“Barrel Aged, Tahitian Vanilla, Coconut Rum Porter.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Black with two fingers of lightly tanned foam perched on top. Steady reduction, eventually settling to a fine film with healthy lace work on the glass.

Aroma: Straight off the bat something is off here. We can pick up the subtle wafts of vanilla, coconut and rum but they’re totally clashing with this unpleasant freshly cut pear/green apple character. It screams acetaldehyde infection. It’s a real shame coz this had real potential.

Flavour: Thankfully the green apple/pear subsides. We’re tasting the lovely vanilla and coconut, rum and dark spice with a delicate touch of dark fruit and lightly roasted malts. There is a short cameo of acetaldehyde but it finishes relatively sweet and rummy with lingering coconut and vanilla on the rear.

Mouthfeel: A tad too lean for our liking. Slippery texture but the 8.8% ABV is nicely positioned. Mild-medium body.

Overall: Not the best rum Porter we’ve had. Obviously the issues with acetaldehyde (which is our guess) doesn’t do it any favours but the glimpses of sweet vanilla, coconut and rum kinda make up for it. All up it’s pretty average though.