The Rum Howler Blog

Review: Rum Nation Demerara Solera N° 14

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 20, 2020

Rum Nation is an Italian company created by Fabio Rossi, who began his life in the spirits trade as a Oenologist (one who has studied winemaking). After his studies, Mr. Rossi left the wine business and started up a whisky company in Edinburgh (Wilson and Morgan) acting as an independent bottler of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. His interest turned to rum and in 1999 Fabio Rossi founded Rum Nation. His company is headquartered in Italy; but Fabio purchases select rums from various distillers in the Caribbean and the Americas. As a result Rum Nation provides a rather unique assortment of rare limited edition rum bottlings.

One such bottling is Rum Nation Demerara Solera N° 14 which I first tasted and reviewed 2013. However, as this rum expression was part of the 2020 – 24 Days of Rum Advent Calendar, I was able to taste a sample from the newer 2017 release. So I have taken this opportunity to update the review with new bottle shots and tasting notes.

Here is a link to the updated review:

Review: Rum Nation Demerara Solera N° 14

“… Demerara Solera No. 14 is heated/spicy in the mouth with wood spices combined with baking spices (cinnamon and clove), tobacco and zesty orange peel. I taste hints of raw oak/wood as well. Semi sweet molasses and vanilla temper the spicy flavour. As I sip a little more, I receive impressions of canned peaches and apricots as well …”

Please enjoy the updated review.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: Demerara Rum, Demerara Solera No. 14, Review, Rum, Rum Nation | 4 Comments »

Review: Compass Distillers Gin Wild

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 19, 2020

Compass Distillers is located in Halifax Nova Scotia, where Graham, Josh, and David began their distilling journey with a belief that they could create world-class spirits locally. Their artisan Craft Spirits are not imported, they are not blended with generic ingredients, nor are they pumped out of a factory; Rather, they are made from scratch, with locally sourced ingredients.

Gin Wild is Compass Distillers version of a classic gin with a Nova Scotian twist. Constructed from a base spirit of 100% Nova Scotian wheat, the gin is distilled with a blend of classic gin botanicals,with wild Nova Scotian juniper given the starring role. This juniper is handpicked from the rocky barrens of the Nova Scotia coastline. The rugged shores and climate impart a strong character to the berry. Other botanicals include orange, lemon, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cilantro & ginger.

Here is a link to my latest gin review:

Review: Compass Distillers Gin Wild

“… The nose translates extremely well across the palate as we do indeed have a bit of an edge on the juniper and with firm peppery spices (coriander and hints of ginger) chasing. Orange and lemon flavours play underneath softening the flavour just a little and bringing balance. Hill side florals trail merrily along …”

Please enjoy my review which includes two serving suggestion, the Red Lion, and the March Lion.

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: Compass Distillers, Gin Wild, March Lion, Review | Comments Off on Review: Compass Distillers Gin Wild

Review: Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 19, 2020

Fabio Rossi began his life in the spirits trade as a Oenologist (one who has studied winemaking). After his studies, Mr. Rossi left the wine business and started up a whisky company in Edinburgh (Wilson and Morgan) acting as an independent bottler of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. His interest turned to rum and in 1999, Fabio Rossi founded Rum Nation and a few years later Ron Millonario. The parent company of each brand (Rossi and Rossi S.R.I.) is headquartered in Italy. Although the parent company of the Ron Millonario brand is Italian, the rums of Ron Millonario are produced in Northern Peru.

The subject of this review, Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial, is produced from a 4 stage Solera process with the final stage bringing the oldest rum in the blend to 15 years. (Based upon the information sent to me by the brand owner, the youngest rum in the blend would 8 years.) The rum is bottled in Peru at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial

“… Ron Millonario 15 is a full flavoured rum which features impressions of burnt caramel (treacle), licorice laced molasses, dry fruit, wood spice, marmalade, pungent baking spices (cinnamon, cloves and allspice), dribbles of coffee and chocolate and rich tobacco …”

Please enjoy the review which has been updated based upon a recent revisit to the brand.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 15, Especial, Peruvian Rum, Reserva, Review, Ron Millonario, Rum, Solera | Comments Off on Review: Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial

blackberrybuble Smash

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 18, 2020

Today I am taking another opportunity to share another festive buble sparkling water recipe. I was sent several such recipes such that I could enjoy these holiday offerings and share the experience with my readers. I picked out what I felt was the best and will continue to post them during run-up to Christmas to publish on the website.

Today’s serving is the blackberrybuble Smash:

blackberrybuble Smash

3-4 oz. blackberrybubly
1 1/4 oz. Bourbon
1/2 oz. fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
ice
Fresh Blackberries
Lemon Wheel

In a mixing glass muddle 4 Blackberries, the Bourbon, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup
Strain into a tall glass 1/2 filled with Ice
Top with blackberrybubly and stir
Garnish with additional Blackberries and a Lemon Wheel

Serve and enjoy responsibly!

Note: bubly sparkling water has no artificial flavors, no sweetners, and no calories

If you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: blackberrybuble, buble, Christmas, Cocktails and Recipes, Smash | Comments Off on blackberrybuble Smash

Review: Cihuatan Gran Reserva 8

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 18, 2020

Cihuatan Gran Reserva 8 is produced by El Salvador’s first ever rum distillery, Licorera Cihuatán. After a little research I was able to discover that the RON DE EL SALVADOR CIHUATÁN trademark was filed for on September 16, 2014 and this trademark was granted in August 30 2016 (see here and here). This type of Trademark is normally applied for when a company wishes to export products outside their home market which would indicate that the company which owns and produces Cihuatan Rum began to export the rum out of El Salvador in 2016. Presumably the distillery has been operating for a longer time than this, and according to Drink Hacker (see here), Cihuatan was established in 2004.

According to the producer’s website:

All of our rums are handcrafted in El Salvador, and we watch over every step of the process from the seed of the sugarcane to the bottle.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Cihuatan Gran Reserva 8

“… The flavour is nice as fine oak spices mingle with vanilla, butterscotch and almond. Hints of baking spice (cinnamon in particular) and orange peel zest seem to add to the heated feel of the spirit. Coconut and banana and a light grassy quality is apparent as well …”

Please enjoy my review.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 8, Cihuatan Gran Reserva, Rum, Solera | Comments Off on Review: Cihuatan Gran Reserva 8

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