Review: Lamb’s Spiced Rum   79.5/100
Review by Chip Dykstra
Published June 22, 2022

In Canada, Lamb’s is one of the most popular rum brands. This brand traces its history all the way back to 1849 when Alfred Lamb opened his wine and spirits business in London. His original Navy Rum is reported to have been a blend of 18 separate rums from various parts of the Caribbean. Alfred Lamb’s method of aging his rum in cellars under the Thames River is said to be one of the secrets behind the unexpectedly smooth taste and popularity of his rum.

During World War II, the Alfred Lamb & Son premises on Great Tower Street were unfortunately a casualty of enemy bombs. One of their major competitors, White Keeling Rum Merchants suffered the same fate, and as a result in 1946 both Alfred Lamb & Son and White Keeling Rum Merchants moved to 40 Eastcheap, London where they joined with Dingwall & Norris who were already located there. The triumvirate became the company known as United Rum Merchants.

The Lamb’s brand was licensed for North American production to Corby Distillers in 1952 and since that time Lamb’s rum has been part of the Corby portfolio of spirit brands. (Halewood Artisanal Spirits hold the license to bottle the brand in Europe, Africa and Asia.)

In North America, the main portfolio of Lamb’s Rums includes, Lamb’s Classic White Rum, Lamb’s Spiced Rum, Lamb’s Palm Breeze, and Lamb’s Navy Rum (which is sold both at 80 proof as well as an overproof 151).

This is the review for Lambs Spiced Rum  sold at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In the Bottle 4/5

As stated in my preamble, Lamb’s is one of Canada’s most popular rum brands. One of the reasons for this is the competitive price, and the other reason is the attractive bottle display. Although the labeling has changed over the years, the distinctive hexagonal tall long necked bottle is seen by most as an upgrade over the cylindrical counterparts on the economy shelf at most retail vendors. As you can see, the Lamb’s bottle is attractive.  The bottle holds true to the bartender’s creed being easy to store on the bar shelf, easy to grab and hold, and most importantly easy to pour. The plastic screw cap on the bottle is much preferred over those pressed on metal caps I still see on many other bottles. All in all, the presentation is quite nice considering this is an economy brand.

In The Glass 8/10

Colour: Amber

Nose:  Vanilla, Caramel with hints of oak spice.

The nose is not a marvel of complexity, it features a dollop of vanilla and caramel with accents of oak spice (all rum in sold in Canada must by law be aged for at least one year in oak barrels). There are also hints of cinnamon and cloves although these impressions may be more of a reflection of the light oak spices and not actual spice be added to the rum.

In The Mouth 48/60

When sipped, Lamb’s Spiced rum carries flavours profile of vanilla and caramel within the construct of a young amber rum. I say young, because even with the added vanilla and sweetness we notice a light alcohol astringency in the delivery. There is a touch of grassiness, hints of orange peel, and a mild indication of baking spice (cinnamon and ginger) as well.

This is a very standard vanilla based spiced rum without any added bells or whistles. The flavour profile is suitable for Rum and cola highballs, or perhaps we could get fancy with short drink in the style of a Cable Car. (I went down a slightly different path and you can find my serving suggestion at the conclusion of the review.)

In the Throat  11.5/15

The exit is lightly astringent, accompanied by a thin grassy burn. Vanilla and caramel quickly cover the light burn providing a somewhat sweet landing.

The Afterburn 8/10

Lamb’s Spicy Rum follows the familiar trail of a vanilla and caramel enhanced rum. There is nothing fancy here, but it is a trail which will be sure to please most spiced rum enthusiasts. My final score is 79/100 which means that while I would not recommend the Lamb’s Spiced for sipping, it covers all bases necessary as a mixing spirit.

If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.

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Suggested Recipes

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

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 You may (loosely) interpret the scores as follows.

0-25     A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49   Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59  You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69   Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74    Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84    We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89    Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94    Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+       I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and  Bronze medal  scale as follows:

70 – 79.5    Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5     Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95         Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+            Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)