94 THE NAVIGATOR | EXPRESSION BOUGAINVILLE 10 YO 2013 Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Located in what some might refer to as the middle of the island, Oxenham Distillery with its small but impressive copper distillation setup, showcases savoir-faire and innovation producing rum based on both molasses and sugarcane juice. At times even experimental with local grown sugarcane varietals grown specifically for use in some of their recent rum production. Interesting times ahead for this family owned and run rum distillery. This single cask #35 has been meticulously selected by Navigate World Whisky directly in the aging stores of South Africa. A barrel that amongst many other fine sherry butts and other finishes stood out amongst its peers as an exemplary and sublime cask. Just 480 little 500ml bottles have been bottled for the South African market. Nose: Big chocolate toffee immediately on the nose. Going into fudge, caramel dip, dolce de leche, and then the rum. Molasses, lots of them but also fruity and complex. It noses like a quality pot still this rum. Slightly herby and a little vegetal. Caramel chip vanilla biscuits. Nutty crunch and buttermilk rusks. A revisit reveals pencil shavings and creamy vanilla ice cream. Palate: On the palate sugarcane, a little fizz, some lime, dates, dried prunes, sherry butts. Lots of Sherry but lots of rich rum too… There’s some mastery here. Humidity, feels like it’s still breathing. More dried fruits, a touch of spice, notes of dark chocolate and freshly ground coffee. Finish: A Christmas warming finish, wood spices, herbs and sticky sweetness. Mauritius, Molasses Rum, 50%, 500ml Single Cask #35, Pedro Ximénez sherry cask Bottled for The Navigator 2023/24 WATCH Oxenham Distillery
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