Angel's Share Title
Holmes Cay Belize 2005
We have enjoyed other private bottling from Holmes Cay and were happy to receive a sample of their 2005 Belize bottling. The rum was produced from fermented molasses and aged in used American white oak Bourbon barrels at the Traveller’s Liquour distillery located in Belize City, Belize. The rum was bottled in 2020 at 61% ABV. Like all Holmes Cay rums, no additives were used in the production of this limited-edition product.
Holmes Cay Belize 2005
Appearance
Holmes Cay uses a squat short necked 750 mL bottle with the basic information about the rum on the labels. Each bottle is individually numbered and indicates what cask they are from.The liquid has a dark golden-brown color that lightens to a golden amber in the glass. Agitating the liquid creates a band that slowly thickens and over time drops multiple waves of legs down the side of the glass before finally beading up and evaporating.
Nose
The aroma of the rum is an interesting funky mix with lots of tropical fruit notes, cherry, dried prune, apricot, candied pineapple and roasted coconut with cacao and oak char completing the experience.
Palate
The sweetness of molasses dominates the tongue as the alcohol of the rum conditions the palate. Additional sips revealed the cherry and prunes from the aroma, roasted walnuts, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves taking the baseline and mid-palate, while grilled pineapple, brown sugar, and dried apricot take the high notes. As the flavors begin to settle, there are notes of dark coffee, dried tobacco leaf and lightly bitter cacao, char and minerals that linger in a nice long finish.
Review
Over the years I have enjoyed several different releases from Belize’s historic Traveller’s Distillery that have made good cocktails and sippers. Some of their other limited-edition releases were made to commemorate special events or people and were for me definitely on the dessert side of the rum spectrum. What I discovered with this Holmes Cay bottling was an enjoyable sipper. I added a drop of water to the tasting glass and fruit and floral notes really opened it up. Savored both neat and with the single drop of water gave me two distinct flavor experiences. Holmes Cay continues to gain momentum as each private bottling raises its popularity with rum enthusiasts and introduces one unique experience after another to the market. The Belize 2005 is no exception and well worth picking up if you spot it in the store.
