The concept behind these two Guyana Cats by Precious Liquors relies on two distinct styles of Demerara rums. White Cat is the lighter style from Diamond distillery, higher in alcohol but mostly offering soft flavours. On the other hand we have Black Cat, a heavy style of Demerara rum. This particular rum was distilled with the Versailles still during the last year of operation of Enmore distillery.
Diamond 27 yo 1996 ‘White Cat’ (53,3%, Precious Liquors 2023, cask #3, 167 btl.)
Nose: a mild wood influence at first, with some vanilla and white pepper, along with some citrus oil and gentle fruity notes like apricots and stewed apples. Some dried grasses and hints of leather in the background, as well as herbal tea. Quite a light and heady style, although the ABV makes it quite punchy too.
Mouth: quite smooth and narrow, similar to commercial expressions of Guyana rum, albeit at a higher strength. Big hints of vanilla, with honeyed notes and brown sugar. Cinnamon and pepper. Then orange liqueur before it gets a little more funky with some oily but also spirity notes. Never really estery, mind you.
Finish: medium length, still slightly narrow. Vague wood spices with caramel sweetness.
This is probably a bit more on the commercial side, in my opinion, although you don’t really get official El Dorado of this age and strength. Perhaps a little underwhelming as an individual independent bottling, but I’m sure it serves as a perfect baseline for the next one. Available from Precious Drops.
Just a quick history of Guyana rum: in the 1970s only three distilleries remained (from over 300 at one point): Diamond, Enmore and Uitvlugt. Diamond and Uitvlugt merged in 1983, acquiring various stills. The Versailles still was moved from the Versailles Estate to Enmore in 1977. However Enmore closed in 1993, so the still was moved to Uitvlugt. Then in 2000 Uitvlugt closed and the still ended up at Diamond distillery – now the last remaining estate in Guyana.
Enmore 29 yo 1994 REV ‘Black Cat’ (49,2%, Precious Liquors 2023, cask #65, 205 btl.)
Nose: much more like it. A heavy style with plenty of dark plums, anise and liquorice, as well as tobacco notes. A lot of resinous notes and tar. Then smoky cigar boxes, black tea, old leather and medicinal notes like camphor. Hints of coffee beans too.
Mouth: very dark and intense flavours again. Coffee beans and dark chocolate, as well as dark brewed herbal tea. Some rubbery notes. Then hints of bitters, more leather and tar. Mint, a touch of ammonia and maybe one salted anchovy. Nicely medicinal.
Finish: long, mentholated, with oolong tea, black pepper, salty liquorice and flashes of citrus oils.
As expected, pretty much the opposite of the white cat. A herbal elixir, dark and brooding, with excellent complexity. Score: 91/100