Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAW
Rum | 700mL | 59% ABV (118 proof) | Aged 6 Years — Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum South Africa Mhoba SAW is a Holmes Cay exclusive: distilled in 2018 at Mhoba Rum Distillery in Malalane, South Africa, and aged six years in ex–South African whisky casks (non-peated) before bottling uncut at 118 proof. SAW = South Africa Whisky — the edition code for the non-peated cask version. Just 510 bottles exist. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
The rum starts as 100% fresh-pressed estate cane juice, open-fermented 6–7 days with ambient yeast and distilled in Mhoba's custom high-reflux pot stills. Non-chill filtered, no sugar, no color, no additives — the rum purist's way. Official tasting notes (Holmes Cay): mint leaf and caramel on the nose; vanilla, brine, and Sichuan peppercorn on the palate; a finish of spun sugar with a hint of eucalyptus. Drinkhacker gave it a B+ (8.5/10) — praised for funk fans. Its peated-cask sibling is the SAWP edition.
Tasting notes
Nose: mint leaf and caramel (Holmes Cay). Palate: vanilla, brine, Sichuan peppercorn. Finish: spun sugar, hint of eucalyptus.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 700mL, 59% ABV (118 proof) — distilled 2018, aged 6 years in ex–South African whisky casks
- Only 510 bottles — a Holmes Cay exclusive single-cask release
- Additive-free: non-chill filtered, no sugar, no coloring
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Serve neat at room temperature — 118 proof cask-strength rum rewards slow sipping. A few drops of water open the brine-and-peppercorn layers.
Frequently asked questions
What does SAW stand for?
South Africa Whisky — the edition code for the version aged in ex–South African whisky casks. The peated-cask sibling is SAWP (South Africa Whisky Peated).
How old is this rum?
Distilled in 2018 and aged 6 years at Mhoba Rum Distillery, Malalane, South Africa.
Is it really a single cask?
It is bottled from two exclusive casks blended across two marques (SW + SW-HDD) — 510 bottles total, per the official sell sheet.
Is it cask strength?
Yes — 59% ABV (118 proof), non-chill filtered, with no added sugar or coloring.