Parhelia Pot Still Barbados Rum Cask#1, 65.4% abv

This Product’s Story
Parhelia selected this cask from a large order of curated samples following our request for “unusual” or “weird” casks. The spirits we were offered did not disappoint! We chose this cask, as well as rum casks #2 and #3, after a lengthy blind tasting process.

The vast majority of Barbados rum is a blend of column and pot still molasses rum. This molasses-derived West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) rum is exclusively pot distilled and was produced by WIRD in 2016 under its former owners and shipped to the United Kingdom later that same year. According to Matt Pietrek’s authoritative Modern Caribbean Rum monograph, at least as recently as 2022, the majority of WIRD’s production was column distilled, and, at the time of this distillate’s purchase, the only operational WIRD pot still was Registered Still #73, named “Gregg’s Farm,” a 2,500 liter pot.

Pot still-only Barbados rum is very rare in the United States, so buy a bottle before it runs out!

Product Data
Total Volume at Cask Strength (L) – 166

Total Bottles Produced – 220 750ml bottles

Base Material – Molasses

Natural Fermentation – Unknown

Fermentation Duration – Unknown

Still Type – Pot

ABV Off Still – Unknown

ABV Into Cask – Unknown

Distillation Date – July 2016

Ester Level (g/hlpa) – Not measured, likely very low*

Date Placed in Cask 1 – August 2017

Cask 1 Type – First-fill ex bourbon

Date Placed in Cask 2 – Not applicable

Cask 2 Type – Not applicable

Maturation Location – Continental

Date Decanted – Late February 2025

ABV Out of Cask – 65.4%**

Bottling ABV – 65.4%**

SRP – $130

*Estimate/Judgment

** New ABV data post-regauging

Tasting Notes
At cask strength, this over 65% ABV rum is brash but not hot from start to finish. The palate is exceptionally true to the nose, which brings with it spicy Madagascan vanilla, light cigar tobacco, anise, marzipan, freshly-baked waffles, pawpaw, spring honey, lemon verbana, blackberry jam, allspice and nutmeg, Gros Michel banana, and Rainier cherry. While the palate flavor carries almost all the aromas with vigor, it brings with it a touch of overripe stone fruit and papaya in almost equal measure. The high floral notes from the nose and palate fall off into the finish, leaving the cigar tobacco and bold flavors similar to rich Jamaican rum esters, and black peppercorn.

Label Copy
This single cask rum provides a rare opportunity to savor a pot still Barbados rum, which is commonly sold as a blend of column and pot still spirits. Compared to the more economical column still, pot stills occasionally bring a more nuanced flavor and richer texture. The distillate in this cask was originally purchased from the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) prior to the distillery’s sale to its current owner.