MacNair's Exploration Jamaica Rum (70cl, 46%)

A Jamaican rum made from Clarendon Distillery pot-still distillates with high, medium and low ester levels, matured entirely in the cool climate of Speyside. Billy Walker selected the distillates for the Jamaica Unpeated variant. The first maturation lasted two and a half years at 86% in former rye whiskey, Rioja and new oak casks, using American and French oak. The rums were then vatted, reduced to 69% and matured further in a comparable cask selection. It is bottled at 46% without chill filtration or added colour, in a 70cl bottle with a green tube. The nose combines tropical and orchard fruits with vanilla, light sugar syrup, strawberry coulis and butter caramel. The palate brings honey and pineapple with plantain and dried banana chips, plus grapefruit and cinnamon. The finish leaves fine vanilla and a zesty orange note.