Description

Cadenhead’s 2010 Aged 12 Years Clarendon Estate Distillery Jamaican Rum (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 55%           Age: 12 Years Old            Country: Jamaican

The Rum

Unleash the wild, “funky” spirit of Jamaica with the Cadenhead’s Clarendon Estate 12 Year Old. Distilled in 2012 and matured for over a decade, this 700ml expression is a heavyweight of the Dated Distillation range. Bottled at a powerful 55% ABV, it is presented as a “Pure Single Rum”—meaning it comes from a single distillery and is produced using traditional pot still methods.

This bottling is celebrated for its “industrial” and ester-heavy profile. Following the strict Cadenhead ethos, it is non-chill filtered, natural in colour, and completely free from added sugars or flavourings. The 55% proof provides the perfect vehicle for Clarendon’s unique spirit, which manages to balance savoury, vegetal notes with a deep, tropical sweetness that only long term oak aging can provide.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: An eccentric and captivating bouquet. Initial aromas of charred pineapple and ripe mango are immediately met by a savoury, industrial “filth” featuring BBQ smoke, tomato plant, and damp earth. As it sits, lighter notes of mint sprig and honeycomb emerge to provide a sweet, herbal lift.

Palate: The arrival is intense and full-bodied. The palate features a complex juxtaposition of toasted almonds, pine nuts, and nutmeg spice. Mid-palate, the “funk” settles into a rich, waxy texture with flavours of Earl Grey tea, dark chocolate, and a hint of medicinal brine.

Finish: Long, drying, and incredibly memorable. The finish lingers with a citrusy touch of muddled lime and white pepper, finally tapering off with stewed fruits and a ghostly wisp of woodsmoke.

The Distillery

The Clarendon Distillery (also known as Monymusk) is one of Jamaica’s most historic and productive sites, dating back to 1949. Located in the Lionel Town area, it is essentially two distilleries in one, housing both massive modern column stills and heritage double-retort pot stills. A unique factual detail: Clarendon is home to one of the world’s only working wooden pot stills, made from native Greenheart wood, which contributes to the heavy, oily “cleric” that defines high-end Jamaican rum. While much of its output goes into famous blends like Captain Morgan, single-cask releases like this Cadenhead bottling allow the raw, high-ester “Monymusk” character to shine.

Overall Review

The Cadenhead’s Clarendon 12 Year Old is globally reviewed as a “polarising masterpiece,” praised for its unapologetic Jamaican funk and medicinal depth. Critics have awarded it high scores (8.1/10), noting its incredible complexity and recommending it as a must-buy for enthusiasts who enjoy bold, savoury rums.