First Impressions
When Habitation Velier selects a cask from Mount Gay, attention is warranted. This 2007 expression was aged at origin in Barbados for sixteen years, bottled at cask strength 60%, and released as a single rum. It represents one of the finest independent bottlings of Barbadian rum currently available.
Tasting
The nose is rich and mature. Candied nuts and dried fruit lead, with vanilla and fresh coffee adding warmth and complexity. Oak provides structure, dark toffee adds sweetness, and the overall character speaks of a rum that has spent sixteen years developing in the Barbadian heat. It's a nose that commands respect.
The palate is full-bodied and complex. Candied walnut and dark dried fruit form the core, with espresso adding a bitter-sweet dimension. Vanilla pod sweetens the mid-palate, oak tannins from the extended maturation provide grip and structure, and dark chocolate emerges in the background. The commanding presence of the 60% ABV carries everything with authority. Water softens the tannins and releases additional fruit, but neat is the way to experience this rum's full personality.
The finish is long and satisfying. Coffee, nuts, dried fruit, and a distinguished oak close make for a finish that stays with you.
The Bottom Line
At £250, Last Ward 2007 is a premium purchase that delivers premium quality. Velier's selection and Barbados's tropical maturation have produced a Mount Gay expression of real distinction. For Mount Gay fans, this is an opportunity to taste the distillery at its most natural and uncompromised.
