New York, NY (April 2, 2025) – Independent rum bottler Holmes Cay Rum is releasing three expressions, Trinidad 2012 12 Year edition from the lost 10 Cane Distillery in Trinidad, the Fiji 2009 13 Year edition from Fiji’s only distillery, South Pacific Distilleries and the Guyana Versailles 2018 from one of the oldest operating rum stills, now at Diamond Distillery. The release of these three editions completes the Holmes Cay’s Single Cask 2025 collection.
The Trinidad 2012 12 Year edition is the third in a vertical release series from the defunct 10 Cane distillery. Holmes Cay releases two casks of this historic Trinidad rum annually. When 10 Cane production in Trinidad stopped, the original cane juice, pot still distillate was left aging in ex-cognac barrels in the tropics for four years, with a further five years maturation in the UK in ex-rum casks. This year’s edition then spent three years in New York state. Finally, the casks were bottled at 59% ABV, or barrel proof.
Holmes Cay Rum founder Eric Kaye says, “This 10 Cane rum was created without compromise. Fresh cane juice was double distilled in a pot still, placed in French oak cognac casks and aged for 10 months. When the brand was shuttered, these casks were orphaned, but eventually they made their way to the UK. When I tasted one, I was blown away by the quality. We are extremely proud to share this piece of rum history from a lost distillery as it continues to mature.”
The Fiji 2009 edition is a unique molasses pot still rum distilled at South Pacific Distilleries of Fiji. This limited edition release of two casks were aged in the UK for 13 years then bottled in 2024 in New York State at a high and flavorful 58% ABV.
The Guyana Versailles 2018 edition is a rare expression from one of the oldest stills in the Caribbean, on the Versailles estate, built in the 18th century. The flavors of this molasses, pot still rum are created in a wooden circular pot constructed from tropical greenheart wood, native to Guyana. Aged for 4 years in ex-bourbon in the UK, these two barrels spent an additional year in New York State in ex-bourbon before being bottled at 55% ABV.
Says Kaye, “Each year we share a set of extremely limited single cask expressions without additives or adulteration to showcase diverse and outstanding flavors that captivate us and form an ever-changing Holmes Cay Single Cask collection. The Trinidad, Fiji and Guyana limited editions underline the exceptional range of flavors that aged rums can reach when presented with transparency.”
Trinidad 2012 12 Year Tasting Notes
Delicate floral notes on the nose, herbs and pepper on the tongue, vanilla custard and oak in the lovely, medium length finish.
Fiji 2009 13 Year Tasting Notes
Toffee on the nose and caramel popcorn on the tongue. On the finish, coffee with milk and hints of chocolate shine through the lingering Fiji base note.
Guyana 2018 Tasting Notes
Butterscotch on the nose, along with creme brûlée and tobacco on the tongue in a medium length finish.
The Trinidad 2012 12 Year has a suggested retail price of $159.99/bottle [700 ML - 6/case.]
The Fiji 2009 13 Year has a suggested retail price of $149.99/bottle [700 ML - 6/case.]
The Guyana 2018 has a suggested retail price of $79.99/bottle [700 ML - 6 / case.]
Holmes Cay rums are distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington D.C. They are also available throughout the US via holmescay.com.
About Holmes Cay Rum
Holmes Cay (pronounced ‘key’) Rum curates a continuously evolving collection of the best small-batch, limited-edition rums, distilled with integrity and without additives. With its Single Cask rums and more accessible Single Origin expressions and blends, Holmes Cay discovers the best rums in the world and shares them with discerning spirits lovers. Find your bottle and stay informed at holmescay.com, on Facebook and on Instagram.
About Eric Kaye
Eric Kaye founded Holmes Cay Rum in 2019. Frustrated that access to cask strength rums without additives was limited in the United States, Kaye saw an opportunity to focus on the hard-to-obtain aged expressions that he had encountered in Europe and the Caribbean, while championing increased transparency across the category. Kaye’s extensive knowledge of rum and relationships with highly regarded distilleries worldwide enable him to select, bottle and import rare casks, unusual expressions and delicious blends.
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