Kill Devil (Hunter Laing) 2001 Diamond 15-Year

Very good single cask rum from Guyana. Has quite an interesting taste to it, fruitiness but still quite dry. Has some sharp edges that would/should be blended out if it was not released as a single cask, however for me these edges makes it extra interesting. Well worth trying if you want to try an unsugarred sipping rum from Guyana for a reasonable price.
Has more flavour to it than the average colum still rum. Shame it doesn't list on what still/mark its distilled as in 2001 Diamond distillery already had quite a few stills at their disposal.
Would not be surprised if this comes from the old Coffley still, but cannot find info regarding this anywhere.

This is a 2001 SWR batch bottled by Hunter Laing. There are three strengths, all single casks: 46%, 57.1% and 61%. I have the bottle with 61%.
This year SBS also bottled a 2001 barrel with 53.2% -> 20 years old.

Smell: The smell starts barely sweet after serving, I normally expect a lot of grapes, which is not the case here.
With more time, however, the typical profile comes out and the sweetness increases. I smell molasses, grapes and heavy barrel aromas. There is a lot of liquorice and there could be some kind of gum or tar in the background, almost a bit greasy, I would like to say. The profile is clear, it's a heavy SWR. Earthy barrel wood with some blueberries can still be found. This is very reminiscent of the old Navys, SWRs or REVs. Almost unbelievable for 15 years.

Taste: A heavy start with tar, molasses, slightly sweet with burnt sugar. A lot of liquorice develops immediately, the bitter substances increase significantly. There is even smoke and rubber. Dried fruits round off the whole thing, heavy earthy barrel wood is now on the palate. Wow, it's a pretty old barrel. It has nothing to do with young bourbon barrels. I would have gues this rum is more than 20 years old.
The finish is a bit spicy with a lot of liquorice, molasses and tannins that are still bitter on the palate. Cold, very strong black tea can be tasted, some blueberry combined with gum, tar and heavy barrel aromas.

Aftertaste: liquorice, gum, tar, barrel aromas, cold smoke or ash (as with the Islay Finish).

Conclusion: It is a very heavy Skeldon that can only be understood with a lot of experience. It's almost Caroni level. Very complex, definitely not for beginners. It is not balanced, threatens to overwhelm you at any moment with its heavy aromas and bitterness.
A very good rum that has remained unknown in the scene. Today this bottling would not have appeared under € 300.

Overall rating: 89 points

Sweetness: 1/5
Fruit: 1.5 / 5
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Complexity: 4/5
Value 110 €: 4.5 / 5

I tried this Kill Deveil Diamond 2001. It is very wild taste and flavor.
Not sweet and no aroma of Demerara.
It has a different taste and aroma than other Demerara rum, such as El Dorado,
But it is surely taste of Demerara.

Purchased a sample from Master of Malt for around a £10.

Potent cask strength liquid but nose and flavour are palatable in small sips.