Nine Leaves Rum 2018 / 7 Year Old / Ex-Armagnac Small Batch arrives with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly what it is. This expression was aged for seven years in ex-Armagnac barrels and is a marriage of three casks. It reveals a complex and layered profile, with notes of rich leather, tropical pineapple,. At £165.00, it sits in a competitive bracket, but does it justify its place on the shelf?
Nine Leaves Distillery has built a reputation for consistency and character. This premium expression represents the region's approach to rum-making at its most characterful. Bottled at 59% ABV, it promises intensity without sacrificing approachability.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, Nine Leaves Rum 2018 / 7 Year Old / Ex-Armagnac Small Batch presents sandalwood, old library, marzipan, antique wood. It is an inviting and well-composed aromatic profile that draws you into the glass with each return.
The palate delivers deep dried fruit, silk-smooth oak, candied walnut, cigar leaf. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and powerfully concentrated, with each sip revealing new layers of complexity. There is an elegance here that justifies the price point — every element feels considered and deliberately placed.
The finish is sophisticated spice tail with silky fade. It is a finish that rewards patience and invites contemplation — the hallmark of a truly accomplished spirit.
How to Serve
This is a rum that demands to be savoured neat, perhaps with a single drop of water to coax out the more elusive notes hiding behind the oak. Any mixer would be a disservice to the years of maturation and craft that have gone into this bottle. Pour it into a Glencairn or a brandy balloon, take your time, and appreciate every nuance as it evolves in the glass.
The Verdict
Nine Leaves Rum 2018 / 7 Year Old / Ex-Armagnac Small Batch earns a well-deserved 8 out of 9 on our scale, reflecting an exceptional spirit that stands out in even the most competitive company. At £165.00, it represents a serious investment, but one that delivers commensurate quality, complexity, and memorability. A bottle worth seeking out and one we would happily pour again.
