Worthy Park 109 Proof Single Estate Jamaica Rum (700ml)

"You can’t go too far wrong picking up one of these for the home bar. " - thelonecaner.com

Reported to be a great substitute for traditional navy styles, this cocktail workhorse is ideal for tropical and Tiki recipes calling for a bold dark rum. The molasses-based blend of pot still rums includes some unaged components and others aged up to 3 years in ex-Bourbon casks. While it's not as overpowering as category equivalents like Plantation's OFTD or Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof, the producers emphasise it is primarily intended for mixing rather than straight sipping. Worthy Park also make no secret of the fact that it's caramel coloured, however that's aligned with other brands such as Lamb's or Woods. 54.5% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Overall, the melange of solid primary tastes and occasional jagged edges makes the 109 borderline as a sipper – I would not drink it regularly that way myself – but I think it’s excellent for what it was meant to be, and would handily wake up any cocktail you care to dump it into. I’m a simple guy with no real mixing experience, so you’ll forgive me for sticking with that old standby of the rum ‘n’ coke, at which this thing absolutely shines (and look forward to a flurry of notes from various bartenders who want to suggest alternatives and school me better). So, then: is it gold or pyrite? I can hear you ask. Honestly, I believe the WP 109 is neither: it’s simply an unpretentious, firm, tasty rum that doesn’t forget its backdam antecedents, and yes, it’s definitely not important what they call it — it would be similarly good if they called it The Son of Kong. A little older, a touch less bite, and it would be almost the perfect midrange rum, and given what it costs it’s great value for money to boot. You can’t go too far wrong picking up one of these for the home bar. - thelonecaner.com

On the nose Worthy Park 109 Jamaica Rum is quite smoky, with a slightly burnt note to it. Beneath this is a nice hit of banana, rum and raisin ice cream and some red apple. Theres plenty of caramel, toffee and some milky coffee. I’m not getting much of the signature English Breakfast tea. Sipped at full strength its actually quite smooth and not at all “fiery”. I’m not getting something say like J Wray and Nephew or even Worthy Park’s own Rum Bar White Overproof. That said it still backs a big punch of flavour. I’m definitely getting some of the unaged rum as I continue to sip this neat. Some light varnish and petrol notes with unmistakable funky flavours of pineapple, red apple and some guava. It has a sweet note to it that reminds me a little of Myers’s but this just has a bit more complexity and just feels more complete. The mid palate has a nice length to it with some caramel, toffee and English Breakfast tea fading in and out. This is complemented alongside the funkier more astringent  youthful notes. On the finish it fades out rather quickly and has quite a dry finish. Lets be fair – its not meant as a high class sipper. Worthy Park already have a few of those around. It’s the kind of rum you might drink as a chaser with a pint and just have a mouthful from time to time. It’s hair on your chest kind of stuff. A bit like Pusser’s Gunpowder, which I must admit I think hasn’t been quite the same since it went to a Guyana only blend. 4.5 stars - thefatrumpirate.com

Notes from the producers... Opens with notes of fresh tropical fruit, hints of banana, pineapple, and orange. Distinct flavours of crème brûlée, cacao, and coffee, accompanied by the unmistakable Jamaican funk resulting from the high ester pot-still rums.

• International Wine & Spirit Competition, IWSC 2023 — GOLD 96 points

• Worthy Park Estate received the prestigious ‘Rum Producer of the Year’ Trophy at IWSC 2023