It’s always exciting to find unique or rare demerara rums, especially when I come across one with the Skeldon SWR marque. This one comes from @1423.dk’s Single Barrel Selection (S.B.S) range, a single cask selected by @jollejoshua for @milhade_vins_et_spi, distilled in 1997 and bottled in December 2021 at 48.4% abv with an outturn of 213 bottles.

Over the past year, we have seen a couple of Skeldons from the 2001 vintage being released by various independent bottlers. S.B.S themselves are no strangers to it, having already bottled three from that same vintage. What makes this one special is that it is thus far the only Skeldon released from the year of 1997, meaning it is the only one to be distilled and bottled from the Uitvlugt distillery since Velier’s two legendary 73 and 78 bottlings.

On the nose, the Skeldon is rich, warm, very inviting and filled with smooth milk chocolates, toasted chestnuts, as well as varnish. Some other interesting notes also came to my mind, such as dried monk fruits and boiled watercress. And as it opens up it reveals much sweeter, lighter notes of marzipan, sarsaparilla, and fresh eucalyptus.

On the palate, its maturity is undeniable as its woodiness comes straight to the fore, not overpowering but just enough to remind you that this has spent a respectable time in its cask, slight tannins, and a nip of sulphur. The dried monk fruits are once again present, with a side of caramel and dried orange peel. The finish is medium in length, with maple syrup being the dominant note here, accompanied with chestnuts, dark chocolates, and a bit of funky iodine to end.

The Skeldon probably wouldn’t speak to those who do not particularly appreciate the woodiness and maturity found in some older rums, but I personally found it rather enjoyable, well-balanced, and as always, a unique demerara is a keeper for me.

Image Courtesy of @weixiang_liu

Your occasional rum addict!

@weixiang_liu