Review #: 358
Description: Habitation Velier Privateer 2017
Spirit: Rum
Background: This is a 100% pot still, molasses rum from Privateer. This rum is significant because it is the first American Rum bottled by Habitation Velier for their line. They are a well respected independent bottler around the world, so to bring on the American Craft producer to do a special batch for international release, shows how legitimate their rum is and gets their name out beyond the US. This is a batch of 8 casks from 2016 and 2017 all from New American oak. It was aged in Ipswich, MA and bottled at cask strength. Let’s dive in.
Distillery – Privateer
Bottler – Habitation Velier
Brand – Habitation Velier
Selection – N/A
ABV – 56.9%
Age – 3 Years
Nose – Molasses, banana pudding, almonds, creme brulee, oak, cinnamon stick, fig
Taste – Brown sugar, nougat, milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, dark cherry
Finish – Dark chocolate, raisins, sharp oak, nutmeg, vanilla bean, a nice touch of funkiness enveloped in it
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? No, only because the HV bottle carries a premium and I think they have single barrels out there that showcase similar characteristics.
Thoughts: I was a little expecting to be bored with this release. The safe thing to do when you introduce yourself to the world is release something that is high quality, but will appeal to a wide range of palates. This is definitely heavy with sweetness from the molasses, but the oak is present but balanced. The finish though is what really elevates this for me as the oak and distillate take it to the next level and then just a bit of funkiness show up that just makes it a great rum experience. A great ambassador rum.