Flag Series Ghana 2020 Rum

This high-proof, tropically-aged rum shines brightest when sipped neat or with a splash of water to unlock its layers of cane juice and tropical fruit, though its bold character also makes it exceptional in tiki-style drinks or simple rum-forward cocktails where its unique African terroir can take center stage. Its bright, fruit-forward profile pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, jerk chicken, or coconut-based desserts, making it an ideal companion for warm-weather gatherings and summer evenings.

Nose: Bright and grassy, with the distinctive vegetal character of fresh-pressed cane juice front and center. Ripe pineapple and green banana emerge alongside lime zest and hints of unripe mango. As it opens, there's a floral quality—jasmine and honeysuckle—plus light vanilla and toasted wood from the bourbon cask aging.

Palate: Dry entry despite the tropical fruit intensity. Raw sugarcane and passion fruit lead, followed by layers of ripe mango, citrus peel, and wildflower honey. There's a green, almost herbaceous tension running underneath that keeps the sweetness in check. The cask strength power is evident but not harsh—just bold and unapologetic. Light oak tannins add grip and structure without overwhelming the fresh cane character.

Finish: Long and warming, with a peppery spice that builds gradually. Candied citrus peel and chamomile tea notes linger, joined by cocoa nibs and a saline minerality. The tropical fruit fades to dried pineapple and a final echo of fresh sugarcane. Clean and surprisingly elegant for such a high-proof spirit, with the oak influence more pronounced here than on the nose or palate.

Flag Series Ghana 2020 Rum is crafted from organic sugarcane juice at a family-owned distillery in Ghana's Ahafo region, fermented for three days before being distilled in a 2000-liter pot still. The spirit undergoes a split maturation process—one year aging in Ghana's tropical climate followed by three years in European ex-bourbon casks—creating a distinctive profile that showcases one of Africa's most compelling rum expressions at full cask strength.

• Ghana is traditionally famous for distilling cashew nuts into spirits, but this distillery made a bold pivot to working with a rare local variety of organic sugarcane—making this one of the first serious African rums to hit the global market. It's like discovering jazz coming out of a country known for classical music.
• This rum spent its first year aging in Ghana's tropical heat, where the "angel's share" (evaporation) can reach up to 10% per year compared to just 2% in Scotland. That single year of tropical maturation does the work of roughly three to four years in a European warehouse, which explains why this relatively young rum punches way above its weight class.
• At 63.6% alcohol, this cask-strength bottle contains exactly zero added water, color, or filtration—it's basically rum in its birthday suit. The distillery uses a modest 2000-liter pot still (about the size of a small hot tub), which means each batch is tiny and packed with character you simply can't get from industrial column stills.