Single Cask Editions
The Pedigree
The Infinity is a one-of-a-kind edition, a standout even among Holmes Cay’s periodic Rarest Edition releases. This blend combines the last available samples of some of the rarest vintage single cask rums from the world’s most renowned rum distilleries; it is a single cask of single casks.
With origins in 13 distilleries across Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Venezuela, and Brazil, the rums in this cask are a Who’s Who of great distilleries past and present. Legendary lost rums from Caroni, Uitvlugt, Enmore, and Gardel were blended with storied classics from Hampden, Long Pond, Diamond, Montebello and others, including a 1976 Port Mourant from Guyana and a 47 year-old Gardel rhum agricole. The component rums were then aged together in Liverpool in an ex-rum cask for an additional 20 years from 2003 to 2023. The rum was bottled after its 20th year in cask in 2024.
The Holmes Cay Infinity was bottled at cask strength, 58% alcohol by volume. Only 100 full-sized (700 ml) cask strength bottles of this historic offering are available in a boxed set that includes a hardcover book detailing the distilleries and marks which comprise the Infinity cask.
Tasting notes
On the nose, the Holmes Cay Infinity edition boasts rich baking spice, vanilla and caramel, highlighting oak interaction in the years of maturation. On the tongue, the interplay includes layers of vanilla toffee and overripe banana with a backbone of leather. The toffee sweetness fades as leather and tobacco linger, imparting subtle dryness to the long finish.
The Pedigree
This Venezuela expression is from a historic 228 year-old distillery in the Aragua Valley. Due to trademark agreements, the name “Destileria Sofa” is commonly used for the distillery instead of its restricted name.
This molasses, 100% column still rum was distilled in 2007 in Venezuela and aged tropically there for 15 years before being bottled in New York State.
Distillation and aging in ex-bourbon casks create the Venezuela 2007 edition’s complex flavors. No sugar, no color and no other flavors were added in the making of this rum.
The Venezuela 2007 15 Year edition has been bottled at a high and flavorful proof of 55% alcohol by volume, a proof previously unavailable for this distillery’s rum in the US.
Tasting notes
Light fruit and caramel on the nose, with tangy citrus and peach on the tongue and a burst of pepper and oak in the light finish.
The Pedigree
Barbados 2012 Port Cask edition is a product of the world famous Foursquare Rum Distillery of Barbados. This blend of column and pot still rum was distilled at Foursquare, aged 8 years in Barbados, then underwent a further 18 months of secondary maturation in second-fill port casks in New York.
Aging alone creates the complex flavors of the Barbados 2012 Port Cask. No sugar, no color, and no other flavors were added in the making of this rum.
Bottled at 55% alcohol by volume only five casks of this premium, 9-year old rum are available in the 2024 edition.
Tasting notes
The Pedigree
The Holmes Cay Trinidad 2012 11 Year edition comes from the now defunct 10 Cane distillery in Trinidad. The original cane juice pot still distillate was left aging in ex-cognac barrels in the tropics for 4 years, with a further 5 years maturation in the UK in ex-rum casks. The rum then spent another 2 years in New York State, transforming the light bodied mixing rum flavors to a mature and layered taste profile. It was bottled at barrel proof, or 59% ABV. These special barrels are getting a second life as an aged rum that will never be recreated again. During the brand’s existence, there were several different 10 Cane formulations: the first was a pure cane juice, pot still version – the one chosen for this edition.
Tasting notes
Delicate floral notes on the nose, herbs and pepper on the tongue, vanilla custard and oak in the medium length finish.
The Pedigree
The Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Premier Cru rum is from the world renowned Foursquare Rum Distillery in St. Phillip, Barbados. This all molasses, pot and column still rum blend was distilled in 2009 in Barbados and aged there for 8 years in ex-bourbon. The cask selected then spent 4 years in the UK in ex-bourbon. Upon reaching New York State, it was placed into a Premier Cru (first growth) Bordeaux cask for two additional years.
No sugar, no color and no other flavors were added in the making of this rum. Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Premier Cru was bottled at 55% alcohol by volume, and a single cask of this 14-year old rum is being released in 2023.
Tasting notes
Creme de cassis and vanilla lead the rich, rounded nose. Black currants, clove, cinnamon and Sichuan peppercorn with a hint of citrus and an undertone of cocoa. An elegant finish of violet, plum and graphite.
The Pedigree
The Holmes Cay Australia Beenleigh 2012 edition comes from the Beenleigh Artisan Rum Distillery in Queensland, Australia. This all molasses, pot still rum was distilled in 2012 in Australia and aged there for 6 years in American oak. The casks selected then spent 4 years in the UK in ex-bourbon before being bottled in New York State at 61% ABV.
Tasting notes
Gentle sweetness and vanilla on the nose. Fruit and mint give way to dry and savory notes on the palate. The finish integrates oak and mineral notes.
The Pedigree
The Belize 2006 16 Year edition comes from Travellers Liquors Distillery in Belize. This all molasses rum was distilled on a manually operated column still, and was 100 percent tropically aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. It was bottled in Belize in 2022 at 61% ABV.
Tasting notes
Caramel, vanilla and plum on the nose. Toffee and a hint of cocoa on the tongue, returning to stone fruit in a crisp oak, medium-length finish.
The Pedigree
The Holmes Cay Jamaica ITP 2007 edition comes from the storied Long Pond Distilllery. Founded in 1753, Long Pond began its existence as a sugar estate and distillery in the Jamaican Parish of Trelawny, and the Long Pond Distillery is now a part of National Rums of Jamaica. This all-molasses rum is a single, low ester mark called the Ive Trelawny Pot or ITP. It was produced on the historic John Dore copper pot still and was 100% tropically aged in Jamaica in ex-bourbon barrels before being bottled in New York State in 2022 at 56% ABV.
Tasting notes
Ripened tropical fruit on the nose leads to banana, mango and brown sugar on the tongue and a long and balanced finish of oak and tobacco leaf.
The Pedigree
The Jamaica EMB 2014 edition comes from the Clarendon Distillery in Jamaica. This all-molasses, medium ester rum is open air fermented and distilled on a pot still and fully tropically aged in Jamaica in ex-bourbon barrels before being bottled in New York State in 2022 at 61% ABV.
Tasting notes
Pepper and papaya on the nose, tropical fruit, clove and leather on the tongue, with a finish of leather and baking spices.
The Pedigree
The Fiji 2004 17-Year edition is a molasses, 100 percent pot-distilled rum. It is an exceptional example of the classic Fijian rum profile from South Pacific Distilleries, Fiji’s only distillery. Tropically aged in ex-bourbon for 12 years with a further 5 years maturation in the UK in American oak casks. It was bottled in New York State at 58% ABV.
Tasting notes
Subtle grass and fresh banana on the nose yields on the tongue to a burst of citrus, pepper notes and hints of caramel. A buttery mouthfeel leads to a lingering dry finish of spicy oak and balsam.
The Pedigree
The Guyana Uitvlugt 2003 edition was distilled on a historic French 4-column Savalle column still. Originally located in the legendary Uitvlugt Estate (pronounced “eye-flot”), the still can now be found at Diamond Distillery, Guyana. This 100% column still rum was aged two years tropically in Guyana and 16 years in the UK. It was bottled in New York State at barrel proof, or 51% ABV.
Tasting notes
With golden honey and a whiff of brine on the nose, the palate starts out with overripe tropical fruits, then continues with hints of almond, herbs and a touch of cocoa. Light tobacco lingers on the finish.
The Pedigree
A Holmes Cay “Rarest Selection,” the Fiji 2001 is the oldest Fiji single cask selection that has ever been released. It is a molasses-based 100% pot still rum, produced at the only rum distillery in Fiji, South Pacific Distilleries. Tropically aged for 2 years in ex-bourbon, it then spent 19 years in an ex-bourbon cask in the UK. It was bottled in New York State in 2022. It has been bottled at full barrel proof of 53.8% alcohol by volume, and fewer than 200 bottles are available.
Tasting notes
Brown sugar and vanilla custard give way to a medium length finish of tobacco and oak.
The Pedigree
A Holmes Cay “Rarest Selection,” this Barbados 2002 Pot Still is a single mark. It is a molasses-based 100% pot still rum, produced at the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Once casked, it was shipped to the UK, where it spent 20 years in an ex-bourbon cask. It was bottled in New York State in 2022. This limited edition of fewer than 200 bottles was bottled at full barrel proof of 51.1% alcohol by volume.
Tasting notes
On the nose dried apricot and yeasty dough, on the tongue baking spice, citrus and honey, with a finish of mineral and oak.
The Pedigree
Holmes Cay Trinidad 2012 10 Year edition — two casks from the now defunct 10 Cane distillery in Trinidad. The original lightly aged, cane juice mixer has become a mature and complex rum to sip and enjoy, bottled at full barrel proof or 59% ABV. These special barrels are getting a second life as aged rum that will never be recreated again. The all fresh cane juice, 100% pot still rum was double distilled in 2012 in Trinidad, tropically aged in ex-cognac casks for 4 years, then spent 6 years in ex-bourbon in the UK before being bottled in New York State.
Tasting notes
A lightly floral nose yields to herbs, pepper and spice on the tongue, followed by custard and oak in the medium length finish.
The Pedigree
The Barbados 2012 Port Cask edition is a product of the famed Foursquare Rum Distillery of Barbados. This blend of column and pot still rum was aged 8 years in Barbados, then underwent a further year of secondary maturation in port casks in New York. This edition is bottled at high proof, or 55% alcohol by volume. Five casks of this premium, 9-year old rum are available.
Tasting notes
Plum and cherry lead. Light caramel, honey and oak on the palate yield to raisin and stone fruit with a crisp, oaky finish.
The Pedigree
The Holmes Cay South Africa Mhoba 2017 Edition is fresh pressed cane juice, pot distilled rum from the Mhoba Distillery in South Africa, a true cane-to-cask artisanal distillery. Aged for 4 years in African whisky casks, these casks were bottled in 2021 at full barrel proof or 59% alcohol by volume. No sugar, no color and no other flavors were added in the making of this rum. Only four casks -1026 bottles – were released.
Tasting notes
Grilled pineapple and rich cane on the nose. On the tongue, white pepper, light treacle, tropical fruit, and a hint of toasted fennel seed. On the finish, young vegetation and a puff of smoke.
The Pedigree
Holmes Cay Jamaica Wedderburn 2011 edition, a medium ester, 100% pot still rum, was distilled in 2011 at the Clarendon Distillery, Jamaica. It was tropically aged for 3 years in Jamaica in ex-bourbon casks, with 7 years further aging in the UK. It was bottled in 2021 in New York State. Aging alone creates the complex flavors of the Jamaica Wedderburn 2011. No sugar, no color, and no other flavors were added in the making of this rum. The Jamaica Wedderburn 2011 is bottled at cask strength, or 59% alcohol by volume. Four casks containing 1,050 bottles of this premium, 10-year old rum are available.
Tasting notes
A nose of young pineapple and drying oak opens into rich, overripe tropical fruit on the tongue. Black pepper and baking spices lead to a substantial finish of leather and tobacco leaf.
The Pedigree
This blend of column and pot still rum was distilled at Foursquare in Barbados, aged 8 years in Barbados and 2 years in the UK in ex-bourbon casks. The rum was then placed into port casks in New York State and aged for an additional year. Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Port Cask is bottled at cask strength, or 56% alcohol by volume. Only two casks — 522 bottles — of this premium, 11-year old rum are available.
Tasting notes
A slightly floral nose with cherry and hints of chocolate. Light caramel, honey and oak present on the palate yielding to plum and cherry. The initial sweetness is balanced with a lingering, drier finish of oak and dark chocolate.
The Pedigree
Tropically aged for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks, the 100% column still rum was distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2020 at the Travellers Liquors Distillery, Belize. No sugar, no color and no other flavors were added in the making of the Belize 2005, which was bottled at cask strength or 61% alcohol by volume. Only four casks — 912 bottles — of the premium, 100 percent tropically aged rum are available.
Tasting notes
Caramel, vanilla and cherry emerge on the nose. Light chocolate and tobacco explode on the tongue, while stone fruit and earthy tobacco shade toward sherry in the medium-length finish.
The Pedigree
Holmes Cay Fiji 2004 is an exceptional example of the classic Fijian rum profile. One cask of this 100% pot still rum was distilled in 2004 at the South Pacific Distilleries of Fiji and bottled in New York State. Tropically aged in an ex-bourbon barrel for 12 years with a further 4 years maturation in the UK in American oak casks, aging alone creates the complex flavors. No sugar, no color, no other flavors are added in the making of this rum. Holmes Cay Fiji 2004 is bottled at cask strength, at 58% alcohol by volume. Only two casks — 486 bottles — of this premium, 16-year old rum are available.
Tasting notes
Subtle grass and fresh banana on the nose yields to a burst of citrus, pepper and hints of caramel on the tongue. A buttery mouthfeel leads to a dry, lingering finish of spicy oak and balsam.
The Pedigree
Holmes Cay Guyana Port Mourant Demerara 2005 is a product of the legendary Port Mourant double wooden pot still. Now nearly 300 years old, it’s the only double wooden pot still in existence. One cask of this 100% pot still rum was distilled at Demerara Distillers in 2005 and bottled in New York State. Aged for 15 years in the UK in American oak recycled rum casks, no sugar, no color, no other flavors are added in the making of this rum. Aging alone creates the complex flavors. Not even water has been added. What is bottled is what went into the cask 15 years ago. Holmes Cay Guyana Port Mourant Demerara 2005 is bottled at full cask strength, 56.4% alcohol by volume. Only three casks — 360 bottles — of this premium, 15-year old rum are available.
Tasting notes
An earthy nose of banana, hints of black cherry and notes of pine transitions smoothly to pineapple, citrus and honeyed pine on the tongue with a finish of peat, banana and stone fruit jam.
The Pedigree
Holmes Cay Barbados 2005 is a standout in the traditional British style of rum making. A masterful blend of pot and column still rum, distilled in 2005 at the legendary Foursquare Rum Distillery of Barbados. This edition has been aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels: 11 years tropically and 3 years in the UK. Holmes Cay Barbados 2005 is bottled at full cask strength. Two casks have been bottled at approximately 64% alcohol by volume with slight variations by barrel. Only 2 casks of 504 bottles are on sale. It’s up to you how you’d like to sip it — With a rock? A splash of water? Let the flavors open up and get started on your journey.
Tasting notes
Starts with a nose of brown sugar and butterscotch and moves forward on the palate with notes of caramelized toffee, tangerine and vanilla. A crisp mouthfeel leads to a light woody finish with a heft of peppery spice.