English Harbour is a top-quality molasses-based rum distilled by the Antigua Distillery and named after the town on the island briefly inhabited by our own Horatio Nelson during the 18th century.
Distilled in 1981 and bottled in September 2006 – this is the oldest rum from the Antigua distillery. It was matured in used Jack Daniels barrels. About two pounds of oak chips are added to each barrel to provide more colour and flavour. Only 600 bottles are released each year.
English Harbour 25 yo 1981 (40%, OB 2006)
English Harbour 25 yo 1981 (40%, OB 2006)Nose: complex nose, very integrated with lots of tiny aromas. Cake, pencil shavings, honey and milk chocolate. Almonds. Clove and vanilla. Brown sugar and cinnamon. Blackcurrants and dried figs. Subtle smoky notes.
Mouth: very thick and very smooth at the same time, with dried fruits (banana, apricot, raisins), caramelized nuts and honey. Lots of toffee. Very subtle herbal notes. Hints of toasted oak. Fades on Mexican chocolate.
Finish: medium long, toasty, still pretty sweet, with more oak now and eventually dry hints of cinnamon bark and tobacco.
A great rum. I love its subtlety and layered structure. Excellent balance of sweetness and spiciness too. On the other hand it’s really expensive (around € 185) – too much for me in terms of value for money.