Monymusk Special Reserve

This is a rum that has been on my shelf for a while and now it was time to check it out.
It’s a blend from the Clarendon distillery’s pot still and column still, which is the reason that I call it half funk.
The nose is nice after hand warmed. On the palate you recognize vanilla, raisin and some esters. During the afterburn, which is middle long, you can also recognize a quite distinctive taste of coconut.
As a summary a real nice Jamaican rum.
Pictures: My Jamaican shelf & My opened bottle.

Just enough funk to let you know it is Jamaican, not at all overpowering. More alcohol on the nose than I expected, but that disappears on the palate. Decently smooth, medium body, medium finish. Light spice and fruit tones, and lighter molasses than I expected, a pleasant wood note. Well-balanced, with nothing being dominant.

Similar in character to the Monymusk classic gold, but notably smoother, and richer. More oak in the taste, but a respectable lunch of that signature ripe banana funk. A modest upgrade that adds a little extra character to mixed drinks, and slightly more pleasurable than the gold when sipped on its own. That said, I wouldn’t pay too much extra for it, but a bargain at even a small discount.

I have to say this immediately reminded me of the long extinct Dagger rum, not exactly but just a resemblance, It also reminds me of Appleton Reserve but less banana, more molasses and nutty, really nutty and oaky, but at 40% it’s smooth, but that’s bothers me a bit, most good aged rums are 42-45%. I feel it’s a nice addition to my Jamaican rum cabinet, my personal favorite of all the rums besides Demerara of course! I am looking forward to making a rum punch with this-lime sugar and bitters:) overall I give it an 9 because I love Jamaican rums so deal with it lol.

Enjoyed 2 glasses of Monymusk Special Reserve while in London. It has a nice and deep color, quite a strong alcohol smell to nose very similar to the cheaper Appleton's, and then you get the familiar Jamaican glue and funk to your taste buds. Just awful. Struggles for a 5 score.

Tasted side by side with Royal Jamaican and Appleton Rare with four others. This was the clear winner.

Right off, a strong smell of alcohol in the glass. Slightly oaky, a little harsh finish. But let it breathe for a few minutes, and give it a small dash of water. It opens up nicely. I have a slight cold (slightly stuffed up), so no flavors to report until I can taste it better. But after tasting 7-8 Jamaican rums at the airport on our way home, this was the preferred one to buy.