T.D.L Rumclub Private Selection Ed. 52

 At a first tasting, I found the rum to be extremely successful, not only for a February 2003 distillate, but also as a T.D.L overall. Initially, also on the nose, a pleasant, light sweetness, it develops again clearly with longer standing time, it becomes more and more palatable with recognizable T.D.L DNA with perfectly integrated alcohol. Tops the comparable T.D.L from the Wu Dram Clan (RX23227) and scratches the 90-point mark for me.

 A top representative of the 2003 TDLs, but does not reach the top, the Spirit Gallery 2003 TDL. Round, complex and balanced. Tropical fruit and cherry with a pleasant sweetness. Leather and black tea are subtly perceptible.

 Spirits Museum Tasting 29th of March 2025. A beautiful, fruity nose with tropical fruit, berries and black cherry. A hint of dried herbs and a very light mechanical workshop add complexity. On the palate, there's a hint of marzipan and the fruit is still there, black cherry and red berries. The finish is long, balanced and all the aromas diminish in concert. A very fine, complex and delicious rum.

 A really pleasant and light sweetness on the nose and palate, paired with fruit and a little wood. A great complexity that is not overwhelming. You can tell it's a TDL, but it doesn't have those blatant minty notes. It's really very subtle. Which makes the rum even more approachable. It's really pleasant to sip. In my opinion, the alcohol is well integrated and doesn't stand out.

 In some places I felt reminded of a 1998 Caroni from Bellamy, only here I'm wavering between cherry and raisin. Where with many other T.D.L.'s you feel like you've been cut through the dirt, here you're first served a strong fruit nose, but woody notes are also present in the nose. In the complex taste, which develops over time, the fruity notes alternate with a little wood and an espresso in between. I also sense a slightly earthy note. It is only in the finish that a little dirt appears, the typical scratching of sand that you get with so many rums from Trinidad. There is also a nice mint note that lingers on the palate.

 In the test WDC, RC Edt.52, Hunter Laing and the one from Spirit Gallery. The differences are clearly recognizable, the WDC and RC are more on the Spanish chocolate side, whereas the SG and HL are the absolute minty alcohol bombs. There's a little too much mint in both for me, which overpowers almost everything. Sorry, it's a little too much for me. But it's a matter of taste, unfortunately not mine. Otherwise they are all good bottlings, although I would put the WDC and RC more in the easy sipping category.

 Intense aromas of candied fruit unfold on the nose, accompanied by fine wood and vanilla. On the palate, the rum is full-bodied and intense from the start, with candied fruit and a hint of mint. Delicate leather and dark chocolate notes reveal themselves as it progresses. The alcohol is perfectly integrated. Beautiful thing

 T.D.L with pleasant mint. Alcohol perfectly integrated and an enchanting sweetness on the tongue and palate. Absolutely successful bottling.

 Ein toller TDL. Und der Beweis, dass auch das Februar Batch Spitze sein kann. Schöne Süße und leichte Minzanklänge. Wird mit langer Standzeit extrem lecker. Im Mund spiegelt sich die Nase wieder. Schönes Spiel zwischen Süße, Früchten, Holzeinfluss und ganz dezente Minze. Super Abfüllung!

 Für mich eher spanisch, eher unspektakulär, eher egal. Auch im Abgang eher kurz. Sorry, der holt mich gerade überhaupt nicht ab, vor allem im Vergleich zu anderen TDL 2003 wie dem CDI für Premium Spirits.

 In der Nase schon klassisch Februar 2003 Batch. Viel Süße mit Karamell und Vanille. Aber auch Kräuter und Frucht. Am Gaumen öffnet der RC sich aber viel schöner als der WDC und zeigt eine höhere Komplexität mit Minze, Kirsche und kandierten Früchten. Gefällt mir hier sehr gut. Ähnlich wie der Tamosi. Eine gute Abfüllung.

 🥃 22 years of patience in a glass - Trinidad 2003 🇹🇹 💥 53.4% Vol., Brut de fût Sometimes you hold a bottle in your hand and you know right away: this one is special. An experience for true rum lovers. Those who appreciate these spirits know: patience pays off. This RumClub Private Selection - Edition 52 is a perfect example. Distilled in 2003, aged for 13 years under the tropical sun 🌞 then another 9 years in Europe - 22 years of pure evolution. 🔥 In the glass: deep copper color, oily, dense. 👃 On the nose: Oak, a touch of mint. 👅 On the palate: Leather, dark chocolate, vanilla candy - powerful but elegant. ⏳ Finish: Endless, warm and perfectly balanced.

 Smells good, tastes better.

 Finally the RumClub Edition 52 from Trinidad in a glass. Very pleasant fruity notes with a hint of wood on the nose. On the palate again slightly woody and above all beautiful Trinidad TDL mint notes are present. The alcohol is very well balanced, which makes this rum a nice daily sipper!