Review: Demerara Superior High Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 3, 2012

The Diamond Distillery sits on the East Bank of the Demerara River near Georgetown, Guyana. The Distillery was originally part of the Diamond Estate which was the last of the Sugar Plantation Estates in Guyana to produce rum, and it is now home to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

I was given a unique opportunity to witness this facility in operation when I was invited by Woodman Wines and Spirits and Demerara Distillers to travel to Guyana for a very exclusive tour of the DDL facilities. Part of that tour included visiting trade establishments within nearby Georgetown to get a feel for the local retail market. One product which I saw in a lot of the local establishments was Demerara Superior High Wine. This product is a single distilled high-proof ‘high wine’ produced for the local Guyanese market. I was intrigued by this High Wine for two reasons. First, because it seems to be extremely popular in the local market, and second, because it represents the base distillate which DDL produces from the original Diamond Estate Coffey Still No. 3. This is one of the important stills used in the production of their world-class rums.

I requested a small sample of this ‘high wine’ because I wanted to taste this spirit before it was altered by further distillation and/or years of barrel aging. I thought sharing this review here on my website might prove interesting for my readers as well. Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I poured my High Wine into my glencairn glass, I understood very quickly why this product is so popular locally. It displays a very attractive nose. Light scents of sugarcane, hints of banana and orange peel, and a very light ribbon of mint rose to the air almost immediately… “

You may read my full review here: