First Impressions
Don Q's Double Cask Finish series showcases creative cask finishing, and the Vermouth Cask Finish is perhaps the most intriguing of the range. After five to eight years in American white oak, the rum spends four to six weeks in vermouth casks — long enough to pick up herbal character without being overwhelmed by it.
Tasting Notes
The nose is unusual and immediately interesting. Herbal vermouth character is present but not overwhelming, with dried herbs and vanilla providing the framework. Gentle bitterness, citrus peel, and oak complete the picture. It smells like a cocktail ingredient waiting to happen.
On the palate, herbal complexity is the defining feature. Sweet vermouth influence adds a character you simply don't find in other rums — dried herbs, vanilla warmth, and bitter orange create something genuinely unique. It's interesting and thought-provoking rather than immediately crowd-pleasing.
The finish is medium-long, with herbal bitterness and vanilla fading to a dry vermouth close.
How to Drink It
This practically is a Manhattan — add it to a glass with ice and a cherry and you're most of the way there. It's also excellent in a Negroni variation replacing the rum. The vermouth character means it brings cocktail complexity straight from the bottle.
The Bottom Line
Don Q Vermouth Cask Finish earns a 7 — genuine innovation that creates something unique in the rum world. At £50, it's a conversation starter and a creative mixing ingredient. Not for traditionalists, but perfect for cocktail enthusiasts.
