Velier The Vieux Labbé (20th Anniversary)

"Intensely tart fruit, wood, spices. I like it, independent profile. Still somewhat incisive on the finish. Beautiful structure. Aromatic-intense to demanding, but quite appealing - has rightly found its fans."

"I was very curious when it was released. It was impossible for me to get hold of a bottle without paying a ridiculous price. In time, the Hypetrain arrived at the station and I was able to get my hands on a sample. Very intense, on the dark side of fruity. A deep fruity woodiness With strong coffee notes. It becomes drier and tastier with every sip."

"This is a nicely balanced Labbé and I think the price is pretty good. Well balanced on the nose and intense and complex on the palate. It did need to rest for a good while before all flavours were released. Lightly fruity and I like the nutty touch and the licorice on the finish. The empty glass was really nice after a few hours 😊"

"An exceptional rum... burnt cookie dough on the nose, heavy sweet/sour fruits, wood, vanilla and licorice. On the palate, almost identical aromas plus licorice and roasted nuts. The alcohol is very well integrated. Something slightly dirty also appears on the finish This is a challenging rum and not necessarily suitable for beginners. I like it"

"Beautiful, intense and old rhum from Berling S.A., the other part of the Barbancourt family. Made from sugar cane juice/syrup but not actually a clairin, but a rhum. Nose: intense, concentrated, aromatic. Spicy, woody and fruity. Fine spicy wood aromas of sandalwood and cherry dominate. Dark, tart fruits such as blackcurrant and sour cherry come together with passion fruit, dried apricot and some blood orange. It is also creamy with vanilla, toffee and brioche as well as chocolate. It also has a light, malty smoky note. Very round and delicious. 9.1 Palate: clearly on the spicy and woody side here. Salty-bitter-peppery at the beginning, but immediately with a twist towards passion fruit and blackcurrant. Nutmeg and some caraway together with roasted aromas. Pecan and mocha. All very powerful without being unpleasant. The more than 20 years of tropical maturation are very noticeable in the woody aromas. I still like it very much. 8.7"

"Colore scuro e intenso, nel bicchiere è prima molto chiuso poi profumi di legno e frutta. Al gusto inizia pungente poi frutta e legno, anche liquirizia. Gusto intenso che si apre non subito alcool ben integrato, un buon rum."

"Very nice, deep color.In the nose viiieeel oak, licorice, cookie dough and earthy. Polish and solvent. Out the back a touch of dried fruit and cherry. Very powerful, bulky and dusty dry. Very good.In the mouth then just wood and spice.Nice finish, cookie dough, licorice and dried fruit.A few drops of water make it a bit creamier.Certainly not a lovely palate pleaser. 20 years of tropical aging make their presence felt.The woodiness is on the edge, especially in the mouth. I like it very much though."

"On the nose initially quite restrained. After some standing time then come old barrel and earthy notes, plus mace, mocha, fig, caramel and plum. On the palate, on the other hand, immediately present and intense with spices, barrel and an interesting interplay between some direction ginger spiciness and date, plus a very long, toasty finish. A class rum whose charm does not reveal itself immediately!"

"Heavy caliber. Too intense for me today. Camomile tea notes and old wood."

"Really nice, complex and full-bodied Haiti single cask. Impressive how little the wood comes through despite 21 years. Nice combination of blackberry, Medjoul dates, vanilla, tobacco, roasted nuts and dried apricot. Very harmonious and does not touch at any point."

"Very disappointed!The wood overpowers everything!A pronounced bitterness throughout the tasting!I will give it a second chance to see if the first impression was wrong!"

"Hatte nicht viel erwartet von dieser Abfüllung, weil es nicht unbedingt meine Lieblingsrichtung ist. Aber die Reife im Fass hat dieser Abfüllung ganz gut getan. Vielleicht sollte ich in Zukunft diesem Stil ein wenig mehr Aufmerksamkeit schenken"

"Der Abfüllung merkt man sein Alter und die tropische Reifung an. Ordentlich Holz, aber ohne zu bitter zu sein. Fruchtnoten, Gewürze, nussig und etwas Süßholzwurzel. Der Alkohol könnte besser integriert sein."

"Die Nase gibt hier eine klare Richtung vor, die am Gaumen fortgesetzt wird. Deutliches Alter ohne Bitter zu sein. Viel Vanille, Nüsse, Holz und Kaffee. Alkohol könnte besser eingebunden sein. trotzdem Toller Rum, wer davon ne Flasche zum Release Preis ergattern konnte kann sich glücklich schätzen."

"Wow, very beeeeeery. Currants. After tasting it again, I stick to my first impression, very great fruity aromas reminiscent of a compote of berries. It is also very complex with wood and a cookie sweetness. A great bottling,"