This single barrel, as indicated on the label, was cask number 109 of lot 28. On average, the lots in the Oude Molen ageing stores consist of 160 barrels each, and their master blender obviously has the task of tasting the brandy from the barrels before they are decanted and blended into different brandy blends. Whenever he comes across an exceptionally different brandy, he puts it aside for tasting by a panel, which then makes the decision on which barrel is good enough for René Single Cask. All brandy starts off as a clear spirit, which is made from the finest wines, and the ageing character and colour are imparted by the wood. The size of the barrel determined by SA law is no larger than 300 litres, which means that after losses there are on average only 602 bottles available for bottling from a single barrel, making this one of the rarest you will encounter. It is, uncharacteristically, a deep golden, yellow to amber colour, with chocolate and dried fruit aromas as well as some prunes and nuttiness on the nose. Rich and round in the mouth with a soft lingering finish exhibiting a delicious chocolate and fruitcake character, it is available in very limited quantities.