Review #: 544
Description: Raising Glasses Whistler: 2008 Venezuela
Spirit: Rum
Background:
This is a 14 year Venezuelan, molasses based rum bottled by the American IB Raising Glasses. The distillery is not disclosed, but likely to be from Corporacion Alcoholes del Caribe, much like XXX/2 but with a bit more age. Similarly, it is bottled at cask strength and without additives. 12 years of the aging were done in Venezuela with the final 2 coming in Europe. Raising Glasses bottles it in 375ml bottles and 5% of profits are donated to Venezuela’s South American Initiative to aid orphaned children and homeless animals so that’s awesome.
Full disclosure, this sample was provided to me by a friend with connections to Raising Glasses (not employed by them though). The samples were provided to get my honest feedback. My thoughts are my own.
Distillery – Undisclosed
Bottler – Raising Glasses
Brand – Raising Glasses
Selection – N/A
ABV – 62.1%
Age – 14 Years
Nose – Mocha latte, butter pecan, gooey caramel, s’mores, guava, peach
Taste – Toasted marshmallow, white grape juice, liquid caramel
Finish – Oak really comes in with some spice and touch of bitterness, dark cocoa and dry tobacco
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? $45 for 375ml is extremely reasonable. I definitely would.
Thoughts: Comparing it to XXX/2, the oak is definitely more apparent and the rich sweetness definitely takes a step back because of it. But make no mistake, this is still very rich and dense and complex. Quite enjoyable and definitely wish I had a bit more to dive deeper into it as it felt like a pour that continues to develop the more you taste it.