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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

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Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 4, 2012

Drum Circle Distilling is a small artisan distillery located in Sarasota, Florida. Their distillation system was crafted for the distillery by Christian Carl, a German company which has been producing distillation systems for over 150 years. Working directly with Christian Carl, Drum Circle Distilling was able to custom design a small-batch copper still (which can be run as a simple pot still or with a side column) which they believe is perfect for making great tasting rum. This distillation system operates in a 6400 square foot work space which also includes barrel racks for aging, as well as labeling and bottling stations. At this Florida distillery the spirits are hand-crafted from beginning to end in a batch style production cycle from Florida grown sugar cane.

I was sent a sample of the Siesta Key Gold Rum for the purpose of a review upon my website. After a somewhat tortuous journey my sample arrived a few weeks ago.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The immediate nose brings forward sweet butterscotch, orange peel, almond and vanilla. I allowed the glass to breathe a few minutes, and noticed that a few oak spices had entered the breezes with a few scattered baking spices… “

Here is a link to the full review;

Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

I have include a couple of recipes which work well with the rum, the Celebration Cocktail and my own Sloe Lime Daiquiri.

Please enjoy my review, and the cocktails that follow!

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Siesta Key Dark Rum

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 27, 2012

Ron Zacapa Rums are made from sugar cane harvested in southern Guatemala, which is pressed into virgin sugar cane honey, a process unique to the Guatemalan style of rum production. This liquid is then fermented, distilled and taken to the mountains for aging, where the flavor of the rums is further refined through the premium aging process known as Sistema Solera.

The Ron Zacapa Centenario XO is blended from these solera aged stocks which range in age from 6 years to 25 years.  These stocks were aged in special cellars more than 7000 feet above sea level. The solera barrels are a mixture of reused American Bourbon, Sherry, Pedro Ximenez wines, and Cognac barrels. The combination of solera aging and the wide variety of reused barrels creates a highly complex rum with a rich aroma and flavour.

I recently received a Ron Zacapa Tasting Kit in the mail which for me was the perfect excuse to revisit my previously published review for the Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….Richness and luxury ooze from the nose of this sweet nectar. Scents of mild toffee and spice combined with a rich oak and vanilla aroma rise from the glass to the delight of my nostrils. There seems to be a light orange citrus weaving through the aroma. The spices I can identify by smell are vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg with just a hint of cloves…”

You may link to the full review here:

Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

BTW:  The review includes a decadent cocktail called The Royal Batiste.

Cheers Everyone.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ron Zacapa XO (25 Year Solero) Rum

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 19, 2012

It was about a year ago that I was contacted by the fellows tho are responsible for Dictador Rum, and was asked if I would like to review their new Dictador XO Perpetual. This new rum sounded intriguing, and I was curious about the how the Dictador XO Rum might differ from the Dictador 12 and Dictador 20 Year Solera rums which I had already tasted and reviewed. I agreed to receive a sample and when it arrived, I found this statement on the plastic protective sleeve which slides over the box that houses the XO Perpetual.

” … The Dictador XO Solera System Rum is elaborated from the fermentation of unique virgin honey of sugar cane, then distilled in antique copper pot alembic then is aged in very high end pre-used oak barrels from 3 cardinal points… “

Additional statements on the Dictador website speak to a difference in the aging regimen used for the XO rums. Although the information is not specific, it appears that the major difference is in the oak selected. The intent seems to be to create a different flavour profile for the Dictador XO. As a result, the XO Rums (the Insolent and the Perpetual) promise to offer a new taste experience for the rum connoisseur.

The Dictador website also explains that the Dictador Rum are produced in Colombia, more exactly, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias City. These rums are based upon an international marketing concept, combining the traditions of Colombian rum making with Japanese bottle designs and European packaging and marketing.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Dictador XO Perpetual has a beguiling quality in the glass. The initial scents are aromatic and fruity. I sense a wonderful butterscotch sweetness underneath a bouquet of oak and baking spices (vanilla, brown sugars, and cinnamon). Orange peel wells out of the glass, but if you are patient the orange peel soon melds with the butterscotch to give the air a lovely impression of marmalade …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Please enjoy the review, and my cocktail suggestion, the Rum Old Fashioned!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 29, 2012

The Renegade Barbados Rum (Black Rock 2000) from the Renegade Rum Company was aged for 8 years in American Oak (bourbon) casks at the West Indies Rum Refinery (also known as Black Rock Distillery because of it’s location in Black Rock, St. Michael, Barbados). This distillery was established in 1893 by the German Stade Brothers who are known for introducing the first continuous column still to the Caribbean. The Barbados Renegade Rum was first distilled in a column still, and then double distilled in a pot still. It was then ‘enhanced’ for another period of time, at the Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland, in Martinez Port Casks. The Rum is bottled in the 700 ml squat decanter style bottle shown below at 46 percent alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The nose of the glass is very nice with a pronounced ‘fruity’ accent (baked apples, baked pears and gooseberry jam) which really smells nice against the backdrop of the butterscotch and vanilla notes from the rum. Deeper down I catch smells which remind me of tobacco and almond, and I even sense a little marmalade… “

You may read the full review here: 

Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Please enjoy my review.. Cheers!

 

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 24, 2012

Photo Courtesy of Lance Surujbally (All rights reserved!)

Ron Barceló was founded in 1930 under the name Barceló & Co in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The rum brand quickly grew in popularity growing into one of the largest in the Dominican, and the brand is now exported world-wide to over 20 countries.

The Company advertises five indicators of quality which govern their production:

  • Only the finest sugar cane produced in the Dominican Republic is used.
  • All of our rums age in oak barrels from Kentucky that have been used to age Bourbon Whisky.
  • Constant research efforts by our Master Blenders lead us to the best possible blends.
  • Achieving a perfect combination of body character, great performance and exquisite bouquet.
  • Using the industry’s leading distilling technology with the age-old artisan knowledge of our local experts, heirs to a long tradition of excellence in rum production.

I reviewed this rum almost three years ago, and recently acquired a new bottle. I decided to go back and see if the rum, or my perception of it had improved after three years.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I allow the glass to breathe some of that initial harshness evaporates into the breezes, and I detect some notes of caramel, banana peel, and tobacco. However, the burnt brown sugar notes still tend to dominate the rum… “

You may read my full review by clicking the link below:

Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

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