By Stefanie Collins, editor b&c
The Bundaberg Distilling Company, announced its latest release the limited edition Bundaberg Rum Master Distillers’ Collection Solera, along with the return of Bundaberg Rum Black.
Launching at The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival on the 15th October, Bundaberg Rum Solera has been described by the distillery as “a celebration of the modern era of premium rum” and “one of the most complex rums the company has ever created”.
Bundaberg Rum Solera is named after the style of blending and maturation used to create it. According to Bundaberg, the rum began life as aged dark and white rum reserves that have been matured in a selection of barrels that have previously aged port, bourbon and sherry. These liquids were then blended and aged through the distillery’s “one of a kind Vat Solera process” in Bundaberg Rum’s Vat 36, which is purposely never more than half-emptied.
The resulting spirit is described as “rich and bold” and having been “instilled with notes of vanilla, fruitcake and butterscotch, making it a well-balanced treat for the palate”.
Senior brand manager for Bundaberg Rum, Duncan Littler, says: “The Bundaberg Distilling Company was always going to have big shoes to fill in 2016, following Bundaberg Blenders Edition 2015 winning the World’s Best Rum earlier this year. Bundaberg Rum Solera has delivered perfectly – it is as sophisticated as it is bold – and it is an exceptional addition to our Master Distillers’ Collection.”
As with previous Master Distillers’ Collection releases, each bottle carries a unique number, making it very collectable.
Bottles numbered 4-1500 were available from the Bundaberg Rum website (they are now sold out), meaning the only place to secure a bottle will now be in person at The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival, for RRP $179.99 for a 700ml bottle (40% ABV), where the bottles numbered 1501 and above will be on sale.
Also making a return at The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival is Bundaberg Rum Black. One of the first spirits from Bundaberg Rum to be aged for 12 years, it has “notes of rich molasses, warming aromatic layers of clove and nutmeg, which develop into a raisin and honeyed oak finish”. The 700ml (40% ABV) bottles will be available nationwide for RRP $55.99.
Says Duncan: “Bundaberg Rum Black has always been a favourite amongst our fans and we’re thrilled to be able to respond to that by bringing it back.”
The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival will take place at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery from 10am-5pm, Saturday 15th October.