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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

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Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 19, 2012

The Plantation 20th Anniversary Rum is a blending of the company’s oldest Bajan Rum reserves. These selected rums were first aged in the Caribbean (in ex-bourbon casks). Then they are transported to France to be blended by Plantation Rum’s Cellar Master at Château de Bonbonnet. The blended rum is matured a second time in small French oak casks for another 12 to 18 months. This “double aging” gives rise to a startling increase in both the body of the rum and its complexity, and is the signature of Cognac Ferrand’s Plantation Rum portfolio.

I was sent a sample bottle of the Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum by Cognac Ferrand for the purpose of a review here on my website. Here is an excerpt from that review:

“… The rum has the rich colour of copper pennies in the glass. The initial nose surprised me a little with its strong oaky presence and luscious smells of caramel and toasted coconut. Some nice orange marmalade chimes in as well as hints of marzipan and tobacco. As the glass sits, rich baking spices full of dark brown sugar, vanilla, and dabbles of cinnamon and nutmeg rise into the breezes. Then the oak wells up again and pours out of the glass. I love the aroma, and I could sit for hours just nosing the glass without taking a sip…. “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

Although this is a great rum suitable for sipping I could not resist recommending a divine cocktail suitable for such a sipping rum, the El Padrino.

Please Enjoy my review and do try the cocktail suggestion at the end, cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Barbados Rum

Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Rum – A Monumental Spirit

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 17, 2012

The press release from Appleton Estate Rum begins as follows:

“… Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is proud to announce the release of a world first in Rum, the very rare Limited Edition Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve  

Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve comprises rums that have been aged for a minimum of 50 years in hand selected, oak barrels and it is believed to be the oldest rum available for sale in the world. Only 800 bottles of this very rare, Limited Edition bottling will be made available for sale around the world at a target Retail Price of US$5,000 per 750ml bottle…”

Wow… Five Thousand Dollars a Bottle!?

You may read my (somewhat controversial) thoughts on this new release here:

Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Rum – A Monumental Spirit

Cheers Everyone!

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

For Father’s Day – Ten Rums You Should Avoid

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 14, 2012

Earlier this week I gave everyone a few recommendations for their Father’s Day purchases; I thought it only fair that I also list a few of the rum purchase decisions you should avoid. This is a list of sugar-cane based spirits which will help to empty your wallet, but will leave your Dad scratching his head in bewilderment. I have posted this list before, and it proved to be somewhat controversial. It seems that some of my choices are actually well-loved by some of my readers. If I have slighted one of your favourites please chime in with a comment to defend your rum of choice. But, having said that, I must confess, that these are anything but my rums of choice. These are my regrets, and I publish this list in hopes that I can help you avoid a regret or two this Father’s Day.

And so without further ado, here are…the Ten Rums you should avoid.

These Rums Ain’t Pretty… They just look that way!

Here is the video that inspired the original posting…..

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Posted in Dark Rums, Flavouerd Rums, Howls, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , | Comments Off on For Father’s Day – Ten Rums You Should Avoid

For Father’s Day – Great Rum on a Budget

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 12, 2012

Yesterday I posted a great list of budget-priced Canadian Whiskies suitable for Father’s Day. Today, I am posting a similar list, for those who would prefer rum over whisky. Again, the list is qualified as being only those rums which can be found for under $30.00 in my locale, and those which I personally would love to receive as a Father’s Day Gift.

And so in no particular order, I give you my list of 12 great budget priced rums suitable for Father’s Day. Beside each rum is the approximate price here in Edmonton.
(You may click each selection to read my reviews of each particular rum if you wish.)

Screech (Famous Newfoundland Screech Rum)    ($22.99)

Appleton Estate Reserve    ($29.95)

El Dorado 5 Yr Cask Aged Rum     ($29.95)

Lemon Hart 151 Demerara Rum   ($24.95)

Flor de Caña Grand Reserve 7 Year Old    ($29.95)

Bermudez Ron Viejo Blanco   ($24.95)

Mount Gay Eclipse (Gold)     ($24.95)

Diplomático Añejo    ($27.99)

Amrut Old Port Deluxe    ($24.95)

Angostura Royal Oak     ($22.95)

3 Barrel Aged Rum (Travellers)     ($29.95)

El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged Demerara Rum    ($28.95)

Happy shopping!

Cheers and Happy Father’s Day!


Posted in Dark Rums, Howls, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Review: Old Lahaina Gold Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 10, 2012

Just before last Christmas some friends of mine visited Hawaii. Because they are friends, and they know I like to try rums from different parts of the world, they brought back a bottle of rum for me called Old Lahaina Gold Rum from Maui Distillers. It is an authentic Hawaiian rum made from sugar and molasses from Hawaii’s HC&S Maui Plantation.

Maui Distillers was originally conceived in 1999, and the work to build a distillery within the site of the Old Paia Sugar Mill began in 2003. In 2009, the new distillery was producing rum which was sold throughout the state of Hawaii. According to the distillers website, their rum is produced on two 500 gallon, steam fired, Badger “pot stills”, which were originally constructed in 1946. One of these stills has been fitted with a “multi-tray fractioning column”, and this still is used to produce their base rum.

This Old Lahaina Gold Rum is described as both a mixer and a sipper on the Maui Distillers Website

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… Caramel and toffee lead out with a light spiciness that heats up the mouth just a little. I taste a light influence of cinnamon and tobacco as well as imprints of charred sugars…”

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Old Lahaina Gold Rum

I have included a nice cocktail with the review which I call, the Chinook.

Please enjoy the review and my cocktail recipe!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Old Lahaina Gold Rum

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