Rainforest 2024/2026 - Philippines Pure Single Rum - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 58% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Former Chardonnay casks and 20 months of tropical maturation shape this Rainforest rum. Distilled in 2024, it comes exclusively from one distillery and was produced entirely in pot stills. This batch distillation is the defining feature of the Pure Single Rum category.

The Philippine sugarcane variety Manpu was used to make this rum. Fermentation lasted nine to eleven days, with the addition of young muck, a fermentation material matured in Bukidnon’s tropical environment. Annual evaporation losses during the subsequent tropical cask maturation exceed 10%.

Velier bottled the rum in 2026 at a cask strength of 58%. It contains neither added sugar nor colouring and was not chill-filtered. This limited edition comes in a 0.7-litre bottle with gift packaging; the cream-coloured label features the pot-still drawings characteristic of Habitation Velier.

The rum can be enjoyed neat at room temperature. A drop of water may be added if desired.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Ripe pear and dried apricot give the nose its fruity character, while sugarcane juice adds grassy, green notes. Honey and delicate vanilla round out the bouquet, with a subtle citrus accent also discernible. The first impression on the nose combines fresh sugarcane with floral notes. Light-coloured grapes and citrus peel are also discernible, along with a hint of green apple. Delicate herbs, white blossoms and subtle oak remain in the background. Given some time in the glass, the bouquet develops mineral nuances, with a hint of tropical fruit also emerging.
• Palate: Cedarwood and nutmeg bring spice to the palate. Caramel and vanilla mingle with dried fruit and sweet pear. The acidity remains balanced. On the palate, the rum is powerful and clearly defined. Fresh sugarcane, pale stone fruit and delicate citrus notes complement the pear. Buttery pastry and subtle wood notes accompany the sugarcane character without overshadowing it. A delicate mineral note accompanies the herbal spice and hint of pepper.
• Finish: Apricot and vanilla fade harmoniously alongside spicy oak in the long, dry finish. Delicate citrus peel and floral accents linger, gradually fading. Light almond notes, white pepper and fresh sugarcane complement the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Rainforest Distillers is located in Bukidnon in the Philippines. Master Distiller Marc Schulze founded the distillery in 2015. Its use of the regional Manpu sugarcane variety and long fermentation with muck offer a concrete insight into the production methods behind this bottling.

Habitation Velier focuses on rums from individual distilleries and their pot-still production methods. The series highlights origin and production rather than blending rums from different distilleries into a uniform style. Rainforest is this distillery’s first appearance in the series; Velier acts as the bottler for this edition.

Facts: