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Archive for the ‘Rum Reviews’ Category

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Review: El Dorado 5 Year Cask Aged Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 29, 2018

The Diamond Distillery sits on the East Bank of the Demerara River near Georgetown, Guyana. The Distillery, originally attached to the now closed Diamond Sugar Estate, is home to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

According to the El Dorado Website, the El Dorado 5 Year Cask Aged Rum obtains unique character comes from the blending of traditional aged rums from the Uitvlugt Savalle Still and one of the most famous Coffey stills in the entire world, The EHP Wooden Still or Wooden Continuous Coffey. In my past writings I have stated that I consider the EHP Wooden Coffey Still to be one of the Great Wonders of the Rum World. It was constructed in 1880 at the Enmore Estate (over 130 years ago), and it continues to operate at the Diamond Distillery today.The use of these ancient stills ensures that the Demerara Rum produced at DDL’s Diamond Distillery is unlike anything produced anywhere else in the world. (For more information on the unique Heritage Stills in operation at the Diamond distillery you may read my first hand account here (Diamond Distillery Tour).

Here is a link to my recently revised review:

Review: El Dorado 5 Year Cask Aged Rum

“… As soon as the bottle was opened, I noticed a firm aroma of coarse toasted brown sugar with hints of baking spices (vanilla and cinnamon) in the merry little breezes above the bottle. As the bottle was poured the glass, the slightly bitter smell of oak tannins and wood sap joined in. As I allowed the glass to breathe the oaken smells seemed to meld with the brown sugar and baking spices. There were indications of toasted coconut, almond, as well as some orange peel and banana: however these indications appear as mere accents upon the dominant characteristics of oak, rummy dark brown sugar and baking spice …”

Please enjoy the revised review which contains fuller descriptions of the spirit, its heritage, and no less than three suggested servings.

Chimo!

 

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Review: Jamaican Lion Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 22, 2018

Jamaica Lion Rums are produced and bottled by Royal Jamaica Rums who are headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. Royal Jamaican Rums originated at the Monymusk distillery which is one of the oldest plantations on the Island of Jamaica. It is located on the south side of Jamaica in St. Catherine ‘s Town, and has been producing Rum since the 18th century.

Jamaica Lion Dark Rum is imported into the USA by International Distillers and Vinters who are situated in Everett, Washington. My sample bottle arrived to me via a good friend who recently traveled to Jamaica. He purchased the bottle at one of the Duty Free shops on his way home and brought it over to share with me after his vacation. The Dark Rum is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Jamaican Lion Dark Rum

“… The flavour is similar to a mixture of vanilla extract, treacle and light molasses. (In case you are wondering dark treacle has a flavour resembling charred caramel with a slightly bitter aftertaste.) Although it was not apparent on the nose, there is a light oak spiciness apparent …”

Please enjoy my review!

Chimo!

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Review: Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 15, 2018

Jamaica Lion Rums are produced and bottled by Royal Jamaica Rums who are headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. Royal Jamaican Rums originated at the Monymusk distillery which is one of the oldest plantations on the Island of Jamaica. It is located on the south side of Jamaica in St. Catherine ‘s Town, and has been producing Rum since the 18th century.

Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum is imported into the USA by International Distillers and Vinters who are situated in Everett, Washington. My sample bottle arrived to me via a good friend who recently traveled to Jamaica. He purchased the bottle at one of the Duty Free shops on his way home and brought it over to share with me after his vacation.

Review: Jamaica Lion Spiced Rum

“… The breezes above the glass indicate to me that vanilla is at the forefront of this rum which also carries aromas of treacle and lightly sweet butterscotch. There are indications of of other spices meandering the air, some cinnamon and ginger, with perhaps a hint of cloves,  coriander and nutmeg as well …”

Please enjoy my review and my cocktail suggestion which follows.

Chimo!

“

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Review: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 8, 2018

Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum is a brand of Jamaican Dark Rum founded by Cris Blackwell (founder of Island Records) and Richard Kirshenbaum (advertising executive and CEO of NSGSWAT). Their rum is apparently produced by J. Wray and Nephew from a recipe developed by Chris Blackwell (with the help of Appleton Estate’s Master Blender Joy Spence. This dark rum is based on a family recipe which hails from the time the Lindo family (who happen to be related directly to Blackwell on his Mother’s side) owned J. Wray & Nephew.

According to the Blackwell Rum website:

The Blackwell family recipe is an original fusion of traditional ‘heavy pot’ dark rum with a distinct “Black Gold” style that creates the perfect, elegant blend of depth, character and smoothness perfect for use in mixed drinks and on its own.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Dark Rum

“… The nose is quite different from other Jamaican dark rums I have tried. I was expecting a funky push of fragrant esters from the advertised ‘heavy pot’ rum in the blend, but instead I found the nose remarkable restrained. Aromas of treacle (dark almost burnt caramel) led out into the breezes followed by bits of orange peel and dark Cocoa. There are very light hits of dark licorice with some fried fruit …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a serving suggestion at the conclusion.

Chimo!

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Review: Ron Zacapa Ambar 12 Solera

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 1, 2018

Ron Zacapa rums are made from sugar cane harvested in southern Guatemala, which is pressed into virgin sugar cane honey. The fermentation process uses a yeast strain isolated from pineapples to transform sugars within the cane honey into alcohol. After fermentation, the fermented ‘wine’ is distilled in a single continuous column. (A distillation by-product called vinasse which contains the fermented must, yeast and other non-fermentable products which are rich in sugars and minerals is recycled and used to nourish and irrigate the Guatemalan sugar cane fields.)

Zacapa rums are matured using a complicated process they call ‘Sistema Solero’. The subject of my review, Ron Zacapa Ambar 12, is produced from rums which range in age from 4 years to 12 years. The combination of high altitude aging and the variety of reused oak barrels creates a complex rum with a rich aroma and flavour. This rum is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume, and available through the duty-free trade (at major airports).

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Ron Zacapa Ambar 12 Solera

“… The rum has a light mouthfeel with flavours of butterscotch and vanilla mingling with wood spices. Orange peel, almond and cinnamon round out the initial flavour impressions which are a firm reflection of the nose. I allowed the rum to breathe for several minutes to see if the flavour would develop further. I was rewarded with a deepening of the wood spices as well as a movement of the flavours of orange peel and almond towards marmalade and marzipan …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my suggested serving, the 8 P.M. Daiquiri.

Chimo!

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