Denizen 8 Yr Merchant's Reserve Rum

Jamaican/Martinque. Aromas of light Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, and all Spice, with some light Grassiness. The palate has a light mouthfeel with a touch of caramel and clove. The Allspice comes back with some nutmeg and a little hit of white pepper on the finish. D&M Tasting Notes

The producer describes this blend of two particularly aromatic, intense rums as “unapologetically funky.” That's an accurate description for this amber-hued rum, which opens with bright tropical fruit aromas and a drying cedar-and-maple palate. Overall, the effect is that of ripe banana drizzled with maple and sprinkled with nutmeg and cayenne. 93 PointsWine Enthusiast, Top 100 Spirits 2019

 43% ABV 

80% of Denizen Merchant’s Reserve is comprised of rum from Jamaica, sourced from four distilleries:

Worthy Park, Hampden, Clarendon, New Yarmouth

Some of these distilleries are relatively small and are working hard to stay afloat in a world of much larger competitors  Intentionally selected rum from the smaller distilleries to obtain a particular flavor profile as well as to help support and keep them operating. 

Of the Jamaican rum in the Merchant’s Reserve, 60% is aged for eight years in used American oak barrels. Another 20% is aged for four years and the remaining 20% is fresh, un-aged distillate. All of the aging is done in Jamaica.

The 20% of the Merchant’s Reserve that’s not Jamaican comes from the Le Galion S.A.E.M. distillery in Martinique. It’s the last remaining sugar factory in Martinique that produces brown sugar.

The label design is similar in concept to the earlier Denizen White rum, reminding you of an “old school” rum label you might find on a bottle that floated up on a beach somewhere. The label’s orange color is a nod to the Dutch role in its creation. The lions at the top symbolize courage, while the crown symbolizes being the king or queen of your domain. The “Merchant’s Reserve” name is a tribute to the Dutch West Indies trading company.  Cocktail Wonk