This is the best-known Australian distillery in Europe, but a quick reminder of the basics was in order.
The Beenleigh distillery is located south of Brisbane, on Australia’s east coast. It began producing rum in 1884. 100% of the molasses it uses comes from Australia. Native yeasts are used for fermentation. In summer, fermentation can take place very quickly, in 28 or 30 hours.
In the cooler months, from autumn to spring, the fermentation process can take 4 or 5 days. The distillation process is quite unique, as Beenleigh uses both a column and a pot still. The 8% alcohol molasses wine, known as “wash”, passes through a column and runs at 60%, then into a copper pot still (which can hold 15,000 litres) and, finally, the rum comes out at 88% vol.
The first two years of ageing take place in large wooden vats (Vats), some of which date back to the 1880s. The wine then matures in smaller ex-bourbon casks, which bring out more colour and aroma. Barrels that have previously held Australian port, wines, brandies, etc. are also used.
The distillery’s bottlings can be found on the French market. Beenleigh. Among them, we recommend the 5-year-old Double Cask, aged in ex-brandy casks. Or the 10 Year Old, matured in ex-bourbon casks.
With its great complexity, long finish and roundness, it is truly delicious. But Beenleigh also delights independent bottlers, including Planteray, Famille Ricci, Swell de Spirits, Velier, Rom Deluxe, 1802… All of them offer very different profiles, full-bodied and/or funky, from the official bottlings.
Find out more here: Beenleigh, another idea of Australian rum
Cuvée to taste: Carnival Single Cask Australia 2006
The trio of Joey Starr, Ludo Kpodar and Guillaume Château have delighted us with this limited edition of their new brand Carnival Sun Juice. It’s a 2006 vintage from an Australian distillery whose name begins with a B and ends with an H. Much less sophisticated than the official bottlings, it’s an explosion of citrus fruit, with hints of spice (cinnamon, vanilla) and chocolate… In short, it’s rich and complex, and lingers for a long time on the palate.
50 cl – 52,1 % – 145 €