Angel's Share Title
Copalli Taster’s Club Barrel Select Organic Rum
The Copal Tree distillery, located in the southern rainforest region of Belize, is a zero-impact facility that uses biomass to power the property. The company uses non-GMO, heirloom sugar cane that is grown at the neighboring Copal Tree Farm. After the cane is harvested, it is pressed within two hours to ensure the freshness of the juice. The juice is mixed with rainwater collected from around the rainforest canopy and yeast, and the spirit is allowed to ferment for an unspecified amount of time. After fermentation, the liquid is distilled in column and pot stills and rested in used American white oak barrels for an unspecified amount of time before being blended and bottled. This product was selected by the Taster’s Club and blended to 58.4 % ABV.
Copalli distillery
Appearance
The rum is in the standard 750 ml bottle that is common with the Copalli line. The clear security wrap holds the wood capped synthetic cork to the bottle. The label provides basic information about the rum and has a sticker that indicates it is a single barrel selection from the Taster’s Club. The rum has a light golden amber color in the bottle and glass. Swirling the liquid creates a thick band that drops fast moving legs down the side of the glass. After a moment, the band evaporates, leaving a band of residue around the glass.
Nose
The aroma of the rum leads to a punch of caramelized vanilla-laden alcohol. These aromas are followed by char and oak notes, with a bit of grassy cane rounding out the experience.
Palate
The proof of the rum fires up the palate with a caramel driven fireball intensity. The oak and mineral notes form the foundation, with grassy cane and vanilla taking the high notes. As it transitions midpalate, there is a good bit of cinnamon and nutmeg coming in at the end, forming a spicy finish.
Review
When I sample a rum that was a barrel pick or private blend for an establishment, I am always curious to see how it showcases the product from a distillery. This is far and away the most robust, high proof product I have ever had from Belize, and from the Copal Tree distillery specifically. The strength of the proof and rough and tumble flavor profile makes me think it would do well in a grog or rum barrel cocktail but would be problematic in many others due to the other ingredients. If you happen to come across this one, consider sipping it neat or with a single ice cube. Just keep in mind that it hits hard and takes no prisoners.
