Rainforest 2024/2026 - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier

Profile: Rainforest 2024/2026 - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier at a glance

• Philippine Origin: This rum comes from Rainforest Distillers in Bukidnon and showcases the potential of Philippine rum craftsmanship.
• Pure Single Rum: Distilled exclusively in pot stills and produced entirely at a single distillery—authentic and rooted in tradition.
• Special Sugar Cane: Made from the historic Manpu sugar cane variety, preserving the Philippines' agricultural heritage.
• Ex-Chardonnay Maturation: 20 months of tropical aging in ex-Chardonnay casks give this bottling its distinctive character.
• Habitation Velier: Bottled in its natural state and part of the renowned series that highlights exceptional distilleries and their unique signatures.

Portrait: What makes the Rainforest 2024/2026 - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier special

When a rum bears the name “Rainforest,” one is certainly entitled to expect a story that offers more than just palm trees, hammocks, and sunsets. The Pure Single Rum Rainforest 2024/2026 - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier delivers exactly that—without taking a single detour into clichés. The “Pure Single Rum” category follows a principle that should feel instantly familiar to whisky fans: much like a Scotch single malt, the rum originates exclusively from a single distillery and is distilled 100% using the traditional pot-still method (batch distillation). Less industry, more craftsmanship - and definitely more personality. It is bottled by Habitation Velier, a series that has made a global name for itself with uncompromisingly authentic rums. Tropical aging, no unnecessary additives, and a clear focus on origin and production methods—here, every distillery gets to show what it is capable of. Instead of a uniform style, you get spirits with real character in your glass. For this special bottling, the journey takes us to the Philippines. It was there, amidst the tropical landscape of Bukidnon, that Master Distiller Marc Schulze founded Rainforest Distillers in 2015. It is crafted using traditional Philippine sugarcane of the historic Manpu variety - an old, regional cultivar that helps preserve a piece of agricultural heritage.

Time is also a key ingredient in its production. Fermentation lasts an impressive nine to eleven days and is supplemented by young "muck" matured in the tropical climate - a technique that adds complexity to the process. The rum then spends 20 months in ex-Chardonnay casks—naturally, under tropical conditions. The climate takes its toll here: an "Angel’s Share" of more than ten percent annually serves as a reminder that even angels apparently have a weakness for exceptional rum.

The result is a world premiere within the Habitation Velier series and, at the same time, an exciting ambassador for Philippine rum culture. It is a rum with provenance, history, and plenty of character - devoid of flashy gimmicks, yet possessing a story well worth sharing.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Rainforest 2024/2026 - Ex-Chardonnay Casks - Habitation Velier tastes like

• Nose: Fresh sugarcane and floral aromas open the bouquet, accompanied by light grapes, citrus zest, and a hint of green apple. Underlying notes reveal fine herbs, subtle vanilla, and a touch of honey, alongside faint traces of oak and white blossoms. With time in the glass, mineral nuances and a hint of tropical fruit emerge.
• Palate: Powerful and precise, displaying the hallmark character of a high-quality Pure Single Rum. Fresh sugarcane meets ripe pear, light stone fruits, and delicate citrus notes. Maturation in ex-Chardonnay casks introduces elegant hints of vanilla, buttery pastry, and subtle wood without masking the spirit's agricultural character. Herbal spice, a touch of pepper, and a fine mineral note add depth and complexity.
• Finish: Long, dry, and multi-layered. Spicy oak, delicate citrus peel, and floral accents linger gently. These are complemented by light notes of almond, white pepper, and fresh sugarcane, underscoring the authentic, natural style of this exceptional bottling right to the very end.