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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

Review: Whaler’s Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 26, 2013

Whalers Original Dark bottle shotA few weeks back, I contacted the distributor for Blackheart Spiced Rum with a view towards providing a review here on my website. It turned out Heaven Hill Distilleries, who own Blackheart Rum, also own Whaler’s Rum and the local importer, Diamond Estates, was hoping I would taste some Whaler’s Rum along with the Blackheart Spiced. I didn’t really know a lot about Whaler’s rum so I agreed to sample this “Hawaiian” style Rum. I say Hawaiian style, because Whaler’s takes great pride in letting everyone know that Whaler’s Rums are blended from old Hawaiian recipes. Their line-up includes three traditional rums, and five flavoured rums.

There is quite an interesting story behind the name of the Whaler’s Rums, and you can read that story as well as my review by clicking on the following excerpt:

Review: Whaler’s Dark Rum

“”… Usually these young dark rums are full of molasses and caramel which gives the rum a thickened syrupy look. The Whaler’s seems to be traveling a different path from what I was expecting. The breezes above the glass carry a significant amount of vanilla with the molasses and licorice scents taking a back seat to that vanilla …”

Of course the review includes a nice recipe which particularly well suited for the Whaler’s Dark Rum called the Mandeville.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail provided!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Whaler’s Dark Rum

Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 9, 2013

Atlantico Private CaskThe Atlantico Private Cask Rum is a private label rum produced by Oliver and Oliver,  for Atlantico Rum. (If you have not heard of Oliver and Oliver, I should explain that they are an independent bottler of rum operating in the Dominican Republic. They buy barreled rum from major rum producers, and age it using a solera style aging system.) Oliver and Oliver were apparently given a specific flavour profile to blend towards, and then working in conjunction with the Atlantico team, the Private Cask Rum was developed through a series of blending and tasting exercises. The result is a rum constructed to be a smooth easy to sip rum which is hoped will appeal to a wide variety of palates.

About two years ago, I was lucky enough to be treated to an information session hosted by Brandon Lieb, of the Atlantico Importing Company. I was allowed to sample their present offering, Atlantico Private Cask Rum, as well as sample some products which were in development. As their guest, I was given a bottle of the Atlantico Private Cask Rum after the presentation, and I decided to review the rum here on my website.

You may click on the review excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

“… I remembered that the Atlantico representatives I met in Miami described the rum which they constructed as a product which they hoped would be very easy for the new rum drinker to enjoy, somewhat of a gateway sipping rum for the uninitiated. It is meant to be smooth and easy to sip with a flavour profile to suit a wide variety of palates. In this regard the rum succeeds wildly. It is very smooth in its initial delivery, and the sweet caramel and honey notes will certainly be appreciated by a wide variety of persons …”

Please enjoy my review and do try my suggested recipe, the Atlantico Mule, which is of course a variation of the popular, Spanish Mule.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Atlantico Private Cask Rum

Review: Rum Nation Panama 18 Years (2010 Release)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 5, 2013

SAM_0623 Panama 18Panamanian rum from the Valera Hermanos Distillery has been bottled by Rum Nation since 1999. The 18-year-old rum from Panama is acquired in bulk from Valera Hermanos and shipped overseas to Italy for labeling and bottling. After the successful introduction of this bottling 13 years ago, the company has continued to purchase bulk rum from Panama with an annual production of roughly 6,000 bottles per year.

I was given a bottle of the 2010 release (bottled at 40 % abv.) for the purpose of this review by Crush Imports who distribute the Rum Nation line-up in my home Province of Alberta.

You may click on the excerpt to read the full review:

Review: Rum Nation Panama 18 Years (2010 Release)

” …The initial scent rising from the glass is full of butterscotch, cinnamon and cloves. A zesty wood spice arises as well giving the aroma a touch of brashness. As the glass breathes, I notice some brown sugar, vanilla, baking spices and roasted pecans all wandering through the breezes giving me a impressions of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. Some orange peel in the breezes, and a little dark tobacco keep the aroma spicy and interesting… “

Please enjoy this review of this very nice Panamanian Rum!

Note: For more reviews of the Rum Nation line-up you can follow these links:

Cheers!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 2, 2013

rum-plantation-guyana-bThe Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum is a pot-distilled, Demerara rum which is produced from molasses using an extra long fermentation period prior to distillation. The rum is first aged in Guyana in used bourbon barrels after which it is transported from Jamaica to France by Cognac Ferrand to be finished in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks.

Cognac Ferrand has long had a special relationship with a variety of Caribbean rum producers which is based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Based upon this relationship, Cognac Ferrand is able to acquire certain old and unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources, which they bring back to France and finish in their own warehouses and of course their own Cognac Casks. This Demerera Rum was one such unique batch of rum acquired by Cognac Ferrand. It was bottled at 42 % alcohol by volume as part of Cognac Ferrand’s growing line-up of Plantation Rum.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The initial nose from the glass is full of oak tannins which have been tainted with a woody spiciness, rich toffee,and orange peel. I smell light baking, an almond nuttiness, and a firm vanilla. I like the nose, it is spicy, and full of character…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Please enjoy the review and the wonderful cocktail suggestion (Comfortably Numb) I have suggested for this fine rum!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Guyana 1999 Rum

Review: Pyrat Rum XO Reserve

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 19, 2013

Pyrat_Rum_XO_ReservePyrat Rum is owned by Patrón Spirits, a company created in 1989 by John Paul DeJoria, and Martin Crowley. The company does not own a distillery, rather they act as a third-party company sourcing what they believe to be the best stocks for their products and blending them according to their own formulas. Recently I accepted a sample bottle of the Pyrat Rum XO Reserve provided through Select Wines and Spirits.

You may click on the following excerpt to read my full review:

Review: Pyrat Rum XO Reserve

“… The initial nose brings forward a candied orange/tangerine scent which immediately reminds me of Grand Marnier. The rum smells rather sweet and the nose has a light wine-like quality. Impressions of green grapes seem to be underneath. Further nosing of the rum brings reminders of lemons, butterscotch, and something spicy like cinnamon and cloves …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a delicious Orange Daiquiri recipe.

Cheers Everyone!

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