I’ve been alluding to this project with Karthik and the team from Phenomenal Spirits for some time now, but the arrival is finally nigh! A private cask strength batch of the outstanding 10 year old Ron Izalco rum, and…...get this…...a single barrel of Ry3 aged in the same barrel the rum came from, also at cask strength!
I’m very, very excited to pour myself a glass of the Mission exclusive Ron Izalco tonight while I puff on one of the new Goldies we just got in (more on that below), as I’m thinking this is as good of a cigar rum that exists. At 61.7%, all that sweetness is balanced out by the massive ABV, bringing brown sugar, caramel, tropical fruit, and a lovely high-toned ester-y note on the finish. The more I taste it, the more I’m in love with it.
Using rums from Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, it’s a bold Spanish style rum that moves the genre further away from sticky, and more towards what today’s geekier rum fans are lusting after.
Ron Izalco “Mission Exclusive” 10 Year Old Private Reserve 61.7% Cask Strength Gran Reserva Rum $69.99
Then you’ve got the new Mission exclusive single barrel of Ry3 that was finished with the same rum cask. A marriage of three rye whiskies from Canada and the U.S., Karthik worked with the team from Joseph Magnus to help create the blend. Imagine if you could get Angel’s Envy rye whiskey from a single barrel at full proof! That’s what this baby tastes like.
The nose is pure maple glazed donut; like you’re smelling a delicious maple bar and it’s right under your freaking nostrils. But rather than overdose on sugar, the rye spice kicks in immediately on the palate, to the point that you almost can’t believe it’s the same spirit. That spice turns into cinnamon and clove and then the proof kicks in big on the backend. I’m such a big fan of this! I’m hoping this is the cask that gives Karthik and his team their due. I can’t imagine anyone not liking this.
Ry3 “Mission Exclusive” Single Rum Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey $79.99
-David Driscoll