St. Nicholas Abbey Rare Single Cask Ltd Reserve 18-Year

First point, this is the best, smoothest rum I have tried coming out of Barbados. It is incredible! The aging and maturity gives it a huge edge over the 5 & 12 year old expressions. Not even close. Any harshness has been aged away and what’s left is a smooth sweet rum that can hardly be believed. So close to a ten that I may upgrade my rating, depending on my mood after 2-3 pours. I ordered and received my back up bottle and will plan for another as I can see myself over indulging on this heavenly elixir. Somehow this is sweet without being sugary. Please my fellow Rummies, get yourself a bottle and either back this review up, or tell me I’m full of shit. To date, this IS my favorite rum in the universe! ( After sampling some other expressions, I realize this is a true 10. Simply amazing.)

Even the smallest drop on your tongue will bring pleasure. A smooth and very richly flavored rum with subtle hints and goes down your throat like if it was lubricated by wd40. Excellent.

I cannot say more than has already been posted here. This is without a doubt one of the finest distilled spirits in the world. I have sampled as many as I could over the past 44 years, this is my rum of choice (when available). I am not a fan of Barbados, so I will be looking for a way to St. Nicholas Abbey on the dark side.

A friend brought it from Barbados.

Tones of wine even when it's bourbon aged. The tail is smooth and rather short.

Quite intense flavour, acidic taste, full body, smoky tail.

You can recognize the Barbadian soul and profile, but to me, it does something that no other rum does. It has some kind of x-factor that just sets it aside from every other rum. It might be an acquired taste, but once your there, it probably doesn't get any better... especially if your into pure, unsweetened bajan rum. It's amazing craftsmanship. The extraordinary 15 year little brother has evolved from a slightly frail and very delicate beauty into something slightly more refined, full and complex, without going overboard. This one just blows my mind every time I have a glass. As with the 15 year version, it's a little hard to describe the feel of this rum, but I'l give it a try.
Given time, the nose slowly greets you with a broad palette of notes. I pick up pineapple, banana, faint wooden lacquer, oak, sweet tobacco, hay and sugarcane juice. At the risk of sounding a little romantic, it's simply a beautiful symphony. These notes follow through in the mouth and is supplemented by oily leather, roasted hazelnuts and a slightly spicy tingling. The finish is very long with a buttery and nutty character. The balance is fantastic. I'm amazed by it's delicacy. It's expensive but absolute luxury and to me worth the price. If I could only choose one rum for the rest of my life, this one would probably be the first one coming to mind. It's no secret that it's originally a foursquare distillation, so let's hope to god that the very talented folks at st. Nicholas Abbey manage to recreate the miracle with there own new distillations. Fingers crossed.

pineapple, banana, sugarcane, with hints of wood/oak. nutty finish. Very balanced taste, velvetious and creamy.
A bit of sour smell which makes it really special.

Visiting the Abby plantation and distillery this week I had my mind set on the 12 year reserve. Lucky for me they were out and I opted for the 18 year big brother. This rum has both depth and is quite smooth at only 40%. This rum is not actually distilled at the Abbey, but at Foursquare, I understand the Abbey provides them with the first pressing of sugar cane juice from their Plantation and then stores and blends the rum at their facility.

Back to the rum, uniquely its own not another private label ECS. Lighter and easier to drink than 60-62% expressions but chock full if sweet notes of banana, fresh fruit, mummy jams and cinnamon. Nice rum and great memory. Moves right to the top shelf.

This is so different from the sweet heavy christmas cake rums I usually love. This is a relaxed, sitting watching the sun and waves and feeling the breeze. Leave it 20 minutes in a Norlan glass and then enjoy. What does it taste like? I wasn't paying attention. Whatever the other guys said.

In 3 months it's due to be renamed the 20 year old - already one barrel is and that's supplying the 20cl white/5/15/20 gift pack bottles. Note there is also now a new 5 year old cask strength and a overproof of the white rum both of which are excellent. And the barrels are running out for this 18/20 yr old.

It is from Barbados what is some kind of quality proof, but this one is different, slightly spicy and leathery. But amazingly smooth and surprising.