Wu Dram Clan T.D.L Trinidad Rum 2003

Edit: guter Begleiter zur Zigarre, nach oben korrigiert Im Test WDC, RC(Edt.52?), Hunter Laing und der von Spirit Gallery. Die Unterschiede sind klar erkennbar, der WDC und RC sind eher auf der spanischen Schokoladen Seite, wobei der SG und HL die absoluten Minzmentholbomben sind. Mir ist es etwas zu viel Minze bei beiden, die fast alles überlagert. Sorry ist mir ein wenig too much. Aber ist eben Geschmackssache, meiner leider nicht. Ansonsten sind alles gute Abfüllungen wobei ich den WDC und RC eher auf der easy Sipping Kategorie ein ordnen würde.

Once again my big TDL crosstasting. The Nobilis TDL 2003, the Kill Devil 13 yo 2003, the Tamosi 2003, the first TWJ 2003 19yo and the new WDC 22yo. We know that the Nobilis, Kill Devil and WDC are from 02/2003. The exact batch of the others is unclear. Unfortunately, one of the CDIs from April 2003 is missing today - I assume that the TWJ is from April. On the nose, the TWJ forms one side of the spectrum: a full load of fresh mint, juicy peach, some mango, minimal tea in the background. The Kill Devil forms the other side, reminiscent of OR&S, nougat and caramel, heavy and sweet. The Nobilis is also on the Spanish side, but more yellow-fruity, dried mango, peach and subtle mint. Very similar to the Tamosi, but more expressive, fruitier and less smoky. Like the other three, the WDC is far removed from the TWJ. More on the restrained Spanish side. Not the nougatiness of the Kill Devil, but the yellow dried fruit, some caramel and vanilla but also some mint in the background. It is hardly distinguishable from the Nobilis, but more restrained, with a few roasted almonds. The nose of the WDC does not really open up - perhaps long oxidation helps here. The game is repeated in the mouth. In the TWJ, the mint and juicy peach shine, in the Kill Devil there are nuts and dried fruit. The WDC, which was so similar to the Nobilis on the nose, shines here with softer, more elegant aromas and the best alcohol integration. In the finish, the typical TDL peach iced tea lingers in the mouth for a long time. Mint is hardly recognizable here, especially not in the intense freshness of the TWJ. The Nobilis is the only other rum in the group that has a clear menthol note in the finish. The finishes of all the rums are very nice, as there is no excessive bitterness and the fruit flavors remain for a long time, even in the Kill Devil. I like the TWJ best in the rating, the Kill Devil falls down. WDC, Tamosi and WDC are largely on a par, with a slight advantage for the Tamosi. All very tasty, but a far cry from the top class of the vintage, the CDIs for 1802, Caksus or Premium Spirits.

Not a challenging rum, pleasant to drink. Alcohol very well integrated. Starting rather roasty on the nose, vanilla (pudding) dominates on the palate. In the finish, I find dry coffee as a base and - after a longer period of time - finally a brief flash of mint. Blindly and without a long time to breathe, I would have given this rum the Spanish style. But it's well worth letting it rest for a while, as it becomes more and more palatable over time. Yes, it's fun, well rounded, even if it has little in common with the heavyweights of the 2003 April TDL style. You can see what a difference two months of distillation can make ... 😉

I was very excited about the tasting. The TDL was allowed to rest in the glass for 1.5-2 hours. Relatively restrained mint on the nose, with fruity aromas (peach), some caramel and tea. This is reflected exactly the same on the palate. I find the finish relatively short. Edit: Tasted again in comparison with the Ricci and the CDI Premium Spirits. Unfortunately, the WDC is completely shaved by its competitors and comes across more like a Spaniard than a TDL in direct comparison.

Not overly minty. Rather light menthol over caramel, wood, tobacco and dried fruit. A nice note of menthol snuff on the palate (in a good way). I quite enjoyed it. Thanks Zabo for the dram in the sample swap.

For me, the rum falls somewhere between the Tamosi 2000 and 2003 in today's initial assessment. The bottom line is that this is a very good TDL. Still restrained on the nose, typical TDL markers emerge on the palate and the mint also stands out clearly.

Rhum club de Lille session 1 : on termine par ce beau Wu Dram Clan 22 ans qui plaît fortement aux amateurs, mais un peu moins aux plus aguerris. Menthol, péché, léger boisé se croisent, c’est facile à boire; mais ça ne décolle pas, dommage il manque un petit quelque chose pour en faire une cuvée d’exception.

A direct comparison with the Swell on Tour No. 6 Salon du Rhum. In addition to the color of the rum, there are also clear differences in the aromas. The WDC is more on the caramel side and is reminiscent of a Spanish style. After a while, however, mint flavors emerge, albeit in a reduced form. Accompanied by sweetish raisins. Overall, it is not as complex as the Swell, although it is certainly successful. It remains in second place.

Great TDL, initially caramelized freshness with light mint flows into the nose, which unfortunately evaporates after a few minutes in the glass. Very pleasant to drink. Lots of sweetness, tobacco and light bitter notes. The finish is unfortunately thin and short. A super sipper. PVL is a little too high.

Für mich volle Breitseite Gummifrösche. Relativ süss, nicht sehr minzig mMn. Passionsfrucht, gelbe Früchte, etwas Tabak und Schwarztee. Im Abgang etwas Pfirsich. Alkohol sehr gut eingebunden und gute Trinkstärke. Insgesamt ein leckerer Rum, absolut gefällig. Einzig sind mir die dreckigen Komponenten im Vergleich zu anderen des Jahrgangs etwas zu wenig.

Surprisingly disappointing for me. Hardly any mint present, somewhat alcoholic, column, at the same time it seems clearly diluted. Fortunately, I still have an open bottle of the samaroli TDL for comparison: although this is not the best TDL 2003, it is much better than the WU dram, more intense, classic mint.

Very nice new 2003 TDL from Wu Dram Clan. The nose is dominated by fruit bread, raisins and caramel and the mint remains rather in the background... On the palate, on the other hand, the mint is recognizable, although not quite as prominent as in other bottlings of the 2003 vintage. This is joined by candied peach, strongly brewed iced tea, caramelized and roasted pecan nuts, vanilla pulp and Virginia tobacco... In the finish there are tannins reminiscent of black tea, also pleasantly dry and only slightly minty, but the finish is also relatively short, hence slight deductions. Overall, definitely a really successful bottling, although for me personally a little too caramelly (Spanish) and too short on the finish, so not yet a 9+. Certainly does very well in the Old Cuban!

An der Nase eher verhalten. Am Gaumen sehr schön rund. Eher wenig Minze, dafür vergleichsweise viel Vanille. Wie erwartet geht diese Abfüllung aus Februar 2003 eher in Richtung spanischer Stil. Für mich als Fan der eher krautigen TDL daher nicht ganz mein Beuteschema, ich muss WDC aber zugestehen, hier ein gutes Fass ausgesucht zu haben. Der Alkohol ist gut eingebunden und im Gesamteindruck ist das schon ein schönes rundes Teil. Im direkten Vergleich hat der Tamosi TDL 2003 dennoch für mich etwas die Nase vorn.

In direct comparison with the current Valinch & Mallet, which is almost the same age and also has quite a few years of tropical experience. The WDC is rounder than the V&M, which is neither negative nor positive...both top and I am very excited about the upcoming candidate of the whisky jury. Lots of menthol here, alcohol perfectly integrated. Peach compote. Relatively little wood, which becomes more intense with a few drops of water (sorry, old whisky habit). A bit of tobacco and leather, just as expected and desired. Very tasty and easy to drink. Cheers

Beim Öffnen musste ich zuerst an Schokolade denken aber dann habe ich ihm erst einmal etwas Luft zum Atmen eingeräumt. Nase ist sehr angenehm, fruchtig, leichte Süße aber auch Holz und etwas röstig. Im Mund dann zuerst sehr mild, wuchtig würzig mit einem minzig kräuterigem Abgang. Ein schöner gut ausbalancierter TDL mit deutlichen aber im Vergleich eher zurückhaltender Minznoten. Alkohol gut eingebunden Abgang fast ein bisschen zu kurz. Gefällt mir gut aber in der Preiskategorie gibt’s ne Menge Alternativen.