NV TBRC: Issan Rum (Thailand), Batch 1 (40%)

Surely a must-try for rum lovers: sugarcane is native to Thailand, so it’s no surprise the country makes some excellent rums. This Issan bottling is made with one variety of red sugarcane, harvested in 2014/15. The sugarcane was hand-peeled, crushed and then fermented for three days. Pot-distilled in 2015, the rum spent 35 months in stainless steel – preserving the purity of flavour – before being bottled in 2018. It is fresh, vibrant, and aromatic, the Issan nose opens with a riot of green notes: herbaceous rocket leaf, cut grass, and olives, complemented by suggestions of hedgerow fruits. The palate builds on this complexity, with vanilla and salted caramel developing the sweeter theme, while sweetcorn and asparagus evolve the vegetal narrative, all within a lively mouthfeel. A return to blackberry and raspberry, the finish showcases a more floral side to this incredibly complex rum.