05/02/2025
I've got myself quite a backlog of lovely bottles and samples I want to do reviews for. With a free bit of time tonight I sat down with this Romanian Carpathian Single Malt I was very kindly sent, for a tasting: initially aged in bourbon barrels it was finished in Rhum barrels (note the 'h').
As I poured it there was a real rum sweetness explosion - like you get the smoke in the air pouring a heavy Islay, but with light brown sweetness instead.
Nosing is far less 'bottom shelf' though. Candied sweetness with hints of citrus, but floral a little bit like a gin. Very definite chunky pineapple, maybe a pineapple cake/bread, the fruit mixed with a ye**ty funk.
First mouthful, wonderfully clean, minimal burn, then nice prickling, warming. Slightly bitter finish, but with that tropical tone rather than oak.
Second taste there's some vegetal funk, the youth of rum.
There's vanilla sponge, but it's malty, and soaked in an earthy sugar syrup.
As it, and I, sit there's oak, and cask char. A touch of chilli, hint of meaty depth. The end of the glass was even a little metallic and fizzy. The empty glass is malty and tropical.
I'm a fan of Carpathian, this being the second expression I've tried. Both had a light enjoyable character with nice additions from the casks. And from my research and conversations it seems clear there's a drive to make something, and be, authentic.
