Velier The Las Ward Barbados 2007 Rum

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 60% | Chill filtration: No

Special Features:

Triple pot-still distillation and sixteen years of maturation in Barbados define this Last Ward. Made from molasses, the rum comes entirely from a single distillery and is bottled as Pure Single Rum. For this release, Velier blended rum from 13 casks of the 2007 vintage that previously belonged to Frank Ward. Maturation took place exclusively in a tropical climate in former bourbon barrels made from American oak.

During the long maturation, around 70% of the original cask contents evaporated—the so-called angels’ share. The rum was bottled in 2023 at a cask strength of 60%. It contains neither added sugar nor colouring and is not chill-filtered.

The name Last Ward recalls Frank Ward, the last member of the longstanding owning family to lead Mount Gay. The triple-distilled rums were originally intended to be bottled under the historic name Mount Gilboa. Velier acquired the casks from Frank Ward and carries part of that story forward with this release.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose initially reveals candied apricot, leaves and forest floor, recalling mature Grande Champagne Cognac. Cardamom and nutmeg then emerge. Mango and pomegranate are equally distinct, alongside fine wood notes.
• Palate: The rum is full-bodied and intense on the palate. Cane sugar, molasses and floral geranium notes shape the opening, before freshly squeezed oranges bring a lively, refreshing impression.
• Finish: The long, full finish combines sugar cane with roasted coffee beans, ginger and cinnamon. Floral and vegetal impressions of hyacinth and pipe tobacco emerge as it develops. Walnut, hazelnut and almond round out the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Mount Gay is located in the parish of St. Lucy in northern Barbados. Rum production there dates back to 1703, and the historic buildings remain part of a working distillery today. The estate was originally called Mount Gilboa. In 1801, it was renamed Mount Gay in honour of Sir John Gay Alleyne, who had introduced improvements to distillation.

Velier is the Italian independent bottler behind this selection. Together with Richard Seale of Foursquare distillery, Luca Gargano developed a rum classification focused particularly on the distillation method. Within this system, Pure Single Rum denotes rum made exclusively in pot stills at a single distillery. For Last Ward, Velier handles selection and bottling; the rum was produced at Mount Gay.

Facts: