The Single Still series from Demerara Distillers Limited captures the unique characters of legendary distilleries - pure rum enjoyment with history and tradition.

El Dorado | Single Still

Relationship status: Single Still ...

In the broad and multifaceted world of rum, plenty of "relationships" get formed – better known as blends. If you come from the whisky world, the word "blend" tends to carry a slightly negative connotation, which I absolutely cannot understand! Creating a bottling from different distillates that maintains the same flavor pattern and the same quality across multiple batches is, in my view, already a great art in itself … I don't think these products should be directly compared to single casks, because they're two different categories – no matter whether we're talking about rum, whisky, cognac, or other aged spirits.

This insider tip isn't about single cask bottlings, but rather – as the relationship status already suggests – about "single still" products. Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), based in Guyana, is the largest rum producer in the world and probably best known for its El Dorado brand. Alongside the classic range, which spans distillates aged from three to 25 years, special editions appear from time to time, showcasing something truly out of the ordinary – see also past Bottled issues. Because DDL took over most of the rum distilleries in Guyana during the period of consolidation, the company holds a remarkably impressive and globally unique collection of different stills: everything from classic column stills to the last intact single wooden pot still left in the world – to name just one small example. Blends for the company's own bottlings are created from these various stills, ultimately forming an aromatically rounded and well-balanced relationship. After all, blended rums aren't only made from different casks.

The Single Still series we're focusing on here consists of three products, each originating from just one single distillation still. The aim is to isolate the characteristics of each individual still and showcase them in flavor. Three of the most famous and sought-after singles were used for this: Enmore, Port Mourant & Versailles. Three magnificent wooden fellows with a bit of patina and a fair few years behind them, yet still fully functional and from a good house with plenty of tradition and history – the Diamond Distillery in Guyana.

Yours, Christoph