RAISING THE BAR

Whisky, rum and even gin are some of the spirits that get their character from casks. Here are some exciting and surprising releases.

Wood-aged spirits

Rum

Dictador from Cartagena, Colombia, has always been known for its rum quality. But its pioneering 2 Masters programme has seen minimum 37-year-old rums leave the hands of master blender Hernan Parra to finish its journey overseas with a specially chosen spirit partner. These six releases have been picked up in Singapore by Malt & Wine Asia, and are as precious as the tasting notes indicate.

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY 1972:

Master distiller Callum Fraser chose a 2002 Jerez Sherry cask for this version, to pair with the 1972 vintage rum. The results are stunning with sherried sweet toffee and toasted coconut notes, with the pure-aged rum in ideal balance with a stiffer whisky structure. S1,838

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS LABALLE ARMAGNAC 1976:

Cellar master Cyril Laudet placed this 41-year-old vintage rum for six months in an interesting Black Gascon oak cask, medium toasted. One of the more powerful expressions, you’ll find almond butter and banana leaf esters on the nose, followed by sea salt caramel and mocha on the palate. $642

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS HARDY SUMMER BLEND 1976/1978:

Cellar master Mickaël Bouilly used his Chauffe légère 350L oak cask from 1954 to finish the single vintage 1976 and

1978 rums, imbuing it with the finesse of dried figs and raisins. The deep mahogany colour belies the silky character of this edition, the only one to utilise two vintages with the expertise of Cognac blending. $1,170

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS VIGNOBLES DESPAGNE 1980:

Winemaker Thibault Despagne marries the rum in casks that previously held Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, bringing ample fruit intensity to the fore. It’s the dark red cherries and sherry influences that drive the palate and finishes with a dry, oaky influence. $785

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS CHÂTEAU D’ARCHE 1980:

Cellar master Jérôme Cosson has finessed one of the most attractive editions in this series, with Sauternes oak barrels imparting a golden hue as well as sweet notes of marmalade and apricot that nimbly coats rum’s deeper flavours. $985

DICTADOR 2 MASTERS LECLERC BRIANT 1979:

Oenologist Hervé Jestin identified Taransaud & Seguin-moreau casks used by Leclerc Briant since 2009 to finish the 39-year-old rum. There’s a floral, fresher aspect that soon dips into a rum core of condensed sugar cane and honeysuckle flower notes, but finishes with the vibrant, dry nuttiness of the cask. $811