It started well over one hundred years ago when fishing fleets from Newfoundland, with their cargo of Northern Cod and North Atlantic Tuna, traveled south and established a tradition of trade for the Caribbean Elixir, known as rum. This trade established Newfoundland as one of the major portals for the legal import (and of course a little illegal smuggling) of rum into Canada.
There have always been a good variety of rum brands on the shelves of my local liquor store which began their journey westward across Canada from the easternmost Province of Newfoundland. These rums are imported from the Caribbean in bulk, then bottled and branded in St. John’s Newfoundland, and as a result can trace their ancestry to those original fishing fleets that bartered Cod for Rum.
One of these brands, Newfoundlander’s Rum, made a splash about a year ago with a new style and presentation that rejected the pirated clichés of the rum marketing gurus and instead embraced the heritage of Newfoundland’s rocky shores and its naval tradition. Stunning artwork from Canadian artist David Blackwood adorned the labels in narrative designs that told a story of the proud Newfoundland people who live their lives near and on the sea. It is a life bound by tragedy and hope as the residents of Newfoundland are blessed by the ocean’s bounty; yet they are always at its mercy.
I was given a bottle of Newfoundlander’s White Rum this Christmas as a gift from a good friend, and I decided that I should share my impressions of this rum here on my blog.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…The light caramel flavour of the rum is firm, and I taste no bitter off-notes. There is a tinge of alcohol bite which tastes slightly sharp, but I also taste the light candy flavours I noticed in the nose and an every so soft progression of mint. Vanilla notes are present, as is a light almond flavour…”
You may read the full review here:
As well I have included a few cocktails which work well with the Newfoundlander’s White Rum including The Pink Rocket and The Gentle Hammock.
Today I am continuing with my mini series of Vodka Reviews with another flavoured Vodka produced by the Nemiroff Vodka Company. The Nemiroff Rye Honey Vodka, (which was launched in 2003), is a lightly flavoured Vodka spirit which combines the essences of freshly baked rye bread with the sweetness of real honey. I received a sample bottle to review from Igor Kashkan, the local importer of Nemiroff Vodka..
The Rum Howler Blog 