Chalong Bay Lunar Series Antipodes

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 62.1% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Two ex-bourbon casks shape this first release in the Lunar Series. The rum was distilled from sugarcane juice in Thailand before maturing for 20 months in Gers, France. The series follows the Thai lunar calendar; its first edition represents the Year of the Tiger, 2022.

La Maison du Whisky selected this bottling for the Antipodes Collection. Created to mark Chalong Bay's tenth anniversary, the release comprises 558 bottles. Distillation took place in a direct-fired copper Armagnac still. After maturation in casks 0002 and 0004, the rum was bottled at cask strength at 62.1%, without chill filtration, colouring, flavouring or added sugar.

Alongside its fruity and herbal, spicy impressions, this edition's aromatic range includes vanilla, caramel, roasted hazelnuts and dark chocolate.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The expressive nose combines fresh sugarcane juice with star anise and lime.
• Palate: The rum is full-bodied on the palate, with aromatic herbs, spices and fruity notes.
• Finish: The long, enjoyable finish reveals courgette flowers, harmoniously integrated woody notes and acacia honey.

Distillery/Bottler:

Chalong Bay is located on the southeast coast of the Thai island of Phuket. The distillery combines locally grown sugarcane with French distillation techniques. Working with local farmers, it selects native sugarcane grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides and harvested by hand.

The sugarcane is pressed immediately after harvesting. Juice from the first pressing forms the basis of rum production. Fermentation is followed by small-batch distillation in a copper still imported from France. Sugarcane juice itself is thus central to Chalong Bay's approach.

Facts: