Our recent offer on a Chairman's Reserve Florida Rum Society cask was a flash sell-out, and while that one is no more and never to return, we have another Chairman's expression that is every bit the banger and then some.
"As much as I loved the Chairman's 16-Year-Old FRS Single Cask, this one outdoes it in just about every metric." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
The 95-point Chairman's Reserve 2009 Vintage Rum is the pinnacle expression of this St. Lucia gem. Distilled in 2009 for its "vintage" designation, this is a blend of juice from the distillery's John Dore 2 and Vendome pot stills and its Coffey column still. Each component was aged separately for 11 years in ex-bourbon casks in the tropical island climate before master blender Deny Duplessis settled on the final composition, which was then re-barreled and rested in the same casks to harmonize and integrate. The result is a triumphant example of Chairman's hallmark sweet and savory tension. Remarkable complexity and energy are on full display in this "incredibly refined and poised stunner" that delivers a myriad of contrasting and complementary flavors and aromas, all while keeping a graceful personality at the forefront. You'll be hard-pressed to find a rum with such easy-going pleasure that's also so highly cerebral and suited to contemplation, and at our best-in-market private client price, it's easily one of the most compelling rum QPR stars in the store.
In my humble opinion, this is the apex expression of St. Lucia Distillery’s Chairman’s Reserve range. As much as I loved the Chairman's 16-Year-Old Florida Rum Society Cask that we offered earlier this year, this one outdoes it in just about every metric. The expertise of master blender Deny Duplessis is on full display in this incredibly refined and poised stunner. The nose leads with subtle yet very complex citrus and quickly segues to heady varnish and petrol notes, before going back to the tropical side with mango and passionfruit. The savory side of the Chairman’s style comes out super-deep baking spices, pipe tobacco, salted chocolate, and Christmas cake before a flourish of high-toned cardamom. The palate is simply gorgeous in texture and mouthfeel, with the spice profile from the nose coming through in spades, down to the last detail. The citrus and tropical fruits are present in deep, concentrated blood orange and dried, candied mango that carry into a medium-long finish of Earl Grey tea and cardamom. I can’t emphasize how easy this is to drink, despite its incredibly heady complexity, so take your time and don’t get carried away. Or grab two bottles and let yourself get carried away. You can’t go wrong either way.
95 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Jul 2026)
Enticing, concentrated layers of dried stone fruit and funk lead into an intense palate. Apricot jam and baked apple mix with oak, pecan, nutmeg and torched cinnamon, enfolded by a whiff of campfire smoke.
95 points, Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast (Nov 2023)
Top Quality Store
