Hamilton Single Cask Strength Collection Diamond Distillery Guyanese Rum — Savalle Still, Marque MDLB 750ml

This is a genuinely rare, one-of-a-kind bottle from Ed Hamilton's Single Cask Strength Collection — a rum distilled in August 2014 on the Savalle still at Guyana's historic Diamond Distillery, carrying the marque MDLB, and left to age a full seven years before bottling in September 2021, entirely uncut at its natural cask strength of 62.8% ABV. Hamilton's own Single Cask Strength Collection is built around exactly this kind of provenance: single casks from Demerara Distillers Ltd.'s (DDL) different heritage stills, each pot or column-distilled, bottled individually rather than blended into a house style.

The Savalle still is a genuine continuous column still, one of several distinct historic stills still operating at Diamond Distillery alongside the wooden Port Mourant double retort pot still, the wooden Versailles single pot still, and the wooden Enmore Coffey still. Each produces a genuinely different style of Demerara rum, and Savalle-marked rums (including the closely related SVL and MDLB marques) tend to sit on the richer, more classically Demerara side of the spectrum — dark, weighty, and driven by molasses, dried fruit, and dark chocolate rather than the more esoteric "rotting fruit" funk associated with Port Mourant.

We don't have independently published tasting notes specific to this exact cask, since it appears to be a genuine one-off single-barrel pick, but for house-style context, other Savalle still Diamond rums have been described showing "nougat, coffee" and molasses on the nose, with "dried fruit, dark chocolate, and coffee" carrying through the palate, "some malt and bitterness adding depth." A related Hamilton Demerara bottling built substantially from Savalle-still distillate found "molasses, oranges, licorice and bitter caramel" on the nose, with the palate turning "a bit fruitier" with real banana character, closing with "orange peel, banana, milk chocolate and molasses." This is genuinely serious, uncut Guyanese rum — real, undiluted intensity from one of Diamond Distillery's most storied stills.

Origins & Craftsmanship

This Hamilton Single Cask Strength Collection rum is produced at Diamond Distillery, Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL), in Guyana, distilled on the Savalle still and carrying the marque MDLB. The rum was distilled in August 2014 and aged a full seven years before bottling in September 2021, entirely uncut at natural cask strength. Bottled by Ed Hamilton at 62.8% ABV, 750ml, as a genuine single-cask release.

Critics Reviews

No independently published tasting notes are confirmed for this exact cask at this time — a genuine, one-off single-barrel release. For house-style context, related Savalle still Diamond Distillery rums have received:

RumX community (SVL marque, house-style context):
"Presents an enticing profile characterized by coffee, molasses, and dried fruit aromas. On the palate, flavors of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and coffee are prominent, with some malt and bitterness adding depth. This rum balances its robust alcohol content with a smooth and intriguing taste."

Single Cask Rum (extended independent review, related Savalle SVL cask, house-style context):
"Nose: Rich and heavy with nougat, coffee."

Single Cask Rum (extended independent review, Hamilton 86 Demerara River, Savalle-influenced blend, house-style context):
"Nose: Molasses, oranges, licorice and bitter caramel. Palate: A bit fruitier (banana) and less bitter (caramel) than the nose. Finish: Short with orange peel, banana, milk chocolate and molasses."

Tasting Profile

Reflects confirmed house-style character for Savalle still Demerara rum; specific notes for this exact cask are not yet independently published.

Nose
Molasses and orange lead, joined by licorice and bitter caramel, alongside coffee, nougat, and dried fruit.

Palate
Rich and full, with dark chocolate and dried fruit carrying real weight, developing banana, malt, and a touch of bitterness for depth.

Finish
Long and warming, closing with orange peel, molasses, and milk chocolate — genuinely intense at full cask strength.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate desserts
• Grilled or smoked meats
• Aged, nutty cheeses
• Dried fruit and nut boards

Serving Note

Enjoy neat in a snifter to appreciate the full cask-strength intensity; a few drops of water can help open additional layers.