Velier Releases 3rd Edition Of R.A.S.C With 1954 Jamaica Rum From British Royal Navy

The Navy and rums have long kept a shared history, in particular with the practice of the Daily Tot, a ration of rum that was given to those on deck each day, often comprising of a blend of rums from the once English territories. Whilst the ritual is no longer practiced, remnants of the British Navy's rum stocks have been recovered by some of the world's foremost collectors, some of which have since been bottled and released - the Velier R.A.S.C. is one such well known example.

For the third release of the Velier R.A.S.C., "Distilled in 1954, this expression comes from the precious bottled stocks of the British Royal Navy, whose daily ration tradition came to an end in 1970. It captivates with remarkable depth and a surprising sense of freshness despite its great age. It opens with subtle petrol notes, anchoring it in the purest tradition of historic Jamaican rums. Its aroma and flavour palette then reveals scents of rancio, dried fruit, mocha, and fine leather reminiscent of very old sherries. A true journey through time of exceptional concentration, witnessing a bygone era."

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep orange copper.

Aroma: Fine, complex. On the initial nose, aromas of varnish, heated asphalt, wood filler, walnut stain, roasted mango, and leather sit alongside oxidative scents of cherry in eau-de-vie and very old Pedro Ximenez sherry. With aeration, aromas of dried fruit (fig, date, walnut), burnt rubber, 100% chocolate, molasses, and artichoke bottom deeply permeate the atmosphere.

Taste: Smooth, full-bodied. Picking up where the tasting left off, the flavour palette first offers us artichoke bottoms to savor. Then, evolving toward more liqueur-like registers, it is marked by flavours of dried currant, carrot cake, and marmalade. Oriental in style, the very end of the palate is covered in aromas of rose petals and patchouli.

Finish: Concentrated, velvety. Rooty (ginseng), heady (iris concrete, geranium), tertiary (truffle, mocha), and at the same time fruity (blood orange) and indulgent (slightly burnt apricot tart), it restores pure molasses flavours over time. A harmonious blend of Jamaican and Andalusian aromas, the retro-olfaction and empty glass are impressively powerful and deep.

The Velier R.A.S.C. 1954 Jamaica is said to be a pure single rum, and is bottled at 53.9% ABV, with just 85 bottles to be released.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team