Wu Dram Clan was responsible for two rums recently: a Saint Lucia 2009 some time ago and a TDL 2003 which was released a few days ago.
T.D.L. 22 yo 2003 (55,2%, Wu Dram Clan 2025, bourbon barrel, 242 btl.)
Nose: clementines on syrup, sweet pears, blackcurrants and whiffs of guava as well. Round, but also showing a little rubber and varnish. Then there’s also a different side that reminds us of grain whisky, bringing vanilla and varnished oak with a caramel edge. The typical minty / mentholated freshness of TDL as well.
Mouth: rather creamy and fruity again. Mango notes, along with kiwi and plenty of passion fruit syrup. Flashes of pink grapefruit, IPA style. That said, there’s also a heavy dose of coconut and vanilla which brings back this echo of grain whisky and seems to overtake some of the fruits. Then some toasted wood, bold baking spice and caramel, along with fruit tea, liquorice and a herbaceous / minty quality towards the end.
Finish: quite long, drier, with more of this peppery and woody side, along with mint and tobacco.
We’ve had very good TDL 2003 and this is another great example. It doesn’t offer the full tropical fireworks we’re so fond of, but the “grainy” element also works well in this case.
Then onto the St. Lucia. We had a 2005 for GotA and RumX not long ago. Usually they make combinations of their different (pot + column) stills, but this rum is made exclusively in the slow and inefficient Vendôme pot still, which usually leads to complex spirits.
St. Lucia 14 yo 2009 ‘Master’s Selection’ (58,3%, OB ‘Chairman’s Reserve’ for Wu Dram Clan 2024, bourbon barrel #139112009, 166 btl.)
Nose: much more ‘in your face’, with plenty of solventy notes, green olive tapenade, liquorice, orange cake and biscuits. All this against a backdrop of caramel and rich notes of (exotic) wood char. A light tarry note and leather in the distance, along with cinnamon and hints of cherries. Wood glue and hints of engine oil after a while.
Mouth: wow, quite fierce, with intense woody notes. Also surprisingly floral, almost perfumed even, which is slightly difficult to me. Lots of liquorice notes, pepper and ginger, toasted and charred wood, tobacco, peppermint and gingerbread. Then a funky combination of caramel, black sesame, drops of herbal liqueur and green olives appears. Quite generous on the ethanol as well, I must add.
Finish: long, on black tea, liquorice, overripe banana, varnish and coffee with salt.
A great nose, which takes no prisoners. On the palate it displays the same power and lots of complexities. Only the perfumed woody edge feels a bit quirky at times. Pretty extreme rum. Score: 89/100