduces the note a little. Tasted again, this time it seems a little better than the 26 ans.

One of the top bottlings of the 2023. For me, it's a touch ahead of the 1995 EMB from Fine Dram (another PLV cracker on release). Unfortunately it was quickly sold out. Here you'll find a typical EMB profile with mint, menthol, tropical fruits like peach... nice wood influence.

Excellent. The old tropical clarendon which is of a very high level. The nose is top, nice balance between very ripe fruits, almond and a hint of rubber that tends to fade with aeration. On the palate, the 68° stings a bit and tends to make less room for the other aromas. I liked it better with a little bit of water. The profile is pretty much in line with the nose I think. We are here at a very high level, for a hundred euros for 35cl, the kind of bottling to take if you like these old tropical clarendons. Let's salute here the bottler because the format is a great idea and makes the product affordable and more available. Good for them.

Wow. What a bottling. Hot contender for bottling of the year. Tested against the RumSponge Clarendon 1997 and the Fine Drams is a bit wilder. Actually, both are equally good for me, but the price of the Fine Drams gives it an extra point. Absolute board. It's amazing that you can still buy it. Right off into May Tai with it.92/100

About this Clarendon has already been written abundantly... and most are right. This is already exceptionally good! This woody, spicy note hits me right in my rum heart! Of it very much like more

#4166 A very nice and funny Clarendon with fruityness and some glue. Very well balanced and a must try if you have the chance.

This Rum is as spicy as it gets and overly complex in all aspects. The nose is stunning, warm, wood, spices and dried fruits. The palate comes a bit rough at first because of its complexity. You get used to it after a few sips but nevertheless I found it to be even better with just a few drops of water. The finish is long and warm with a sweetness that I couldn’t find before turning into honey after some time. Beginning in the nose, changing a bit on the palate and again in the finish, this really is a great complex and balanced Rum. Many thanks for the Sample to J.

Look at me, late to the (tasting) party 😁 So many reviews and they all make a point. One of the best or 2023. Not an easy rum though… And that’s final 😉

Really cool. Complex and intense. Only in the nose stings the alcohol first slightly. On the palate, however, a blast.

Even a note better than the 95 release, more intense fruits power that survives some water and opens up some more. Great profile that keeps on evolving and the long finish gives enough time to explore. //update: yes, still great :-)

Great EMB with great alcohol integration and a complex profile. A little less balanced and complete than the Rum Sponge, but on a par with the Velier. A PLV cracker at the issue price.

Great balance of fruitiness and (tropical) wood influence with some rubber and glue associations. Excellent aroma! Intense, complex and pleasantly bitter on the palate. Wow, this is really fun! Excellent Jamaican at a very fair issue price with a great form factor!

Simply an EMB poem. 😍 I'll be honest: Blind it could have been currently for me also one of these great Chairman's Single Casks (St. Lucia) of last year - so I have to deal more with this rum. This will include that I absolutely times against the outstanding EMB of RA (RX7788) tasted. But already I can say: hot contender for my list of the best rums of 2023 (to which the breakthrough bottle size also contributes). 😋😋😋