Monymusk Overproof White Rum
The Monymusk Estate is one of the oldest estates in Jamaica still involved in sugar and rum production. The Monymusk rums are made at the Clarendon Distillers Limited which is located on the Monymusk Estate in Lionel Town, Clarendon. The distillery was built in 1949 and was originally owned by the Monymusk Sugar Factory which began operations back in 1901. The distillery is now a part of the National Rums of Jamaica along with the Long Pond Distillery and the Inswood ageing/blending facility – a former distillery that stopped rum production in the 1950s. National Rums of Jamaica is a three-way partnership between Demerara Distillers Limited, Maison Ferrand (Planteray Rum) and the Jamaican government (National Sugar Company).
Monymusk Overproof is molasses based blend of pot and column still rums, unaged and bottled at the classic 63% abv. Altogether this makes it the closest in production style to the classic and beloved Wray and Nephew overproof of any of the current competitors. On the nose there is little "funk" to speak of, with a clean fruitiness the order of the day. Coconut water, unripe banana, tart berry, and a yeasty note greet you. The palate is rich and distinct, with pear, pineapple, white grape, sweet cream, and a sharp hint of pepper. It's certainly Jamaican rum, but a little more restrained than some of the purely pot still overproofs.