DropWorks drops third experimental rum
British rum distillery DropWorks has unveiled the third edition of its experimental Distiller’s Drop series, aged in smoked American oak casks.
“We want to redefine what people expect from rum by making uniquely full-flavoured British rum and move beyond artificial flavourings,”
DropWorks #003 American Oak Smoked Cask is a limited release, matured for 29 months in American oak STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks.
One-third of the liquid is finished in around 60-litre Scotch whisky octave casks previously used for Sherry.
The release is the third edition in the distillery’s Distiller’s Drop series, which explores different approaches to flavour development through casks, maturation techniques, and contemporary British rum production.
The first release in the series was aged in English chestnut casks, while the second spent 28 months in Bordeaux red wine casks.
“We want to redefine what people expect from rum by making uniquely full-flavoured British rum and move beyond artificial flavourings,” said Lewis Hayes, DropWorks Rum founder and master distiller.
“Our new Distiller’s Drop #003 has notes of golden toffee popcorn, warming spiced gingerbread and a rich smoky finish. That combination gives bartenders and drinkers a distinctive flavour profile that works both neat and in cocktails.
“My background as a bartender has played a big role in creating this one and instructed the way I think about blending rum. We have matured our rum in the American Oak and combined that with finished rum, so that it is taking on cherry and whisky flavour profiles. As it is quality distillate to begin with, the end product is delicious and hasn’t needed 10 years in a barrel to produce.”
The third edition is offered at 50.1% ABV and is limited to 550 bottles, with an RRP of £64.75 (US$86).
It will be available for presale on 2 October, followed by an official launch on 5 October.
Described as ‘the largest’ of its kind in Europe, Dropworks Distillery in Nottinghamshire can produce up to 1.5 million bottles of rum annually.
Watch Hayes discuss the distillery’s latest limited release below.
