Review: Rums of Spinnaker, 2026 Releases
As far as I can tell, Spinnaker is the only rum company based in Austin, Texas (it’s also the smallest), where Drinkhacker HQ currently resides. It’s not a distiller, mind you, but an independent bottler, very much in the vein of Holmes Cay and LM&V. Spinnaker has a clear focus, taking single barrels of premium rum, bottling them all at full proof while providing complete information on their provenance. Spinnaker’s bottles are unique in that they contain loads of production information right on the back label, so you don’t have to go digging for it online.
The most unique bit about Spinnaker: All of its products are finished in Texas bourbon barrels (from Still Austin) for (very) short amount of time, a few months, before bottling. The reason for this unorthodox finishing is because the barrels were slightly damaged in shipping from Europe, so Spinnaker owner (and sole employee) Kevin McBrayer moved the rum into local whiskey barrels before they could be bottled. Along the way, he was able to infuse a subtle Texanness to the spirits to showcase its Austin chops. Fun story, and an ingenious solution to his problem.
The inaugural releases from Spinnaker comprise four single barrels from four classic rum producers in three different countries. We tasted them all, and thoughts follow.
Note that all of Spinnaker’s bottles are 375ml in size — which I think is genius.
Spinnaker Rum 8 Years Old LFCH 2016 Review
LFCH (Lawrence Francis Close Hussey) is a low-ester rum from Jamaica’s renowned Hampden distillery. This rum spent 8 years in an ex-bourbon barrel, mostly on the island with a year in the UK before finishing for a few months in a Texas bourbon barrel and being bottled in Austin. Molasses base, pot distillate. Gorgeous banana notes kick off on the nose, backed by heavy baking spice and something of a pumpkin loaf note, loaded with cinnamon and allspice. While just outside the level of comfortable on the palate due to its 61.2% bottle strength, it can still be enjoyed without tempering, flavors of tropical fruit bursting across the tongue. Pineapple and banana appear in equal proportions, with hints of coconut and a peach quality emerging with time in glass. Water helps tame the experience and brings out the rum’s more floral notes while keeping the vibe completely focused on the islands. 122.4 proof. A-
Spinnaker Rum 9 Years Old WPM 2015 Review
Produced at the WP Estate in Jamaica, aged nearly 9 years in ex-bourbon the UK and a few months in Texas in its finishing barrel. Molasses-based pot still distillate; higher ester count than the LFCH. A bit harder edged on the nose, this has a rather wild aromatic profile, green and woodsy, with overtones of nearly burnt brown butter and sooty creosote. The palate has the same harshness to it, earthy and piney and a little tough to get your arms around. Tropical fruit notes of papaya and guava dance into view but flee before they can truly be grasped. Water tames the beast but dulls the experience, leaving you with a mix of mint, coconut, and banana cream that, while pleasant, doesn’t offer a huge thrill. I found myself longing for the LFCH in the end. 115.6 proof. B
Spinnaker Rum 11 Years Old FS 2014 Review
Barbados’ Foursquare distillate, aged over 8 years on the island, 2 1/2 years in the Netherlands, and a finishing spell in Austin in Texas bourbon barrels. It’s made from molasses and is a blend of pot and column still rums, all the MBFS8 marque. Foursquare is one of the GOATs of the rum world, and picking up an 11 year old for this price is a bit of a no-brainer buy. The nose is classic Barbados: rich and molasses-driven, layered with banana, vanilla, and baking spice, touches of mint lingering on the edges. Banana dominates on the palate, infused into white chocolate before, eventually, fruitier notes of raisin and some Maraska cherry come around. The lightest touches of smoke ring the finish, more charred sugar than wood-driven, giving the rum the slightest bit of gravitas to cling to the tongue. Outstanding stuff and my favorite in the lineup. 117.8 proof. A
Spinnaker Rum 12 Years Old MPM 2012 Review
Port Mourant (Guyana) rum, made from a pot distillate of molasses, aged in bourbon for 8 years in country, 4 1/2 years in the UK, and finished in Texas whiskey in Austin for a few months. Probably the sweetest and fruitiest rum in the lineup, this is an aromatic celebration of Christmas cake, apple pie, banana custard, and flowery incense, all whipped into a tutti frutti swirl. A curious earthiness is evident, but it wasn’t until I read the back label copy that it made sense: roasted chestnuts, with that coconut husk-adjacent earthiness, on full display. The palate doesn’t diverge much from those expectations, though here the sweetness is more overt and driven by maple syrup notes, ready for Sunday pancakes. Raisins, baking spice, and more pressing ginger notes all emerge, with a candied orange peel note lingering on the finish. Oddly, while it’s the highest abv rum in the collection, it’s fully approachable straight from the bottle. 126.4 proof. A-
each $59 ($225 as a four-pack)
Spinnaker Rum 11 Years Old FS 2014
USD59
