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Archive for the ‘Rum Reviews’ Category

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Rum Review: Bacardi Rum 8 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 25, 2010

For my introduction to this review I thought I would write a short history of the Bacardi Company.  I did a little research and realized very quickly that a “short’ introduction was impossible.  So I changed gears and wrote  instead a longer article called  “Ron Bacardi & Cuba – Turbulent Times” and published it “Extras” Section of my Blog  (And published previously on Rum Connection).  If you click on the article name you will be brought to the article.

One thought I would like to add, is that I went into this review fully expecting to dislike the Bacardi 8 Year Old.  It is, after all, quite fashionable to bash Bacardi and claim with a somewhat superior air that anything they make is for the masses, and therefore obviously inferior.  Let me say right up front that it is just that type of intellectual snobbery that made me pass up this wonderful rum for almost a year.  This rum doesn’t just break the stereotype I had in my head … it destroys it!!  Here is an except from my review:

“…. I could not help but notice that the delivery of the Bacardi 8 year old rum was very similar to the delivery of a really good whisky. I am not talking about flavours mind you, I am talking about style.  The rum carries a lovely light smoke, and a firm oak flavour which provides foundation and character.  This is not a sweet rum dripping with honey. It is a firm well oaked rum….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Bacardi Rum  8 Year Old Rum

Please enjoy the review and the cocktails added.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: Bacardi Rum 8 Year Old

Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 20, 2010

Photo Courtesy Rum Runner Imports

Hispaniola Mamajuana is a liqueur based upon a herb infused rum and wine drink called mamajuana which is indigenous to the Isle of Hispaniola (modern island of Dominican Republic and Haiti).  The original mamajuana was a medicinal drink whose roots reach back to the original inhabitants of Hispaniola, the Taino, (who Columbus mistakenly called Indians).  This original drink was more of a tea beverage made by boiling local roots and perhaps bark.  As the drink evolved, honey was added as a sweetener, and over time rum and wine were added and the drink became the mamajuana known on the Island today.

In doing my research on this unique product, I came across a few suggestions that the original drink has medicinal properties to help with everything from arthritis to toothaches.  But the most intriguing suggestion is that  it has the ability to increase potency in men, and desire in women.  It is playfully called ‘Viagra Dominica’ by its adherents.  This means my review should be most interesting as I, like you, am genuinely skeptical, but genuinely curious about Hispaniola Mamajuana.

Hispaniola Mamajuana is produced by  Mardi S.A. made from aged rum and honey as well as a secret recipe of over twenty different herbs and spices. It bottled at 30 % alcohol by volume.  My sample for this review was provided by Rum Runner Imports who are bringing the product to market in my home Province.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“….There seems to be a myriad of aromas trying to escape as soon as the glass is poured.  Anise,  woody herbs, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, honey, and faint airs of brown sugar all rise up in a stew of exotic aroma.  The nose is aggressive and almost seems medicinal with hints of menthol.  (I guess I should not be surprised as the original mamajuana is considered a medicine in folklore.)…”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

As usual I have included a couple of original recipes for your enjoyment!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Hispaniola Mamajuana (Herbal Rum Liqueur)

Rum Review: Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 18, 2010

Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection

A well Sampled bottle of Mount Gay 17031703 is the year that the Mount Gay Rum was first produced on the Isle of Barbados, making Mount Gay Rum one of the oldest, if not the oldest brand of rum in the world.   Because Barbados is situated as a gateway from the Atlantic to the Caribbean, sailors from the Old World often used the island as the  first resting point on the way to the New World.  This meant Barbados was ideally suited for trade between the two worlds in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.  Part of that trade was rum which is why the island is rightfully considered the birthplace of  the rum trade.

The Mount Gay 1703 Rum is a premium blend which features aged rum stocks from selected barrels of the Mount Gay treasured reserve.  These barrels have been aged 10 to 30 years and feature the best that Mount Gay has to offer in the areas of Craftsmanship and Quality.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The rum has a bright coppery colour with black stains. It looks very rich and lively in the glass almost like a shiny new penny.  A swirl of the glass shows a nice sheen of oil on the sides with small legs tricking back into the rum.  Dark molasses and baking spices rise to my nostrils followed by a smokey leather.  Perhaps it is the colour of the rum fooling me, but I catch a scent of copper pennies in the air as well…”

Here is a link to the full review:

Rum Review: Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection

As well you may enjoy my Cocktail Suggestion… Romantic Traffic

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I would like to thank the First Edmonton Chapter of the Rum Chums for providing the Sample of Mount Gay 1703 for this review.  It is truly great to have found friends such as these!!

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Rum Review: Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 14, 2010

Photo Courtesy Rum Runner Imports

Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

 

A new premium rum hit the store shelves in Alberta recently.  It is being brought to this market by Rum Runner Imports (RRI),  a Vancouver based import company who have recently invaded my home Province with their Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum and a new Rum Liqueur called Mamajuana.

I was contacted by RRI, and asked if I could provide reviews for each of these products.  Of course, I was happy to oblige.

Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum is a product of R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd.  It is distilled in Barbados which is considered by many sources to be the birthplace of rum dating back to 1651 where the first known recorded written usage of the word Rum Bullion appears.  Rums from Barbados are called Bajan Rums, and I have previously reviewed two other Bajan rums, Mount Gay Extra Old Rum, and Cockspur 12 year Old Rum.    As you read the review for Doorly’s X.O., you will notice that I find the rum to be much different in flavour than the other Bajan rums I reviewed.   It has a lighter more laid back style which appeals to my northern palate; here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Over a period of two weeks, I sipped Doorly’s X.O.,  and I was captivated by contradiction.   The first flavour I noticed was a sweet mild caramel toffee, yet in spite of the mild flavour, my tongue was also greeted with a tart orange peel and oak tannin.  Apricots seemed to dance in the flavour profile with whispers of cherries, only to turn into bananas and raisins when I take the next sip…”

Please read the full review here:

Rum Review: Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum

Also I have provided two cocktail suggestions of mine for your enjoyment and one cocktail suggestion forwarded to me by Rum Runner Imports.  Enjoy the review.

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

Rum Review: El Dorado Premium Rums

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 7, 2010

The family of El Dorado Premium Rums

El Dorado Premium Rums

El Dorado’s family of premium rums are distilled in Demerara County (Guyana, South America) and are popular throughout the world for their rich taste and sweetness.  So popular that the word demerara has become an adjective used by reviewers of whisky and rum alike to describe this particular style of sweetness when reviewing fine spirits.

Demerara County in fact has a rich three hundred year history of rum production. Some of the wooden stills first used to produce their rum are still in use today, and I have said it before, if anyone ever puts together a list of the “seven wonders of the rum world”, these original wooden stills will be at the top of that list.  The combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques has allowed Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) to build a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production over many years. In fact, Demerara Distillers is the currently one of the largest suppliers of bulk Caribbean rums to Europe and North America.

Over the next few months I will endeavor to review all three of El Dorado’s Premium Rums.  The 12 Year, The 15, Year and the 21 Year Old Rums.  I shall kick off this series with a review re visitation of El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum.  Although I have previously reviewed the 12 year Old I could not resist the chance to open a new bottle and see if my palate has changed.  Here is an excerpt from the review:

“…This rum enters my mouth with a spicy sweet baking spice explosion.  Deep dark brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of orange peel and citrus fruit lay upon a foundation of spicy wood tannins….”

You may read the rest of the review here:

Review: El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum

Please enjoy this  review and the follow up reviews I will be providing for the rest of the El Dorado Premium Rums!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Rum Review: El Dorado Premium Rums

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