Mainland 8 Year Old California Rum
Mainland 8 Year Old California Rum is a single-barrel American rum bottled by Mainland, the independent American rum bottler founded by Seth Benhaim (of Broken Barrel Whiskey), distilled from molasses in California in 2017 and bottled at full barrel proof, 64% ABV (128 proof), in a 750mL bottle. It aged eight years in a single 53-gallon ex-bourbon cask and yielded just 125 bottles — nothing added after the barrel: no blending, no dilution, no sugar, no colouring and no water to bring the proof down. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof / ABV: 128 proof (64% ABV), barrel proof
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 8 years (distilled 2017)
- Cask: Single 53-gallon ex-bourbon cask — 125 bottles
- Base: Molasses
- Origin: California, USA
America's Independent Rum Bottler
Mainland was built on a simple observation: nearly 90% of the rum Americans drink is imported, while thousands of US craft distilleries quietly make excellent rum of their own. As the first independent American rum bottler, Mainland hunts down rare, discontinued and well-aged single barrels from distilleries across the continental United States and bottles them exactly as they come — the distillery's identity hidden in plain sight in the coordinates printed either side of the age statement (this barrel's point to the Los Angeles area). See the Louisiana and Florida siblings and more American rum in our rum collection.
Tasting Notes
Dark barrel character leads — vanilla, cherry and sweet brown rice notes shaped as much by eight years in charred American oak as by the molasses spirit itself, with deep caramelised depth under the full barrel-proof heat.
How to Enjoy
At 128 proof it rewards patience: pour a small measure, let it sit, and add water a few drops at a time to find where the cherry and vanilla open up. Once this cask is gone it is gone — collectors should browse our rare and top shelf collection and full spirits range for the other Mainland barrels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who bottles Mainland rum?
Mainland is the independent American rum bottling project of Seth Benhaim, founder of Broken Barrel Whiskey — single barrels sourced from distilleries across the continental US, bottled with no blending, dilution or additives.
How many bottles were made?
Just 125 bottles from the single 53-gallon ex-bourbon cask, per the front label.
How strong is it and what size is the bottle?
Full barrel proof at 64% ABV (128 proof), in a 750mL bottle.
Get Mainland 8 Year Old California Rum at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — homegrown rum at full strength.