Aroma visualization from community tastings
MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019
Just one year in a French cask and it drinks like something far older — that's the shock here. Cane-juice funk meets Jamaican-style esters, dark bitter chocolate, leather and caramel, all wrapped in a dry, woody finish. Several tasters clocked it blind as a Caroni. The catch: at 65% the heat can jab, and the finish runs shorter than the nose promises.
The community says- Complex for its age
- Ester-driven funk
- But: 65% Heat
View price history
Was 120.01 €, now 106.85 € All price drops
10 more payment methodsSecure payment Sold by Rum & Co Returns & cancellation
- Secure payment. You pay via RumX with PayPal, Klarna or card. Your payment data is encrypted and we never store your full card details.
- Clear seller. Sold and shipped directly by the partner shop. And you're never on your own: RumX handles support and communication with the shop, so you always get excellent service, whichever shop you order from.
- Honest shop ratings. The stars show your service experience with the shop, not the rum score. They come from RumX users, and critical ones stay visible.
- Returns & cancellation. Your purchase contract is with the shop, so returns and cancellations run through them under their own policy and your statutory rights. If anything goes wrong, RumX helps you sort it out.
Buy MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019:
Compare all 5 shop offers
Prices & availability last updated on
The look inside the bottle
How does MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019 taste?
Aggregated from 160 community reviews.
Wild, funky South African cane rum at cask strength Loved as one of the wildest, most complex Mhobas out there — funky, chocolatey and impressively mature for its age. A few find the alcohol under-integrated and the finish a touch short.
Fans of high-ester cane funk and Caroni-style dirtiness
Anyone wanting a soft, low-ABV sipper
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
68 of 160 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Recommendation
Your next rum
One difference each to this rum.
Rated better
New Yarmouth Flensburg Rum Company The Bottle Shop 1994
8.8/10225 €
Milder
Hampden Great House (Distillery Edition 2023)
8.4/1097 €
Similar rating, cheaper
Beenleigh Rum Artesanal Australian Rum 2007
8.5/1079 €First choice: 31 of 35 tasters who tried both prefer it.
How is MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.5 sits in the “Very good” band. 92% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 1% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
84% rate it 8 or higher. 45 selected write-ups from 160 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Galli33
Most helpful positive review
This one is awesome! Cool mix of all the lovely mhoba notes, fresh notes, hay, some esters. The alcohol is intergrated well and has a great impact on it. The finish is quite long and quite woody-astringend. Very harmonious for this young age.
Review by Wernie
Most helpful mixed review
Was für eine Granate, und das nach einjähriger Lagerung. Der macht die Nase frei.😀 Eine Ester/Fruchtbombe und am Gaumen dann die schwere Holzkeule die zu nah am Lagerfeuer lag. Die 65Umdrehungen lassen sich nicht verbergen und hauen voll rein, dafür ein recht kurzer Abgang.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Mega rocket stuff. Top price-performance ratio and also great in a mai tai or rum sour with red wine float! Absolutely terrific how smooth, complex and delicious it is at only 2y and 65%. For me, one of the best mhoba rums on the market for years.
Review by Christian Rudt
I have blind tasted actually held for much older. Found him rather dirty and clearly older and have him somewhere sorted in the direction of Caroni. From nut nougat cream I noticed today nix, that comes only now slowly😅Evaluation has only confirmed. Great what great rums are still being re-bottled today 🙂 One year aging. 65%. Gross. Nut nougat cream (no advertising) aromas, banana, pineapple. Ester slightly less than on the nose. A dry and exceedingly complex finish.I repeat One year aging. For this just VERY GOOD
Review by Timo Groeger
Wow, a really great Mhoba here. The nose is definitely very woody, and traces of ester can also be detected. The palate is also quite woody, with light notes of caramel, agricole and leather. Alcohol perfectly integrated. Super.
Review by zabo
Mhoba Night For me the craziest of the ones I tried today. Edit: After trying a few more from Mhoba, I think this is one of the best that has been bottled. The others didn't really convince me.
Review by jonathan.p🇫🇷
A powerful nose in the solvents, the wood, then in mouth it takes all the papillae at once! Immediately chocolate, then spices, leather with a vegetable side. It is still strong! I then tried with a dash of water or I can identify the banana to caramel. I find the end funky in the spices. It is for me very successful! But we can feel too much the 65%!
Review by Chrischi78
An extremely exciting and intense nose - rich in esters, yet somewhat more bitter and chocolaty than typical Jamaican rums. Notes of leather and caramel are added on the palate. The finish is long, warm and persistent, with a hint of coconut at the end. A great mhoba!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#5292 01.05.2025 Running some samples while watching the TV Series "Reacher". Nose Round, medium intense, fruity, orange, light caramel, light cinnamon, light wood. Palate Oily, fresh, round, medium intense, light wood, fruity, light orange, light cinnamon, light raisin, light tobacco. Finish Medium to long, light wood, light orange, light tobacco, light chocolate, light cardamom. Empty glass Vanilla, light cinnamon, orange, light dried fruit, light chocolate.
Review by Martin Augustin
A very interesting and intense aroma hits you. Lots of Esther, just a little more bitter and chocolaty than the Jamaican. Leather and caramel are added in the mouth. Long, warm finish. A little coconut at the end. Great mhoba.
Review by Righrum
Not so good, Sharp in taste, it's typical Mhoba but with some negative traits especially some bitterness. Usual mix of esters and wood/caramel, with almost no effect from the french cask maybe due to the young age of the rum.
Review by MarcT
First Tasting here: This one is the better of the two Mhoba I am just tasting. Creamy, fruity, complex, very well integrated alcohol... First thing when tasting was "hm, rotten apples", but never got why. Interesting. I has something it's Sibling does not have, which I attribute to the French Cask, and it improves the Rum. Very good. Second Tasting: still good, still better. Putting it on my wishlist...
Review by Gregor
After I tried the white overproof from the distillery and was thrilled I saw that this one was inside in the calendar of the Rum Club. So bottle opened and app opened. And what can I say. In the smell it reminded me strongly of a blend of Barbados (glue) and Jamaica (ester). In the taste then but dry with typical things like caramel and chocolate with a small touch of Agricole. So the distillery I will definitely keep an eye on really nice things that come out of South Africa
Review by Serge
Tasted with Habitation Velier. I gave the HV although one point more, because the alcohol is better eingwbunden in my opinion and he also comes along a little creamier and fatter. However, these two are really very close to each other and do not give each other much in terms of taste. Noteworthy when you consider that the here was only 2 years in the barrel. For me, the PLV winner but still a close Punlt behind. Both more than worthwhile 😍
Review by Tim
Quite offensive smell with ester at the beginning. After a while in the glass, the alcohol then fades and more floral and caramel notes shine through. Then the chocolate takes over. Very complex! A mix of Jamaica and Agricole?! Very spicy, sharp and dry in the mouth, with mostly dark bitter chocolate lingering. 65% I find too violent, which is why I add some water. Special rum experience, definitely!
Review by Tschusikowsky
Rum X Easter 19.4.22: Very challenging the thing. In the nose I find the little appealing. At the beginning very one-dimensional. With time, more but very special scents come to it. Wood, roast, chocolate, soapy, copper, metallic. Later floral notes, discreet hemp🤔 tobacco and cardboardIn the mouth then woody, blackberry, green apple, red fruit, melon, chocolate, spice, tobacco. Finish very dry, kiwi, dirty notes.I have no idea what this profile is. At first I thought it must be something French, since the ABV is relatively low in relation to the power in the mouth and finish.After a little thought I go out on a limb and claim that it is a low-volume and also younger (10/12 years) Caroni 🙃
Review by Jussi Piirainen
On the nose: Fresh, mellow intensity. Interesting combination of ester, sugarcane and dark fruits/grapes coming from the red wine cask. Taste: Woody,spicy,peppery, roasted and agricole notes. Some sweetness from caramel. Mouthfell is creamy and dry. Overripe pineapple notes here and there. Nicely balanced. Finish: Dry, chocolate notes, woody notes. Quite complex finish. Medium-long finish. Absolutely lovely. Very balanced and rich. Good cask choice.
Review by Émile Shevek
Al naso aceto, mais inscatolato, arrostito/tostato, frutta (banana e agrumi), maturati, solvente e un tocco di sakè. Al palato solvente, aglio, mais inscatolato, cicoccolato, frutta e bosco speziato. Finale poco persistente, speziato. con qualche estere e castagne. Purtroppo non è il genere di profilo che mi piace bere in un agricolo, se non ci fosse il sapore dell'aglio avrebbe superato tranquillamente i 75, degustibus
Review by Joe95
A pure powerful cane juice. The nose joins the mouth without surprise. The esters are well present. A unique rum which is really out of the ordinary. The length is a bit short. A bit young but very nice for the price.
Review by Joël
Unbelievable what has already been achieved here with just one year of maturation. Top! Always a pleasure in a glass. I'm not usually a fan of woody flavors, but I don't mind them here. Alcohol perfectly integrated.
Review by Djehey
Tasted again 2 years later. Uh... Is it really the same rum ??? It's just a ball ! We drink a flamed caramelized tire!
Review by Skyfly
Schöner Mhoba mit deutlich mehr Fruchtanteil als erwartet. In Nase bis Abgang primär holzig und karamelllastig zeigt diesera Rum doch sehr unterschiedliche Nuacen. Tropische Früchte, dunkle Schokolade und Schwarztee prägen hier die Feinoten aus - einfach köstlich
Review by Johannes
Really fun! Beautiful esters that go in the direction of Jamaica, but at the same time a fruit basket of an Agricole.
Review by Boletus
Mhoba simply makes great distillates. I am always impressed by how full-bodied and creamy these very young rums develop in the mouth, without being stingy with esters. The red wine influence is only subtly present here and only really comes through very late in the long, dry finish. Very tasty!
Review by Michael Janek
vůně musí počkat až vyvoní alkohol, pak je cítit jemná vanilka po napiti sillny nástup, ale pak odezni a nasladla chuť je dobry ho nechat v puse a počkat, až se začne projevovat - masakr pozor - potom cichat k prázdné sklenicce
Review by Frank
This Mhoba comes pleasantly fresh to the nose, have as first lemon balm and caution some currant, plus clearly nail polish remover. Behind the lemony also resonates a caramel sweetness paired with soft chestnut. I find something green, herbal, spicy-woody. Interesting on the palate. I do have clear esters at first, followed by herbs and caramel. In fruit, I find date and plum. It follows something covered fruit bread and gingerbread, then again something towards saffron or sesame.In the finish grassy and lovage Really tasty and good!
Review by Thunderbird
And again another flavor profile..a very spicy intense Mhoba, very tasty! If the alcohol would be a little better integrated he would have earned a better rating
Review by Filip Šikula
My first experience with mhoba, my first fresh juice and I felt like I bought a bottle that was spoiled. I didn't let go and tried 2cl every week, and once I tried it with other sugercans I found it was actually very good.
Review by Jan Riha
Super rum with a long finish, which warms and is terribly mild for a strength of 65
Review by Roman Lelek
My wife said - is it still rum or you drink something else? The nose - full of esters and by that I mean a lot. Then fruits and woody tones. It reminds me Jamaica young white rums. The pallet - thanks to esters very complex- warm with tones of apricots, wood and even if it has 60% it’s not rough..but very nice balance. Personal note - if you want to try something different than you drink normally, then go for it. I agree with others in comments - one of greatest Mhoba rums, looking forward next one.
Review by Lukáš Jarník
Silný nástup následne jemné. Dobrá chuť
Review by Adrien B
Belle gourmandise tout en étant exubérant. M a fait penser à un Fidji avec ce côté cuir neuf, frais et lourd à la fois, amené par le fût, griotte. Très très sympa.
Review by Harald
Geruch: Frucht-Ester zu Beginn, dann überraschend süßlich und mild mit Sandelholz, grasigen Zuckerrohr sowie Karamell Aromen. Geschmack: Cremig mild im Mund mit einer leichten Süße und fruchtigen Mango Aromen. Wiird dann immer schärfer und alkoholischer. Beim Schlucken sehr würzig und trocken. Dabei holzig mit Karamellnoten. Abgang: Mittellang, trocken, würzig und holzig. Wie zu lange gezogener schwarzer Tee, deshalb auch leicht bitter. Fazit: Lecker! Nach den beiden weissen Rums von Mhoba hatte ich mir aber noch mehr erwartet. Ist mir etwas zu würzig und zu wenig fruchtig.
Review by DUBOIS Arnaud
Au début on a de puissante note de vernis à ongle après l’aération on trouve un rhum pur jus avec une grosse gourmandise. Mon Mhoba préféré.
Review by John Coffey
À ne pas mettre entre toutes les mains celui-ci. Le côté chocolat est une réussite par contre l'alcool est mal intégré
Review by Piotr Ignasiak
I love the strong Agricole base of this paired with a funky package. Very round for the age.
Review by Stefan L
260321: Great Mhoba and I got to taste it again at Jockes place.
Review by Ondrej Czinege
Ostřejší ale po chvíli se chuť rozlezi - slehacka
Review by Lot-NAS
A really nice Mhoba. Not too complex but on the other hand there are no off-Notes either. I couldn’t find their typical banana which I really love but nevertheless I find this dram really smooth and balanced and even better than the 2019FC3 I just recently emptied.
Review by Ian Gilman
An amazing expression from South Africa. Wow with the funny brininess that I love and some chocolate or sweetness.
Review by Tomáš Jankovský
Beautiful strong South African rum. Agricole with a whiff of sugar cane and wood. The taste is spicy and chocolate melts on the tongue.
Review by ElReyTristan
Nez très interressant,Funky, pas mal d’Esther, de fruits exotiques notamment banane. En bouche on retrouve le côté Funky presque Hampden que j’adore, l’alcool est plutôt bien intégré je trouve même si ça déménage en effet. Dommage simplement que la longueur en bouche soit plutôt courte et pas trop élaboré. Ce qui reflète un peu plus son âge que le nez hyper flatteur par rapport à sa jeunesse.
Review by julie
A Mhoba bomb! An explosion of flavour, fruit, dark bitter chocolate, grass?! Very funky on the edge of being overdate… it’s definitely one of the wildest rums I have ever tried and need some more time to process this one.
Review by ThiloTSC
Very pleasant & interesting solvent note, salty-sweet with cumin, soy sauce, tomato extract & black pepper, TOP integrated alcohol, short dry finish
Review by Vít Jurka
Dobre trochu vanilka ocasek
No reviews match this filter.
Expert reviews
Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by Single Cask Rum
Read full review →
Expert review by Rum Diaries Blog
Read full review →
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
Avg. community purchase price 97 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019
A Pot Still Rum from South Africa, distilled by MHOBA, at 65%.
Old Fashioned with Rum
Recipe, history, and four builds from a bar professional: why the ur-cocktail gets bigger with rum, with a video to mix along.
Read more →Community purchases
133 bottles logged by 122 collectors.
A drinker's rum.
38% opened, 19 emptied and repurchased.
What does MHOBA Select Reserve French Cask Rum 2019 cost?
Community paid 75–118 €.
Current best price: 99.90 € – within the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
+16 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
133 purchased · 165 tasted · 136 wishlist · as of
About the MHOBA distillery
The MHOBA distillery is located in South Africa. Rums from MHOBA have been reviewed 2,493 times with an average of 8.2/10.
To MHOBA →Read on in the RumX Guide
You may also enjoy
Rum enthusiasts who like this rum have also given the following rums high ratings:
Habitation Velier MHOBA 2017
Habitation Velier MHOBA 2017Funky, buttery cask-strength South African pot still
MHOBA Select Reserve Glass Cask Rum 2019
MHOBA Select Reserve Glass Cask Rum 2019Funky, oaky South African pot-still at full proof
MHOBA WR 10 (Kirsch Whisky) 2019
MHOBA WR 10 (Kirsch Whisky) 2019Oily, glue-heavy Mhoba with big bourbon cask
Hampden Great House (Distillery Edition 2021)
Hampden Great House (Distillery Edition 2021)Fruity, funky Hampden that drinks smooth
Elixir Distillers of London Black Tot Rum Master Blender's Reserve 2021
Elixir Distillers of London Black Tot Rum Master Blender's Reserve 2021Fruity, complex TDL-heavy navy sipper
Habitation Velier Long Pond STC❤️E 2019
Habitation Velier Long Pond STC❤️E 2019Young, wild high-ester Long Pond
Never miss a price drop.
Set a target price in the app, and we'll let you know as soon as the rum becomes available at that price from one of our partner stores. This works for any rum on your wish list.
Oliver · FounderBy rum lovers, for rum lovers
I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
What began as my digital tasting diary is now the world's most comprehensive platform for rum fans, today carried by a small team with Jakob, Lukas and Katharina, with Robert supporting us as a freelancer. We combine the collective intelligence of our community with an integrated marketplace, so you can choose with confidence, without paperwork, detours, or expert jargon.
Oliver, Stuttgart
About RumX →YouTube channel (in German)
