Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) introduces the second release in its high ester blend series: Port Mourant (PM) / Diamond High Ester (DHE). This follows the successful launch of La Bonne Intention (LBI) / Diamond High Ester (DHE) expression back in 2024, which was widely praised by rum enthusiasts.
As the global interest in distinctive rum profiles continues to grow, DDL’s high ester blends offer a rare opportunity to explore the bold, complex flavours created by its 14 operational stills. High ester rums are celebrated for their intense fruity and floral notes, driven by the high concentration of esters, the aromatic compounds that define their signature character.
This new expression highlights the depth and versatility of Demerara rum-making. Distilled in 2014 and aged for 10 years in once-used bourbon barrels, the Port Mourant / Diamond High Ester blend is bottled at cask strength.
The Port Mourant (PM) Double Wooden Pot Still originally installed at the Port Mourant Estate in 1732, has a storied legacy. Its rich, robust rum was once the choice of the Royal Navy for its daily ration. After the closure of several distilleries, the still was moved to Uitvlugt, and later to the Diamond Distillery in 1999, where it continues to operate today.
The Diamond High Ester (DHE) marque is produced by one small John Dore Double Retort Pot Still, that dates back to 1950 and is one of its kind at the Diamond Distillery in Demerara, Guyana. The DHE Still makes rums at up to 70,000 ppm of ethyl acetate. The DHE wash is made well away from the main fermentation area adjoining the still house. The DHE wash ferments for several months and includes local fruits. The distillation process uses slow boiling and high reflux within the DHE still to retain and extract the high concentration of ethyl acetate formed during the “funky fermentation” process. The result is a rum with ester levels in excess of 1500g/hL.
The newly launched Port Mourant (PM) / Diamond High Ester (DHE) opens with aromas of green apple, flambéed banana, and subtle notes of clove, cigar, and peat. On the palate, it’s fruit-forward, with layers of ripe tropical fruit, complemented with hints of clove, and an infused tobacco spiced finish that leaves a lasting impression on the palate.
