West Indies Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum 2000 24yr 46,9%

"Very varied and complex, it is also demanding in its own way. There is a lot going on, especially in the mouth. From leather to chocolate, earthy, salty to medicinal and herbal. My wife says it smells like a whiteboard pen. I like this profile, even if this bottling isn't the best, it's still pleasing. Very long finish btw"

"compared with the RA Rockley 2000 from 2021 and the SBS 2000 PX cask finish. The new Rockley is somehow a disappointment on the nose, reminding me more of the RA SFGB with the Swiss stone pine and kumquat. However, it has little in common with the typical Rockley notes (smoke/honey) that are so appreciated. Unfortunately, the SBS doesn't convince me either, the PX finish (as so often) kills everything here."

"Nose: Herbs and resin are my first associations. Very medicinal and unusual in this combination! I hardly recognize the honey typical of WIRD and with the herbs it comes across more as dark forest honey. Very mild/thin and very medicinal on the palate, then with a bitter/dry mouthfeel, which reinforces the medicinal aspect. The finish slowly fades with the medicinal and dry notes I like to award bonus points for unusual bottlings, but this one doesn't convince me - it seems disharmonious and unbalanced to me."

"Quite herbal on the nose. A great, bacony smoky note on the palate. Very pleasant drinking strength."

"Typical 2000 WIRD profile, but significantly riper and woodier than the first bottling of Rum Artesanal. What surprises me is the distinctive orange note, which clearly turns bitter on the palate. I like the fact that the rum is much more present in the mouth than its predecessor, despite a slightly lower alcohol content. In direct comparison, however, the "Rockley" characteristics are somewhat less pronounced, which is not necessarily a bad thing for the rum itself, as the first bottling doesn't have much to offer apart from the classic aromas!"

"Pure saffron, saffron with acacia honey. Some chamomile, very subtle kumquat and bitter orange, some oak wood, light roasted aromas that are also reminiscent of incense from the church and almost bacony and leathery aromas. Very fine and balanced, not too thin at any point... A real surprise for me from the otherwise rather weakly rated 2000 WIRD vintage. Despite the rather low alcohol content, very elegant and not too weak. Beautiful bottling from RA!"

"In der Abfüllung findet man die typische Rockley Honig-Rauchnote, wenn natürlich auch nur in der subtileren 2000er Form. Dazu aber auch eine recht ausgeprägte Kräuternote. Brauch ich jetzt persönlich nicht in einem Rockley, aber ich kann auch nicht sagen, das es mich gestört hat."

"In der Nase ein schönes Profil. Etwas Honig leicht blumig, helle trockene Frucht. Sehr sehr einladend. Am Gaumen geben bittere Orange und Kräuterige Noten den Ton an. Letztlich vom Niveau her auf dem nahezu selben Level wie das zuvor abgefüllte Fass. Schwer da einen vorne zu sehen. Ist einfach Geschmackssache. Beide eint eine gute Balance und während hier bittere Zitrus/Orange (Kumquat) heraussticht ist es beim Vorgänger eher die schönen Honignote, die mir dann eine Ecke besser gefällt."

"Without direct comparison in my memory not as good as the other 2000 from RA. This one doesn't have as much honey, rather woody bitter/roasted aromas dominate. Still a very good Rockley, of course! In the empty glass, wonderful honey and vanilla."