Swell de Spirits Los Convidados Satvrnal Mexican Rum (High Ester) 2023 Unaged 64%

"I would first describe it as a nice experiment. On its own, it is a broadening of the horizon, a new kind of flavor that I am not familiar with. A little bit of mescal and cinnamon, triggered by Mexico, is at the back of my mind. It's also drinkable in a daiquiri, but doesn't completely convince me here either. We'll have to wait and see if it becomes more accessible for me once it's been in the barrel for a few years."

"Ein sehr interessanter Rum, hatte ich so noch nicht im Glas. Die Olivennote ist durchgehend vorhanden, gepaart mit einer leichten salzigen Lösung. Der Alkohol ist relativ gut eingebunden und trägt die Aromen kräftig mit sich. Ganz spät im Abgang erscheint ein Aroma, dass ich nicht wirklich zuordnen kann. Eine Mischung aus Medizin, pflanzlichem und säuerlichen Saft. Ich weiß noch nicht genau, was ich mit ihm anfangen soll. Versuche es später mal in verschiedenen Cocktails"

"Nose starts of intense with some chemical notes. Right from the start this leans towards vegetal notes and artificial cinnamon (like in Big Red chewing gum) and some somkey notes. Some time to breath adds sweetness to the nose (vanilla cream soda). Also some olive griminess in there 🤔 Intense and funky in the nose. But far off from Jamaican funk (honestly I don’t get fruits on the nose really - maybe some berries, but definitely not the dominating note for me) and more akin to Agricole - but still different. Interesting! A bit less vibrant on the palate. Similar notes, yet with more fruits. Raspberry and some acidity. Texture is creamy again with some sweetness. Looking at the ABV, alcohol is nicely integrated. This one is definitely an interesting new release and I‘‘m keen to see more from the project. The unaged bottling shows a profile which isn’t a copy of anything but a profile worth explorling. Should also make for some interesting drinks."

"First of all, I think the design is absolutely brilliant, especially the shape of the bottle! The rum is also very interesting and, in keeping with the country of origin, tends to be earthy, salty and smoky. Some sweet and sour fruit joins in. Some salty sweetness comes through in the (late) finish. Very interesting. I'm looking forward to more."

"There are better rums with this percentage, but still quite ok. Vegetable, tropical fruit and alcohol on the nose, then olive, a chilli note and salty vinegar on the palate. One of the worse Swell de Spirits :-("

"Swell unveils its Mexican UFO after several months of teasing. The nose develops a very singular aromatic palette, giving an exotic side of candied fruit and vanilla, but above all very heavy notes on the vegetal, earthy, medicinal and phenolic side. There's a touch of salt, ferment and lots of esters and olives, but also a very present smokiness that gives the nose plenty of amplitude. It's original, fat and very promising. The olfactory impression is confirmed on the palate. There's a vegetal and spicy side that joins with the spices (paprika, pepper), meaty and smoky notes that give a beastly side to the palate, olive brine and always a hint of salt that graces the palate. The texture is fatty, heavy and full-bodied (and robust!). There's also a hint of tomato, fruity notes and a hint of mezcal. The alcohol is very well integrated for the degree. The finish is long, tannic, smoky, spicy, vegetal, earthy and medicinal. The profile is dry but not lacking in aroma. Mezcal, olive and esters round out the profile, which is both original and full-bodied. A very good start for the small Satvrnal distillery, whose older profiles will be to watch closely."

"Erstauftritt von los convidados und dieser High Ester Rum kommt überwiegend Floral daher mit ausgeprägter Oliven-Note. Tropische Frucht kommt im Geruch noch gut durch, wo der Rum für mich auch besonders überzeugt. Am Gaumen dann relativ viel Salz übergehend in ein Finish das mit einem leicht rauchigen Profil an manchen Mezcal denken lässt. Man darf gespannt sein was da noch aus Mexiko kommt. ein guter Anfang!"

"Very unusual but nevertheless exciting Mexican rum... Slightly smoky, salty, and fermented fruity. Reminiscent partly of mezcal, partly of rhum agricole with this combination of gooseberry, kiwi and meaty notes, as well as olive brine, pickled dried tomatoes and peppers. Strongly reminiscent of savanna creol Blanc. Would have expected something more like paranubes."

"Exciting rum! Olives, salt, esters, overripe fruit."

"I liked my first Mexican opus last May, but it took me 5 months to open the bottle... I'm not disappointed to find it back at home, Ester, salty, smoky, meaty, but with a lively hint of exotic fruit that enhances the whole! Esters, on the other hand, quickly hit the 😂"

"Nice white high ester. Varied notes, not so fruity but very interesting and a change from Jamaica. Aging trials are already underway. This gives us great prospects for the future!"

"Mein erster Rum aus Mexiko. Hatte keinerlei Erwartungen, aber das ist ein ordentlicher ungelagerter Rum. Am Anfang minimal sprittig. Aber auch viele pflanzliche Noten, etwas Olive, Ester, leichte Zimtnote und etwas fruchtig."

"Mein lieber Herr Gesangsverein, hier trifft El Zecho auf Don Promillo. Also in der Nase super speckig und rauchig, früchte sind im Hintergrund zu erahnen. Am Gaumen sind sie auch zu erschmecken, vielleicht irgendwas Zitrusiges oder tropisches? Keine Ahnung, wird sofort von einem Tsunami an echt medizinischen Geschmacksrichtungen eingeholt. Wow. Hansaplast-Pflaster. Jod. Lack. Das wird nicht Jedermanns Sache sein. Immerhin: Das ist echt mal was Neues"