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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

Review: Atlantico Gran Reserva Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 12, 2023

When I first encountered Atlantico Rum, the brand had just launched, and I was fortunate enough to be treated to an information session hosted by Brandon Lieb, of the Atlantico Importing Company.  I was also treated to a tasting where I was able to try their only rum in production at that point, Atlantico Private Cask as well as two rums which were still in development at that time, a premium white rum and an anejo rum. Today line-up consists of 3 rums, the Altantico Platino, Altantico Reserva, and that previously mentioned Altantico Private Cask(I suspect the Reserva and the Platino respectively were early versions of those rums I tasted over a decade ago.)

It appears the brand ownership has changed  a little during the intervening years. Up until three years ago Atlantico was part of Ian Macleod Distillers‘ portfolio of spirits. It is unclear to me whether the brand has been acquired by another spirit’s company after Ian Macleod released its control; however the spirit is still sold at various internet retail sites and is often included in sample form in those Christmas Advent Calendars that are sold during the holiday season.

Here is a link to my full review and tasting notes for Atlantico Gran Reserva Rum:

Review: Atlantico Gran Reserva Rum

“… fine oak and somewhat grassy tobacco spice, some lovely marzipan and a touch of maple forming as well. The rum appears rich and somewhat sweet. This is a typical characteristic of solero style rums …”

Please enjoy the review, and stay tuned for my examination of the Atlantico Platino which will publish in a few short weeks.  Chimo!

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Review: Cane Island Panama Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 5, 2023

Cane Island is a rum brand owned by Infinity Spirits, who appear to be based in Amsterdam. The Cane Island Brand showcases rums which are sourced from iconic Island rum nations in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world. Each one of these countries has a long history of rum production with their own styles and traditions. The rum selections consist of Single Island Blends and Single Estate Rums. The Single Island Blends are blends of rum coming from different distilleries from one island, whereas the Single Estate Rums are sourced from one single distillery.  

According to the company website, Cane Island Panama Rum was distilled at the Varela Rum Distillery in Panama. The spirit is column distilled from molasses and tropically matured in ex-bourbon casks for 3 to 8 years before being bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review and tasting notes:

Review: Cane Island Panama Rum

“… Butterscotch, fine oak spice, almond and orange peel complimented by vanilla and light baking spices (ginger and cinnamon). Perhaps I also notice a mild impression of coconut although it seems to disappear as quickly as it appears. As the glass breathes, the butterscotch, almond and vanilla merge together giving me a sense of marzipan …”

I hope you enjoy this review which includes my serving suggestion, The Railcar.

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Review: St-Roc Foundation Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 19, 2023

The Distillerie de Québec was founded several years ago by Christophe Légasse and David Lévesque, who are committed towards creating fine spirits with a regional (Quebec) taste. Theirs is one of many new micro-distilleries which have begun to proliferate the landscape of the North American Distilling industry. They have created a small portfolio of spirits that has began to penetrate the Canadian market which include Cap Diamant VodkaTrait-Carré Dry and Aged Gins, and the subject of this review, Rhum St-Roc Foundation.

St-Roc Foundation is a British style amber rum produced from organic cane sugar as well as molasses. The rum is twice distilled and then aged in ex-bourbon barrels in the aging cellars of La Distillerie de Québec. The final rum is a blend of one to three year old aged rums with no sugar or colouring added. According to the distillery, this rum is meant to be a tribute to Quebec City’s St-Roc Distillery which was founded in the 18th century, which marked the birth of the distilling industry in Canada.

Review: St-Roc Foundation Rum

“… initial notes of grassy hay fields, vanilla, almond and light butterscotch. Somewhere in that grassy hay field there must be flowers as their is also a light indication of florals and pollen. Pears and fresh straw are somewhere in that mix as well. There is just a touch of rough and tumble in the breezes with indications of resin, and a funky note which must be a feature of the small still distillation …”

This is my first look at the spirits of the Distillerie de Québec. I will be traversing their line-up over the next couple of weeks looking at their gins and vodka.

Chimo!

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Big Black Dick – It Comes in Different Flavours

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 12, 2023

A way back in September of 2010, I was invited to join a local rum club called The First Chapter of the Edmonton Rum Chums. The purpose of the club was to have a group of like minded individuals get together about once a month exploring the wide diversity within the world of rum. I have to admit that I was not prepared for what I was to happen at that first meeting, for it was at that gathering that I had my first taste of Big Black Dick!  The Dark Rum that originated on the Cayman Islands of course.

Of course I wrote a review of Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum on my website soon after my experience with the strange spirit. The review soon became somewhat infamous, leaving my fans speechless, and bringing a whole new group of curious persons to my website.

Recently I revisited the review, updated it with some current information regarding its provenance, and adding the important information that it now comes in six different flavours: Light, Dark, Vanilla, Coconut, White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate.

Here is a link to my updated review:

Review: Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum

“… Big Black Dick ha a dark bronze colour. There is a scent of pungent smoke and lurking leathery tobacco with burnt molasses scents. Sugary baking spices, dried fruit (raisins and prunes), allspice and cloves all find their way out of the glass and into my nostrils …”

Enjoy the review, but remember I have only reviewed one flavour, it comes in six different flavours!

Chimo!

 

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Review: Roble Viejo Maestro

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 11, 2023

The rum which goes by the name Roble Viejo Maestro was for myself quite an enigma. If you clicked on the link to the Ron Roble website and looked around, you will find no mention of this rum. And … when I first tasted it several years ago, I could find no reference to the rum anywhere online.  That was three years ago.  Since then, it has started appearing on several retail websites, and has even garnered a few reviews on websites like Masters of Malt and Ram Ratings.

I decided that it was finally time to add my thoughts to the online world. Here is a link to my review:

Review: Roble Viejo Maestro

“… Oak spices build just a little mixing with light baking spices (cinnamon and vanilla), a light almond like nuttiness is present as is a fine spicy updraft of alcohol and wood spice. …”

Chimo! (And its good to be back!)

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Roble Viejo Maestro