Dead Reckoning South Pacific 2 Year is a 100% Pot Still rum which has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels for its full maturation in/on Fiji. The rum is molasses based and was distilled on a John Dore Double Retort Pot Still. It has been bottled at 60% ABV

In the glass Dead Reckoning South Pacific 2 Year is a light golden almost straw like colour.

On the nose the rum is pretty fierce and upfront. For anyone unfamiliar with rum from South Pacific Distillery it is best described as a mixture of Jamaican Funk, Saint Lucian Herbal-ness and Caroni’s dirty Petrol like notes.

Sweet and Sour Pineapple mingles alongside some smokiness and medicinal notes. Tar and Petrol float in and out as does a very little aroma of oak and light wood. There is a herbal almost Eucalyptus like note and some Pot Pourri going on

It’s heavy and tarry and very sweet and fruity at the same time. Lots of stewed apples and a touch of cinnamon, creosote fences and some hot road tar.

The 60% ABV Is really felt on the nose as is the relative youth of the distillate

The sip begins with a fair amount of heat but you quickly get a lot of stewed apples, banana bread and some fermenting pineapples. It’s hot and sweet initially but it quickly becomes more “herbal”. With notes, I can best describe as “a bit like Chairman’s Reserve Original” coming in to balance the heat and intensity a little. It’s like a herbal Pot Pourri. For me it’s lovely as I am huge fan of St Lucian rum and this is what this “phase” of the tasting reminds me of.

As we move into what I can best describe as the “mid palate” I begin to notice the more medicinal notes again. Benylin cough mixture and some lighter notes of banana bread and toasted teacakes.

This mingles alongside some light oaky notes and a touch of sawdust. As we move towards the finish I am getting some of the tarry and more “murky” Caroni like notes. Nail varnish and tar begin to fight for supremacy.

The cough syrup notes remain alongside Tree Sap and freshly cut grass and a nice smoky/oak like note which lingers nicely.