CigarsLover Magazine Awards Issue

SPIRITS RUM AWARDS
8
9
Nine Leaves
Almost Spring
Opthimus
25 Whisky Finish
COUNTRY
Japan
ABV - PROOF
48% - 96
PRICE
$ 90 - € 95
COUNTRY
Dominican Rep.
ABV - PROOF
43% - 86
PRICE
$ 100 - € 85
WINEY AND CLEAN.
Made from Muscovado brown sugar (called Kokuto in
Japan), a pure unrefined cane sugar, it’s distilled twice in
pot-stills and then aged for a year in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon
casks of the Californian Wente Vineyard among the
mountains of Shiga Prefecture.
This rum is a triumph of Japanese precision in wisely weighting
the influence of ex-wine casks. It shows a nose of
delicate fresh berries and youthful winey scents. The sip is
fresh and joyful, more akin to a single malt than a rum, with
peppery hints, fragrant biscuits, and edible flowers.
LUSCIOUS AND RICH.
Oliver & Oliver presents a special finish of a few months in
Single Malt Whisky casks for their classic blend of column
distilled ron from sugar-rich molasses solera-aged in bourbon
casks for 25 years.
It appears viscous and thick just as the traditional Opthimus,
with decadent notes of maple syrup, plum jam, milk
chocolate, and licorice. Then it develops a drier and more
elegant character of vanilla, cinnamon, and warm spices
that show the mark of the peculiar sing malt finish. It’s a remarkable
variation for this currently classic Dominican ron.
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92 #5-2022 CigarsLover Magazine