Rum-Bar by Worthy Park Silver Overproof - 70cl

Product Information

Over the past couple of years Independent bottlers have been releasing quite a lot of rums from Worthy Park. In the main these have been Single Barrel bottlings that were mainly aged in a European climate. They were sold young by Worthy Park. In the glass Worthy Park Single Estate Reserve is a vibrant golden to dark brown with a nice yellow/orange hue.

Worthy Park Single Estate Reserve rum is very much a Jamaican rum but it really puts its own stamp on what Jamaican rum can be. This is full flavoured yet easy to drink. It will appeal I believe to both newbies to Jamaican rum and “old timers” like myself. On the finish, the fruit lingers on the tongue for a long time, the sugar cane lingers on it a bit longer. I like the presentation and I think it is the kind of thing which will catch the eye of serious rum drinkers and the more casual consumer. It looks “Premium”. (I will confess at this stage that I was asked by Zan – as I’m sure others were on ideas for the presentation – I was particularly clear on the bottle shape and strong branding). At 45% the rum is quite “strong” for a commercial release – and the nose reflects the extra ABV. You can smell the rum without having to delve to much into the glass. It’s very “typical” of a Worthy Park release and shouldn’t surprise anyone who has tried any of the Independent bottlings or Worthy Park’s own Rum Bar Gold. It is, however a lot more refined than their Rum Bar Overproof.The rums in the blend are aged in once used ex-Bourbon barrels and have been aged between 6 and 10 years. They have noted on the rear label that this is “Pure Single Rum” under the Gargano Classification. In the nose ugly and pungent. Rotten fruit soaked in paint stripper is the first impression. Wait - wait - wait - and everything changes. You dive in and under the surface opens a paradise of scents. Grassy and floral scents mingle with all sorts of tropical fruits, pineapple, banana, papaya, vanilla and more tart directions like tobacco, leather and a drop of olive oil.

Which may make some of you think that this White Overproof may be refined and slightly lighter on flavour/funk. I’ve deliberately delayed reviewing this rum as I have been comparing and contrasting it to Wray and Nephew but also a Clairin from Haiti. Worthy Park Single Estate Reserve. I’ve been waiting quite a while for this one. I’m a big fan of Worthy Park’s Rum-Bar range. Which include a White Overproof, a Gold rum and a very tasty Rum Cream. The “sweet” does not come from added sugar as sugar addition is not permitted according to the Jamaican Rum Standard.The first sip of the rum is quite spicy. You get a lot of the interaction with the bourbon barrel. Notes of oak and vanilla along with some slightly hot ginger. Further sips reveal more of the sweeter notes – toffee, milk chocolate and a less spicy ginger sit nicely alongside vanilla and hints of coconut and pineapple. The mid palate is quite gentle and makes for a very easy sip. Further nosing reveals banana and coconut. The nose is more along the lines of an aged Appleton Estate rum than a Hampden, Monymusk or Long Pond. It’s not aggressive or overly funky. It is more refined and softer than those heavier Jamaicans.

Worthy Park Single Estate Reserve is Worthy Park’s first step into the Premium rum market. It is a highly competitive market but the brand is getting talked about more and more in rum circles and it really does offer an alternative to Appleton Estate and Hampden rums. Worthy Park has its very own identity.

2005

I could (and might well in the future) give this rum a 5 star rating but for now I’ll keep the bar high and see if they can exceed themselves beyond this rum…..