Sugarhall cracks exclusive Caroni single cask rum to celebrate its first anniversary

Amoy Street grill house Sugarhall may pack some delicious barbecued items on the menu that’s likely to wow BBQ aficionados, but it’s really a lot more famous for being the definitive place in Singapore for rum, especially with its extensive collection of close to 110 varieties of that sugarcane-based spirit.

And to celebrate it surviving its first year business – we all know how brutal the F&B scene can be – Sugarhall has announced that it is launching its very own bottle of rum: the Sugarhall Exclusive: Berry’s Finest Caribbean Rum. Sourced by 317-year old London-based fine wine and spirits purveyor Berry Bros. & Rudd (which has supplied the British royal family since the reign of King George III), the exclusive bottling hails from the now-defunct Caroni Estate distillery from Trinidad.

What’s notable about this particular release is that it was distilled from Trinidadian molasses; the demise of Trinidad’s sugarcane industry over the past three decades meant that existing distilleries are forced to rely on imported molasses, mainly from nearby Guyana.

Caroni’s Cask #167 was selected after co-owners of Sugarhall Indra Kantono and his wife Gan Guo Yi’s extensive sampling of various barrels sourced from all over the Caribbean, including casks from Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad. This particular cask – filled with spirit distilled in 1997 and aged for 17 years – was chosen as a great representation of matured Caroni rum. The exclusive single cask release bursts with sweet, rich, fruity aroma that is countered by zesty lemon and lime, with layers of depth offered by some treacle toffee and cloves. Bottled at 50% alcohol by volume (ABV) – close to cask strength – to retain the intensity of the flavours, the premium rum can also be used as a base for cocktails too.

Trinidad used to be a rum powerhouse when over fifty distilleries called the Caribbean island – one half of the two-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago – home. However that number would fall to eight by 1950, and today only Angostura Distillery remains. Caroni, established in 1923 and known for supplying the British Royal Navy, was closed in 2002.

“We love rum, and we are always looking to curate a selection of amazing rums for our guests to enjoy. This exclusive bottling of rum is another step towards that goal,” says Indra Kantono, co-owner of Sugarhall as well as Jigger & Pony next door.

“We wanted a rum with a flavour that will blow people away. We want it to be complex and rewarding when sipped neat or on the rocks. We also want it to be an amazing base spirit for cocktails – one whose flavour is unadulterated and actually tastes like rum,” adds Kantono.

Sugarhall Exclusive: Berry’s Finest Caribbean Rum is released with a limited run of 240 bottles. Launched to commemorate its first anniversary, Sugarhall will be offering a special price of $240++ (U.P $280++) per bottle from 7th May 2015 until the 31stMay 2015; a jigger costs $24++ (45ml). This rum is available for consumption only at Sugarhall.