Last Sip: Admiral Rodney Extra Old
When Did I Buy This Rum? Back in 2010, close friends brought me this Admiral Rodney Extra Old back from their St. Lucia holiday. I had seriously broken my leg and was in need of a “pick-me-up” after a long hospitalization so they gifted me this bottle (along with 20+ other Caribbean rums).
At the time this was a rarity to sip because Spiribaum did not begin importing Admiral Rodney into the United States until 2019.
“The island of St. Lucia gained independence from Great Britain on February 22nd, 1979. To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of that historic day, this limited edition of Admiral Rodney Extra Old St. Lucia Rum was created. This presentation of Admiral Rodney Extra Old St. Lucia is available exclusively from St. Lucia Distillers.”
Presentation: Admiral Rodney Extra Old is continuous column distilled and aged for an average of 12 years in second-use, American Oak whiskey casks.
Bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof), this golden brown rum arrived in a rounded, squat bottle with a stylish, wood-topped cork. Around this same time, House of Angostura used the same bottle for their 1919 and 1824 expressions.
Aroma: On the nose I immediately detect light wafts of ethyl alcohol, pineapple bread, green coconut mixed with whiskey barrel notes of wood, caramel, and vanilla.
Taste: On the palate, I detect a slight vegetal note mixed with flavors of anise, more vanilla, dry oak and burnt caramel. Admiral Rodney Extra Old has some definitive whiskey flavors and is a delightful sip. If I did not know it was continuous column stilled I would swear some pot still distillate had been added to provide heft to its bottom end. The rum is mellow, smooth and balanced.
“Rodney Bay, On the West of St Lucia, is named in honour of the visionary Admirl, Sir George Brydges Rodney, who famously ‘Broke The Line’ and vanquished the French fleet at The Battle of the Saints on April the 12th 1782” – Admiral Rodney front label
Finish: This rum finishes as pleasantly as it began with a lingering dry, caramel finish blended with a few notable whiskey notes. Admiral Rodney Extra Old does not try to do too much…it hits a few high notes very well and wraps up with an even, whiskey-type finish.
In Coca-Cola: This rum feels lost in cola. Its slight vegetal note is still noticeable and the clove and cola notes are amplified but overall it drinks more like a whiskey and coke rather than a rum and coke. I would say Admiral Rodney Extra Old should be sipped neat so drinkers can fully appreciate its balanced whiskey barrel aroma, flavors and finish.
