Borgoe 8yo

Borgoe is a rum produced by Suriname Alcoholic Beverages, who have been producing rum since the 80s. Their rums are aged in Suriname in ex-Bourbon casks, and they tout the fact that they don’t add anything to their product, which I like. They treat their age statements like whisky, meaning this expression is at least 8 years old. Unfortunately they do dilute their bourbon to basement proof, which is a red flag to me. All in all, based on this description this is a rum I would expecting to like under unblind circumstances.

This is a series of blind tastings from the “24 Rums” advent calendar. I have not looked at what is in the calendar, so every one of these reviews is 100% no prior knowledge.

1. Dictador 20
2. Whisper Antigua Gold Rum
3. New Grove 8yo
4. Cihuatan 8 year Solera
5. Domaine de Séverin VO
6. Novo Fogo Familia
7. NAUD Ron Panama 15yo
8. Enghaven Blackstrap Rum
9. Zuidam Flying Dutchman Dark Rum No. 3
10. Deadhead Dark Chocolate
11. Rum Magec Ron Añejo XO Oloroso
12. Fijian Rum Liqueur 8yo
13. Matugga Golden Rum
14. Cane Island Trinidad Rum
15. Cane Island Jamaica Rum
16. Saint James Rhum Vieux 7yo
17. Neptuns Rhum
18. Cane Island Cuba Rum
19. Borgoe 8yo
20. Mombacho Ron Reserva 8yo
21. Old New Orleans Amber Rum
22. Tres Hombres 2017 7 year Solera
23. Travellers 5yo Reserve
24. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano
25. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano (Take 2)

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Distiller: Suriname Alcoholic Beverages
ABV: 40%
Age: 8yo
Cask type: ex-Bourbon
Source: 24 Rums Advent Calendar
Setting: Blind

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Nose: Leather, maraschino cherry, coconut, dark chocolate, dates. An interesting barrel-forward nose that I quite like, but it smells like there is sweetness on the way.
Palate: I was not wrong. Chocolate chip cookies, dates and treacle. An unmistakable hit of sugar.
Finish: Ends with raisin, chocolate, dates and sugar, medium-long finish.
Overall: Another day, another rum destroyed by sweetening. This definitely showed promise, but it has been sweetened to bring the fruit notes forward and simplify any complexity that may have been there. I’m also getting the unmistakable hint of dilution to 40%. Regardless, there is promise here.
Rank: 4
Reveal: Interestingly, they Suriname Alcoholic Beverages claim that there are no additives in this rum, but I swear there was a good hit of sugar on the palate. I wonder if they’re either lying, or they do not consider sugar to be an additive? I wonder if my palate is just deceiving me.