Two Trinidad rums for The Whisky Exchange: The Scarlet Ibis and Ten Cane 2012

Ibis, an 18-year-old bottled by TWE and shown at the Rum Show 2026 in London, and a Ten Cane 12-year-old 2012 release bottled by Holmes Cay for The Whisky Exchange. The two contrast sharply in profile, price and appeal.

Ibis — what it tastes like and why it matters

This 18-year-old Trinidad rum (55%, ex-bourbon casks) is the first rum ever bottled by The Whisky Exchange. The nose is vivid: pink grapefruit, lime and juicy pineapple lead, with maracuya syrup and a heady varnish/acetone edge. Ripe banana, mint and subtle liquorice sit behind the primary fruit notes.

On the palate the sweet-and-sour tropical fruits continue — grapefruit, mango, passion fruit — while banana and kiwi grow stronger. Mid-palate brings a touch of oak spice, pepper, spearmint and faint black tea. Esters are present but controlled. Late notes include light chocolate and caramelized sugar plus a bright, cognac-like lift.

The finish is long and citrus-driven with lingering banana and ginger. The overall impression is a tropical fruit explosion that remains drinkable at 55% ABV. The reviewer highlights the price as a major part of the story: at about £60, it's described as an exceptional value for an 18-year-old Trinidad rum.

Ten Cane 12 yo 2012 (Holmes Cay) — tasting and context

The nose is sweeter and more toffee-leaning: caramel, toffee, sweetened black tea, orange peel and bananas flambéed with Demerara sugar. There's stewed peach and vanilla, with leather emerging on air.

The palate shows grassy and herbal notes with vanilla-ice-cream sweetness, rum-soaked raisins, citrus zest and tangy green grapes. Marmalade, cinnamon, tobacco leaf, and baking spices (ginger, clove) build through the mid-palate, followed by a fragrant star anise note.

The finish is long, intense and woody, dominated by spice, tea, burnt sugar and salty liquorice. The reviewer frames this as "liquid history" — a solid, cask-driven rum that's less exciting stylistically compared with The Scarlet Ibis and comes at a higher price point.

• Context and rarity: Ten Cane carries historical interest because the distillery closed in 2015 and remaining stocks are limited. The Scarlet Ibis is notable as TWE's first rum bottling.
• Price/value: The Scarlet Ibis is highlighted as an exceptional bargain (~£60). Ten Cane is higher priced and judged less of a value by the reviewer.