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Posts Tagged ‘Rum Review’

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Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 19, 2012

It was about a year ago that I was contacted by the fellows tho are responsible for Dictador Rum, and was asked if I would like to review their new Dictador XO Perpetual. This new rum sounded intriguing, and I was curious about the how the Dictador XO Rum might differ from the Dictador 12 and Dictador 20 Year Solera rums which I had already tasted and reviewed. I agreed to receive a sample and when it arrived, I found this statement on the plastic protective sleeve which slides over the box that houses the XO Perpetual.

” … The Dictador XO Solera System Rum is elaborated from the fermentation of unique virgin honey of sugar cane, then distilled in antique copper pot alembic then is aged in very high end pre-used oak barrels from 3 cardinal points… “

Additional statements on the Dictador website speak to a difference in the aging regimen used for the XO rums. Although the information is not specific, it appears that the major difference is in the oak selected. The intent seems to be to create a different flavour profile for the Dictador XO. As a result, the XO Rums (the Insolent and the Perpetual) promise to offer a new taste experience for the rum connoisseur.

The Dictador website also explains that the Dictador Rum are produced in Colombia, more exactly, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias City. These rums are based upon an international marketing concept, combining the traditions of Colombian rum making with Japanese bottle designs and European packaging and marketing.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The Dictador XO Perpetual has a beguiling quality in the glass. The initial scents are aromatic and fruity. I sense a wonderful butterscotch sweetness underneath a bouquet of oak and baking spices (vanilla, brown sugars, and cinnamon). Orange peel wells out of the glass, but if you are patient the orange peel soon melds with the butterscotch to give the air a lovely impression of marmalade …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Please enjoy the review, and my cocktail suggestion, the Rum Old Fashioned!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Dictador XO Perpetual

Review: Redrum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 12, 2012

Three-D Spirits, Inc. (www.redrum.com) was founded in 1996 with the goal to create exceptional  handmade rums. The currently produce three spiced and flavoured rums, Redrum, VooDoo Spiced Rum, and Jolly Roger Coconut and Key Lime Rum. The subject of this review, Redrum, is a blend of 100% Virgin Island Rums. The rum is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume, and includes flavours of natural mango, pineapple, coconut, and cherry.

According to Dan DaDalt, Chief Rum Runner, for Three-D Spirits, Redrum is a completely unaged spirit. To quote from Dan:

” I chose this direction mainly because I felt it (an aged rum) would not work as well with the natural fruit flavors as a more neutral rum base.”

This product is being brought into my market by River Valley Beverages who arranged for me to receive a sample for review.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…  I can piece out the coconut, the cherry, some grilled pineapple and the mango all lifting into the breezes. This actually smells quite nice. Although vanilla is not listed as one of the flavours, I seem to also sense some real vanilla essence in the air… “

You ,may read my full review here:

Review: Redrum

Please enjoy the review and my suggested cocktail, the Redrum Breeze.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavouerd Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Redrum

Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 29, 2012

The Renegade Barbados Rum (Black Rock 2000) from the Renegade Rum Company was aged for 8 years in American Oak (bourbon) casks at the West Indies Rum Refinery (also known as Black Rock Distillery because of it’s location in Black Rock, St. Michael, Barbados). This distillery was established in 1893 by the German Stade Brothers who are known for introducing the first continuous column still to the Caribbean. The Barbados Renegade Rum was first distilled in a column still, and then double distilled in a pot still. It was then ‘enhanced’ for another period of time, at the Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland, in Martinez Port Casks. The Rum is bottled in the 700 ml squat decanter style bottle shown below at 46 percent alcohol by volume.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The nose of the glass is very nice with a pronounced ‘fruity’ accent (baked apples, baked pears and gooseberry jam) which really smells nice against the backdrop of the butterscotch and vanilla notes from the rum. Deeper down I catch smells which remind me of tobacco and almond, and I even sense a little marmalade… “

You may read the full review here: 

Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Please enjoy my review.. Cheers!

 

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Renegade Black Rock 2000 Rum

Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 24, 2012

Photo Courtesy of Lance Surujbally (All rights reserved!)

Ron Barceló was founded in 1930 under the name Barceló & Co in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The rum brand quickly grew in popularity growing into one of the largest in the Dominican, and the brand is now exported world-wide to over 20 countries.

The Company advertises five indicators of quality which govern their production:

  • Only the finest sugar cane produced in the Dominican Republic is used.
  • All of our rums age in oak barrels from Kentucky that have been used to age Bourbon Whisky.
  • Constant research efforts by our Master Blenders lead us to the best possible blends.
  • Achieving a perfect combination of body character, great performance and exquisite bouquet.
  • Using the industry’s leading distilling technology with the age-old artisan knowledge of our local experts, heirs to a long tradition of excellence in rum production.

I reviewed this rum almost three years ago, and recently acquired a new bottle. I decided to go back and see if the rum, or my perception of it had improved after three years.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… When I allow the glass to breathe some of that initial harshness evaporates into the breezes, and I detect some notes of caramel, banana peel, and tobacco. However, the burnt brown sugar notes still tend to dominate the rum… “

You may read my full review by clicking the link below:

Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

Please enjoy the review!

Posted in Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Barceló Añejo Rum

Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 19, 2012

The English Harbour 5 Year Rum is a genuine Caribbean rum produced by Antigua Distillery Limited. The rum is named for the Antiguan naval port of English Harbour which was the site of naval confrontations between the English and the French who were the two major naval powers of the 18th Century.

When I contacted the Antigua Distillery regarding my review they indicated to me that the special character of their rum begins with the fermentation process. They use baker’s yeast during their fermentation and allow it to interact with the wild yeast present in the distillery. The use of open top fermenters aids and encourages the marriage of the different yeasts. After fermentation, the English Harbour rum is distilled upon an all copper continuous still. (The Antigua Distillery operates one of the few remaining all-copper continuous stills in the Caribbean.) The rum is aged in once used Kentucky bourbon barrels, and the Distillery’s wood policy states that they must use no. 1 select barry from the cooperage owned by the famous bourbon company. (I will leave you to speculate as to whom that might be.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial air above the glass presents a complex aroma of molasses, treacle (burnt caramel), toasted coconut and orange peel. The rum has a smoky quality as well which reminds me of dry fruit (raisins, dates, and prunes). A bit of damp cigar tobacco and some muted almond scents round out the nose …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail that follows.

Cheers!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: English Harbour 5 Year Rum

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