Our Rums
Barrel #1 - 14yr Trinidad
Produced with a column still in January 2010, this rum spent nearly a decade and a half soaking up flavors from an ex-bourbon cask while traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and back.
This is the perfect introduction to the Great Shearwater Single Barrel lineup. It starts with aromas of maple, marshmallow, and toasted oak, which all translate to the palate along with more vanilla, caramel and walnut notes. The long finish includes flavors of chocolate, cola and crème brûlée.
We recommend enjoying this neat, but if you find the 114-proof packs too much punch, the flavor holds up nicely to a splash of water or a couple of ice cubes.
Barrel #2 - 14yr Trinidad
(Rye Finish)
This rum was distilled in December 2009 and arrived in Louisville carrying a very similar flavor profile to Barrel #1. We knew we wanted to make this one truly special, so we re-barreled the rum into a cask that formerly aged a rare high-malt Indiana Rye, where it sat for a full year.
The rye cask had a big influence on this, darkening the color significantly and imparting new aromas and flavors throughout. The nose shines with rich caramel, fresh cinnamon rolls and a hint of spearmint rounding out the heavy wood notes. The bright palate carries forward the oak influence and amps up the cinnamon along with the taste of graham cracker and malted milk balls. The spicy finish is softened a by lingering hints of chocolate cereal and candy.
This is our highest ABV offering at 124 proof, and we think it drinks great neat, with a splash of water or on light ice.
Barrel #3 - 13yr Jamaica
While Barrels 1 & 2 will undoubtedly remind you of drinking an aged bourbon or whiskey, Barrel #3 is unmistakably a rum. This rum was distilled in a pot still in 2011 after a long fermentation period that introduced some distinct Jamaican funk into the fray.
The 13 years in an ex-bourbon cask certainly had some influence here, but the backbone and most of the flavor comes from the distillate itself. Aromas of banana, Earl Grey tea, and toasted marshmallow are prevalent on the nose. From there, you’ll immediately recognize the tropical banana, papaya, and pineapple notes on the palate along with more herbal tea and a touch of chocolate and mint. The incredibly long finish is reminiscent of an ocean breeze, with hints of all of the tropical notes sticking around and leaving you wanting more.
Bottled an an approachable 108 proof, we recommend this neat, with a few drops of water, or a single cube of ice.
Barrel #4- 15yr Belize
This rum was aged for 10 years in tropical conditions before being shipped to the UK for 5 more years of maturation. We brought this barrel to Louisville in 2024 and were excited to bottle it late that year. This is a column still, molasses-based rum that checks every box we look for in a spirit.
The extended aging in the tropics gave this rum the opportunity to interact with its ex-bourbon cask, soaking up the deep, rich flavors from the barrel. These notes of oak, vanilla and caramel are prevalent on the nose. The palate starts with bright, tropical flavors that give way to caramel, chocolate and baking spices on the back. The lingering finish showcases the balance of the spirit, with all of its complex notes melding perfectly.
This drinks much easier than its 116 proof point might suggest. It is best enjoyed neat to showcase the true depth of the spirit, while some drops of water or an ice cube can help open it up and brighten the palate.