Sprache wechseln
What springs to mind when you think of rum? Perhaps a jazz bar in Cuba, where the furniture exudes a note of tobacco leaf. An evening on a Jamaican beach serenaded by the enthusiastic rhythm of steel drums. Maybe the classics such as Cuba Libre, Daiquiri, or Mojito. Whatever it is, I strongly doubt your top five considerations include rum distilled in Germany, crafted to perfection, and patiently aged for eight years. Suffice to say, we’re on the same page… at least we were, until I met René Hilpert and No. 224, a remarkable dram.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
René and his best friend, Boris Eckstein, make a point of living life to the full. Kindred spirits who still manage to approach ambitions and challenges with adolescent energy and enthusiasm.
I have yet to learn the hows and whys, but René and Boris came up with the notion to distill their own schnaps. Whereas some may have thought the idea a little hair-brained, the two soon attended a distiller’s course, not far from Lake Constance. However, they quickly learned producing schnaps would consume more time than they were prepared to sacrifice for what was, after all, a hobby.
Undeterred, they weighed up the pros and cons of some alternatives and eventually set their sights on creating their own gin. Long story short, the first batch of 30 bottles arrived in time for a pre-Christmas tasting with friends and the consensus was unanimous. René and Boris weren’t allowed to keep such a remarkable beverage to themselves and the first orders ensued.
London Dry Gin paved the way for their premium Barrel Gin, which we will feature separately. But they weren’t going to stop there and, after extensive talks with their distiller, whiskey and rum joined the lineup.
No. 224—MEANING AND VALUES
224—today, tomorrow, forever. On the one hand, an acronym drawn from the respect and loyalty that bond René and Boris. On the other, 224 stands for an exclusive range of products designed for posterity.
Crafting small batches of gin, rum, and whiskey means that each is a very personal interpretation of mood and taste.
Upholding an exclusive brand entails disregarding typical commercial aspirations of high-volume sales through mainstream outlets for a mass market. Instead, the objective is to supply limited quantities for a discerning community.
RUM—AGED 8 YEARS
A quick glance of the bold label confirms I’m holding an exclusive bottle of rum that has aged for eight years:
Batch number: 1/2023
Bottle number: 259
Volume: 350 ml
Alcohol / volume: 50%
EYE Held against the light, the reddish glow is reminiscent of wild honey. Slowly tilting the glass, it took a moment before legs began to form and slowly extend downward—a sure sign of its full-bodied character.
NOSE Hosted in an old-fashioned tulip-shaped glass and warmed by my hand, the rum unfolds the complexities of its aroma which include cinnamon and wood.
PALATE Whereas some beverages can become aggressive and lose their flavour with increasing alcohol volume, No. 224 is smooth, ever so slightly viscous, and with delicate hints of dry dates, caramel, and the aforementioned cinnamon. The finish is long, warm, and slightly spicy.
CONCLUSION
No. 224 is neither an everyday rum, nor one to use as a base for cocktails or long drinks. Savoured neat, this rum delights as an aperitif, a digestive, or casually with your inner circle of friends.
No. 224 Rum is only available from selected retailers. To purchase a bottle, reach out to René and Boris via their website.
€50 | 224GIN.COM
