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Posts Tagged ‘Rum Review’

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Review: Lemon Hart Navy Spiced Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 19, 2013

SAM_0991Lemon Hart is an iconic rum brand with roots which stretch back to the late 18th century when Mr. Lemon Hart began to supply rum to the British Royal Navy. By 1804, production of his “Lemon Hart Rum” was moved from his small merchant office in Cornwall, England to a larger facility in London. Over 150 years later the production of the blend had shifted to the Hiram Walker Distillery in Ontario, Canada.

Under the direction of new brand owner, Mosaiq, the Lemon Hart brand has been re-energized, and two new additions to the Lemon Hart family, Lemon Hart Navy Spicy Rum and Lemon Hart Original One Hundred British Proof Rum (available in the Travel Duty-Free market) have recently been launched. The spiced rum (which is the subject of this review) is an 86 proof offering (43 % alcohol by volume), developed for Mosaiq under the direction of former Hiram Walker Master, Mike Booth.

Here is an excerpt which you may click to link to my full review:

Review: Lemon Hart Navy Spiced Rum

“… Things begin with a candied sweetness reminiscent of Butterscotch and/or Rum & Butter Lifesaver candies. Within that candied aroma I sense the spiciness of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom as well as perhaps a touch of orange zest. There are obvious vanilla notes, a very light indication of treacle and hints of tobacco and oak which appear …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a nice recipe I choose to call, the Spiced Metro Swizzle!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews, Spiced Rum | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Lemon Hart Navy Spiced Rum

Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 14, 2013

SAM_0340 Zombie PlantationCognac Ferrand has long a history of providing Cognac Casks to various Caribbean rum producers based upon the rum producer’s need for quality oak casks to age their rum. Because of this long history Cognac Ferrand has over time developed solid relationships with many of these producers. Based upon these relationships they have been able to acquire certain unique batches of rum from various Caribbean sources. Typically these rums are brought back to France to be finished in their own warehouses and of course in their own Cognac Casks.

The Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum  is Cognac Ferrand’s ‘tiki style’ overproof rum. The base rum is a column distilled rum from Trinidad which was aged in oak barrels in Trinidad before being transported to France.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

“… Within this rich aroma I can smell a strong butterscotch/caramel toffee which seems to rise up in waves out of the glass. Banana peel, marmalade and marzipan appear as well in a bouquet that despite the astringency is very inviting. Rounding out the nose are some very nice baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar) which build up and remind me of my Mom’s cinnamon buns baking in the oven …”

Please enjoy this review which includes a nice Tiki style recipe, Zombie Plantation!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Overproof Rum, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Plantation Original Dark 73 % Overproof Rum

And then there was # 1 – Brugal Titanium Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 5, 2013

op10RUM 550The Brugal Distillery was founded in 1888, by Andrés Brugal Montaner. Over the next one hundred and twenty years the company grew steadily, and it is now one of three large Rum Distillers in the Dominican Republic. The original family which founded Brugal is still in the control. George Arzeno Brugal, is the current chairman, and most of the board members are direct descendants of the original company founder. In fact, the Brugal Distillery has become an institution in the Dominican Republic. Just about every friend of mine who has visited this the Dominican Republic has a vivid tale to tell of their amazing bus ride to the distillery, and another tale to tell of how much fun it was to sample the Brugal Rum.

SAM_0972 Brugal TitaniumBrugal Titanium Rum is a triple distilled premium white rum produced primarily for the domestic market (and in parts of Europe) as a high-end cocktail spirit meant to compete with ultra premium Vodka. It is a pity that this rum is not widely available; based upon the tasting sessions my friends and I conducted this past August, it just might be the very best white rum in the world!

Here is a link to my newly published review:

#1 White Rum – Brugal Titanium 

“…The nose is lightly effervescent with a spiciness which reminds me of the lemon-like scent of coriander seeds and the rye-like scents of ginger and cardamom spice. A light sugar cane scent is evident, as well as hints of anise and licorice, light mushy banana smells and perhaps a touch of mint …”

This is a refined spirit filled with spicy character and suave refinement within the flavour nuances. Although this rum is not widely available, it is still a fact that the Brugal Titanium is one of the best white rums I have sampled to this point in my rum explorations!

PS: I included a brand new daiquiri style cocktail with my review, the Emissary Daiquiri!

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Note; You may follow my Countdown list of the 10 best white rums here:   The Rum Howler 2013 – Top 10 White Rums

Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on And then there was # 1 – Brugal Titanium Rum

Top 10 White Rums Countdown # 2 – El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 4, 2013

op10RUM 550I am very near to the end of my white rum countdown and for the third time, (perhaps the fourth depending upon the origin of Potters Superior Rum), a rum from Demerara County in Guyana has found its way onto the list. This is no accident, as Demerara County (in Guyana) is popular across the world for its rich, three hundred year history of rum production. Using a combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques, Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL), has built a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production. In fact, Demerara Distillers is the currently the largest supplier of bulk Caribbean Rum to Europe and North America.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged Demerara Rum is blended from aged stocks (the youngest being no less than 3 years old) and then filtered twice through charcoal filters to produce a clear rum. All of the Demerara Rum produced by El Dorado is aged exclusively in American oak (bourbon barrels).

Here is a link to my latest review:’

#2 White Rum – El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged Rum 

“… In my mouth the taste is light but sweet. The rum has a pleasant soft texture with light oil-like mouth-feel. There is no bitterness and the soft butterscotch/caramel flavours remain firm through the palate accented with light minty candy-like flavours. There is also a light spiciness which hints at citrus zest and banana peel. As I sip I also begin to sense very light undercurrents of dry fruit, chocolate and a light but firm impression of baked coconut …”

Note: I originally reviewed the El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged Demerara Rum four years ago as one of my original reviews to open the website. This however, is a new review, based upon tasting sessions with a more recent bottling.

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Note; You may follow my Countdown list of the 10 best white rums here:   The Rum Howler 2013 – Top 10 White Rums

Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Top 10 White Rums Countdown # 3 – Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 3, 2013

op10RUM 550Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum is relatively new white cocktail rum from Cognac Ferrand ( see Plantation Rum Website). In producing this rum Alexandre Gabriel (President and Owner, of Cognac Ferrand) blends rum from three different Caribbean Islands in order to achieve the correct balance between flavour and character suitable for a cocktail rum bearing the Plantation name. These three Islands (Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad) are considered by the folks at Cognac Ferrand to be the three “star” producers of the Caribbean, hence the name “Plantation 3 Stars” was chosen for the rum.

A great deal of time was spent by the Cognac Ferrand team tweaking the rum to get it just right. Even the exact bottling proof was examined thoroughly. According to Alexandre Gabriel:

plantation-3stars-b“I was dreaming about this rum and could mentally taste it before it was done so we worked relentlessly until we were there. We wanted character and personality but didn’t want it too heavy taking away from our purpose which was to have a balanced and elegant rum exceptional for cocktails. We found the perfect balance at 41.2% alcohol by volume.”

I guess the opinion of my friends and I is that Cognac Ferrand did indeed get it right, as this spirit was declared the Number 3 Rum in my Rum Howler Countdown of the Best White Rums in the World (that I have tasted)!

Here is a link to the review:

#3 White Rum – Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum 

“… The breezes above the glass display a very obvious scent of hard candy where orange and lemon drops mix with tropical fruits like mango and soft banana. There is even a few lightly minty notes of Christmas candy-cane and a light butterscotch/caramel impression in the air. As you let the glass breathe you begin to notice a vague astringency or roughness in the air as well …”

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Note; You may follow my Countdown list of the 10 best white rums here:   The Rum Howler 2013 – Top 10 White Rums

Posted in Awards, Extras, Rum, Rum Reviews, White Rums | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Top 10 White Rums Countdown # 3 – Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum

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