1931 St Lucia Distillers – 3rd Edition

Bythefatrumpirate

1931 3rd edition Rum Review by the fat rum pirate1931 from St Lucia Distillers.  This turquoise coloured offering is the 3rd edition in the series.

Originally released to commemorate 80 years of rum production by St Lucia Distillers this rum or to be more accurate these rums – as they are all entirely different blends have become something of a flagship rum for St Lucia Distillers.

When I’m not prattling on about Chairman’s Reserve – (all incarnations apart from the Spiced) to anyone that will listen (I promise not to mention that rum again in this review) I am also a champion of all things St Lucia Distillers.

Again I was a little slow off the mark in buying this 3rd (to celebrate 82 years of rum production in 2013).  The cost was around the £55 mark and for once I bought in store rather than online in late 2015.

All 1931 releases are individually numbered this is batch 03A (the first 1931 was batch 01, the second batch 02 and so on) bottle number 11376 and it was bottled on the 28 ,July 2014.  It is bottled at 43% ABV in a 70cl decanter style bottle.  This release is actually the best seller (so far) in the 1931 series and 3 batches were produced.

Again like the 1st and 2nd edition the presentation is identical apart from the change of year number on the neck and the colour scheme.  A rather interesting choice of turquoise or teal for this release (for older members or those who enjoy Classic Rock I am always left thinking of Cream’s Tales of Brave Ullysees when I see turquoise wrote down).

Unlike the first 2 editions St Lucia Distillers have not give any information on their website about the blend of this rum.  Which is a disappointing as the information provided for the first two was really informative!

From digging around the internet it is noted that this is a blend of rums from all of the distilleries four stills.  The Vendome pot still, two John Dore pot stills and the the Continuous Coffery Still.  The rums are aged between 6 and 12 years.

Now before we go any further I must explain the Elephant in the Room relating to this rum.  This is not something I expected and like many others I found this slightly disappointing. 12g/L of added sugar in this rum.  Quite deliberately added by the Master Blender.  To basically, see what the reception would be.  Result – their best selling 1931 so far!

1931 3rd edition rum review by the fat rum pirateIt’s not a huge amount of added sugar but its been done and it is evident when you taste the rum.  It makes the rum slightly smoother, slightly sweeter and less dry.  Whether it improves the rum is open to debate, I haven’t tried it without the sugar!  For me it tastes pretty similar to the 2nd edition albeit just a little sweeter.

Poured the rum is a classic amber colour.

The nose reveals the now familiar St Lucia pot still/Bourbon cask influence.  It’s rich and deep.  Very fruity with some sour mash like notes.  A nice waft of oak and a hint of smoke.  I has the distinct almost salty St Lucian twang, which is as distinctive as the Jamaican funk found in that islands Pot Still rums.

I will get the influence of the added sugar out of the way to not labour the point too much.  The added sugar will be detectable by those who have tried a lot of rum but might not be quite so obvious to most.  In terms of overall profile it makes the rum a little bit sweeter and definitely makes the rum a little smoother than previous 1931’s.  I don’t think it has a huge impact on the rum – it still tastes like rum unlike many more doctored “rums”.

The third 1931 differs to the previous two in that it has a slightly minty like note too it.  (Which may explain the colour scheme?). An almost toothpaste like minty freshness is apparent especially in the initial taste and the finish.  It is sweeter than the first two 1931’s and has less of the sour mash notes found in the first two.

To me it lacks an extra layer of depth and complexity that particularly the 2nd 1931 has.  I would probably rate it on a par with the first 1931 which whilst very good had a very slight imbalance or maybe just too much going on.  This rum is slightly more straightforward.

I’m noting particularly online the rums of St Lucia have been getting many plaudits recently.  Certainly awareness of them is growing  I’d like to think I was slightly ahead of the game (I’ve been banging on about Chairman’s Reserve since this blog started two years ago) as I have a number of other St Lucian rums up for review shortly.

4 stars

 

 

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  • Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum 2018 Re-Blend

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Pusser's 15 Year Old 2018 Re Blend rum review by the fat rum piratePusser’s 15 Year Old Rum has been around for some time. (At least 15 years I can hear someone saying……) I first reviewed it a few years ago. I do intend to re-review some of the rums I have covered going forward. To be honest, Pusser’s 15 Year Old was one that would have had that treatment bestowed upon it anyway – miniatures of the rum are readily available. Which makes it easier on the wallet.

    The reason why I am re-reviewing Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum, is not just because it has been given a pretty new bottle though.

    The juice inside the bottle has also changed. And now that is not just my opinion based on the bottle design changing (a sure flag to some that the liquid inside has changed, for reasons best known to them) Pusser’s have told us that.

    Bottle’s of the new Pusser’s 15 Year Old haven’t made it into the UK as yet. I would expect it to retail at around the £50-55 mark. The new blend has been bottled at 40% ABV. The original Pusser’s 15 Year Old was a blend of rums from Guyana and Trinidad.

    From the information I have been given the new blend contains only rum from Guyana. So we are of course talking of rums from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). I understand that more Pot Still rum from the Port Mourant Still is contained in this new blend (around 50%) with the rest coming from column stills. (I’ll update this when I get some firmer information)

    As you can see from the photo the bottle has been changed dramatically. It actually now looks like the cardboard sleeve that you occasionally found the original Pussers 15 Year Old housed in. It looks a bit classier and less gawdy. As with the previous bottling it is topped with a cork closure. Pretty much standard now for PremiuPusser's 15 Year Old 2018 Re Blend rum review by the fat rum piratem Rums.

    An issue with the original Pussers 15 Year Old was the readings using a Hydrometer. I tested and found around 29 g/L and Johnny Drejer noted a slightly lower reading and noted 24 g/L. This time around the re-blend has led to a considerable reduction with only 8 g/L this time around. I will re-test this when I get a full bottle.

    Now people have called Pusser’s out about additives before. They state on their site that their rums contain only natural colourings and flavourings. I guess sugar is one such flavouring.

    Also I have noticed similarity with this rum and some independent bottlings, that have tested positive for additives. DDL have through their brand ambassadors suggested that they coat their barrels with molasses and/or add some caramel into the rums as it ages. I would say the toffee/butterscotch note I get, would fit with a practice similar to this. There are a lot of rumours and stories about what DDL might or might not do. Do not taken anything noted here as gospel. I don’t know first hand. I make no claims to know. I am just sharing what others have told me. I will correct anything should it prove to be wrong.

    Another thing to note about Pussers 15 Year Old Rum is that it is not and never has been a 15 year old version of the Gunpowder proof rum. It’s always been a different rum to any of the others in the line up – which are the same rum at differing ABV’s.

    Anyway lets stop waffling on and get on with the review.

    In the glass Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum is slightly darker and less tinged with red than what I remember from the previous incarnation. It’s a dark brown with some less obvious orange tinges.

    On the nose Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum is a bit more rounded and balanced than the previous blend. It’s not quite as harsh and boozy. It’s more rounded and less aggressive.

    Notes of sweet licorice, milk chocolate raisins, sweet English breakfast tea and toffee. A distinctive Butterscotch type note that I have noticed before as mentioned earlier in the review. This is balanced by a stronger alcohol forward aniseed note which adds a little heft to the blend.

    It’s very similar to the previous offering in many respects but it does definitely have a more balanced nose.

    Sipped it is very flavourful. Again we treated to the licorice/aniseed notes of a Port Mourant rum. A style I enjoy very much. Toffee and milk chocolate add to the sweetness.

    Fortunately there is enough spicy warming oak and red wine like notes to make this a pretty complex sipping experience. There is an almost malty note to it like – at touch of roasted chestnuts.

    Pusser's 15 Year Old 2018 Re Blend rum review by the fat rum pirateThe mid palate leads into coffee and cinnamon. This is like a Christmas cake in a bottle. A very warming and very “seasonal” rum. Ideal for this time of year I must say.

    If you are looking for comparisons then Bristol’s Port Mourant Rum’s have similarities as does Plantation Guyana 2005.

    The finish is really good on this one as well. It’s the most woody part of the rum and the hit of oak spice, vanilla and orange zest is very pleasant and warming.

    This is a considerable upgrade on the previous 15 Year Old. It may not be quite as perfect as the Gunpowder proof but it is a very, very good rum.

    If you are looking for something with less sweetness, than say El Dorado 12 or 15 then you might wish to try this. I think most fans of Demerara rum will get some enjoyment out of this.

    A great upgrade.

     

     

  • That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

    Bythefatrumpirate

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 GrenadaThat Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada. I’m not sure whether the Boutique-y Rum Company are purposefully attempting to have the longest name for a rum ever put on a bottle, but they seem to be doing a good job if they are. Catchy is not a word I would use to describe their bottlings. Though the company name is quite quirky and the designs on the bottle are very distinctive.

    Luckily though, what the Boutique-y Rum Company do focus on is sourcing quality and at time quite unusual rums. Rums that perhaps other independents would shy away from bottling. They have a number of “Secret Distillery” bottlings. This is not a gimmick on behalf of  Boutique-y Rum Company.

    The rum world has changed over the past few years. Caribbean (in particular) distilleries are beginning to see the true value in their own distillery botttlings. No longer concentrating on satisfying just the domestic market with inexpensive, relatively young bottlings. They are now producing their own aged products, for the worldwide market. Focusing particularly on Europe and the US.

    Previously Independent bottlers would buy aged products from rum brokers such as E.A Scheer and proudly display the name of the distillery. Often more boldly than their own logos etc. As a result some producers began to question the use of what they began to see as their “brand” (ie the distillery name). Whilst an outright ban on using distillery names hasn’t been legally enforced a number of distilleries have requested that Independent bottlers do not use the distillery name.

    As a result and in accordance with these agreements That Boutique-y Rum Company are, when requested using “Secret Distillery” and the country of origin only to identify where the rum has come from.

    This practice hasn’t translated to all distilleries so you can still hazard a guess at where a rum might have come from. Today I am reviewing “Secret Distillery” #4 Grenada.

    So do I have any more information about this rum? Yes luckily I do. First up it was produced on a Traditional Coffey Column Still.That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada is from a Single Distillery. It has been aged for 20 years (I’m unaware where it was aged). It has been bottled at 52.3% ABV and their are 212 50cl bottles available of this rum priced at £98.95 over at Master of Malt.

    Identifying the distillery this might come from leads me down the route of picking from 2 of the 3 distilleries on Grenada. It can’t be from Renegade Rum Distillery as it wasn’t around 20 years ago. So that leaves River Antoine Estate which produces Rivers Royal rum and Grenada Distillers who produce rums under the Clarkes Court brand.

    There is of course also Westerhall Estate but they no longer distill any rum they merely blend imported caribbean rum. I suppose as this is 20 years old it could be from there?

    The only further bit of information I have is the GMWE rum marque. To be honest the G in the marque makes me think this rum is likely to have come from Grenada Distillers. They are the biggest producer on the island and the style of rum they produce seems in keeping with this bottling. Trying not to pre-empt the review but my nose suggests this is a rum from Grenada Distillers.That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

    This is one of 3 brand new releases from That Boutique-y Rum Company that I am to review over the next 3 days (as pictured).

    Of course I could be wrong, it did happen once before……….

    So lets see how That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada  goes down.

    In the glass we have a golden brown liquid – a few shades darker than straw but not quite what I would call dark. This suggests some element of continental ageing.

    The nose is light, sweet and very approachable. Notes of toffee, milk chocolate and some spicy ginger. Sweet fruits such as strawberries and peaches are also in the mix. Slightly syrupy but not overly sweet. It smells sweet but not sweetened…….

    This is confirmed by the Hydrometer bobbing between 52-53% ABV.

    Despite its overall quite light profile it is still quite complex. Nosing is a very pleasant experience. The higher ABV than I have experience before with output from Grenada Distillers gives the nose much more depth. There is also more oak and spice on the nose from the long ageing.

    As a sipper it opens up with a spicy salvo of bourbon-esque notes and spicy ginger and oak. Vanilla and honey come through once the spicy introduction begins to lead you into the mid palate. The oak and spice remain giving a spicy char. You get a real taste of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes on the mid palate. Peanut and cashew nut really come through. It’s not as sweet and fruity as the nose but you still get some strawberry and vanilla ice cream. It’s really nicely balanced this rum.

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

    The finish on this is really nice as well. It fades out beautifully with some notes of black pepper and a spicy woody note which fades out slowly.

    This is a rum which would be a good introduction to drinking something at a higher ABV. It is light but it isn’t as sweet or as straightforward as you might expect. It’s not got any “off notes” though or anything which might alienate someone feeling their way into Cask Strength offerings.

    It also harks back to a simpler time as well. Many people do not realise, that historically column distilled rum in the Caribbean is just as popular (if not more so) than the heavier Pot Still rums and blends we focus more on nowadays.

    Better than I was expecting a very tasty drop. I’ve also had it confirmed from a very reliable source (Boutique-y Pete) that is indeed from Grenada Distillers traditional two column set up.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Old Jamaique Long Pond 1977 Aged 35 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Old Jamaique Rum Aged 35 Years Long Pond 1977 review by the fat rum piratOld Jamaique Long Pond 1977.  A rum older than me – just.  From the Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica.  A distillery which I have become increasingly interested in, over the past year or so.

    Old Jamaique is a collaboration between Scottish bottling giant Ian MacLeod and the Belgian Independent bottler Corman-Collins.

    I’ve not previously reviewed any of the Independent bottlings from Corman-Collins. Who often seem to collaborate with other independent bottlers, such as Samaroli for instance.

    I have however reviewed a few Ian MacLeod bottlings.  Though none as “high end” as this one. Ian MacLeod caters to the budget end of the rum market.  I have reviewed both Watson’s Demerara and Trawler rum.  They are predominantly though a whisky bottler.  With a portfolio of malt and blended whisky such as Tamdhu, Glengoyne, Sheep Dip and Black Shield.  They also have numerous gins and even some vodka.

    From the information I have been able to find on this rum, it is 35 years old. Well it was aged for 35 years anyway.  Distilled in 1977 and bottled in May 2013. Aged in an ex-bourbon barrel.  It is single cask (#10) and comes from an out turn of just 229 bottles.  It is bottled at a very rounded 50% ABV, so I assume it is not fully cask strength. The reduced ABV may have yielded a few extra bottles.  When released it would set you back around £400.  You’d be hard pushed to find a bottle now. If you do want one you may find yourself paying a lot more at auction.

    Finding rare pot still rums such as this especially from the Long Pond distillery is difficult.  Long Pond is due to re-open but has been out of commission for a number of years. Much of Long Pond’s output historically has been in the sale of bulk rum for blends. As far as I am aware there has never been a commercially distillery release of a “Long Pond” branded rum.  I’ve started buying any Long Pond rum I can find.  Such is the enjoyment I’ve had from the few I’ve been lucky enough to try.

    Long Pond rums are similar to Hampden. From my limited experience I have found them to be slightly more fruity but as I explore both distilleries more (and not forgetting Clarendon) I am finding more expressions which I could easily confuse for either distillery.

    Anyway I’m quite keen to put this rum through its paces so lets crack on with the nosing and tasting.

    Old Jamaique Long Pond 1977 presents itself in the glass as a light golden rum. As stated on the label no colourant has been added.

    The nose reveals the extensive ageing (albeit it a lot is European). It has quite high weight of oak on the nose.  It’s initially more Appleton Estate 21 than the more zesty, medicinal Long Pond I am more familiar with.

    A touch of pine cone, quite a bit of vanilla and spicy bourbon barrel.  Hint of char it’s clearly a very mature rum.  Heavy barrel influenced distillate.Old Jamaique Rum Aged 35 Years Long Pond 1977 review by the fat rum pirate

    Sipped it hits you with an initial tropical sweetness- mangoes, passion fruit and some black mushy banana which fades into a very oaky and rich toffee and caramel mid palate.

    It’s not the funkiest Long Pond. Lacking some of the dunder/esters I have tried before but it is certainly a very complex sip.  There are some notes of stewed English Breakfast tea and a hint of pipe tobacco.  I’ve noted Dave Broom refer to rums before as being like old leather sofas.  I’m with him on that with this one.

    It’s not what I was expecting from a Long Pond rum.  It definitely has more similarities to Appleton 21.  But it is excellent and very rewarding. Really tasty, oaky and a very rich rum – touch of Christmas pudding alongside those tobacco notes.  Plums, dates and more than a touch of raisin.

    The finish was nice, long, rich and warming.  Probably the most medicinal part of the experience as well.  As the finish progresses the oak subsides slightly and reveals just a touch more tree sap and a bit of the sweet funk. Black banana and pear drops.

    It’s expensive but its just about unique.  The Whisky Nectar bottled a 1977 Long Pond a few years ago that was aged until 2012.  Like this one you’ll struggle to find one of those.

    Really great stuff but take care, its not Long Pond as you might recognise.

  • Skipper Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Skipper Rum Demerara Review Guyana

    “The best rum in this world” proclaims the 30′s style label.  Finest Old Demerara from Guyana.  This is a blend of 7 dark rums aged in Guyana for at least 3 years.  According to the bottle this is a naval style rum.  This rum (and seemingly the bottle) has been produced since 1930.

    I bought this rum on a trip to Sainsburys.  It had  couple of quid off so was £18 rather than £20.  To be honest the bottle is a little uninspiring, which is why I had previously overlooked it.  It’s a standard entry-level metallic screw top bar bottle.  The labelling is a little kitsch but I don’t really think it will be doing its sales much good.

    Skipper Rum is bottled in Glasgow and despite its claims of being a naval style rum I’m expecting a rum similar to OVD. 

    As with Demerara rums the rum is slightly thicker in its consistency than a similarly aged caribbean golden/amber style rum.  It’s also a lot darker, though not quite as dark as OVD.  It is similar in appearance to Lambs Navy Rum, so maybe it will taste similar to that and indeed be a Naval style rum.

    Upon sipping I’m getting quite a bit of sweetness, but I really don’t think rums like these are designed as sippers.  It’s a little rough but nothing to out of the ordinary at this kind of price point.  Mixed with a cola it froths a little, not as much as some Demerara’s though.  The cola definitely makes the taste of the rum come out more.  It tastes nothing like OVD.  The bottle has definitely got it right Naval style.  Unfortunately the naval style of this rum is more in keeping with Lambs than Pussers.  It’s sweet and spicy and you get a taste of raisin in the mix.  Its like a slightly less spiced and sweet version of Lambs.

    If you enjoy Demerara rums especially El Dorado rum’s and think Skipper may be a cheaper way of getting a similar taste profile, then don’t bother.  This is nothing like those rums.  Nor is it  very similar to OVD.  It doesn’t have the coffee overtones of that rum. At the time of writing Aldi have a 8-year-old El Dorado Demerara for £19.99.  I know where my money would go, this rum is aged for 3 years so the El Dorado has to be noticeably better.  I prefer my El Dorado 5-year-old to this.

    If you love Lambs Navy Rum then I would point you in the direction of Skipper Rum as you will enjoy it. You may even prefer it over Lambs as its slightly less spiced in flavour.

    2 stars

     


     

     

  • Mezan Guyana 2005

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Mazan Guyana 2005 rum review by the fat rum pirateMezan are in Independent bottler from the UK.  This Mezan Guyana 2005 is another rum they have been able to source from DDL.

    Mezan have been offering good quality Independently bottled rums from a variety of distilleries for a good number of years now.  They have offered numerous vintages and marques.

    As with all Mezan bottlings this rum is very keenly priced – around £35 for a 70cl bottle here in the UK.  Mezan’s presentation is consistent with only the island/country of note and the shield ever changing depending on the origin of the rum.  Recently they have began packaging some of their rums with cardboard protective sleeves.  This is one that has benefited from that. In the UK this rum will set you back around £35-40.

    As well as bringing us the range of Mezan rums the owner Neil Mathieson is also involved with distributor Marussia Beverages who import Foursquare rums (amongst others) to the UK and Europe.

    As already noted this Guyana rum comes in Mezan’s familiar bottle – a rounded stubby bottle with a simple colour scheme.  The card sleeve gives you a lot of information regarding the rum.  This is a pot still rum from the Port Mourant still at DDL.  Mezan are relatively inexpensive so its perhaps underrstandable to learn that the ABV for this rum is 40%.  Like most of their other rums.

    I’ve previously reviewed a Mezan Guyana rum from the Uitvlugt column still which I found to be Mezan Guyana 2005 rum review by the fat rum piratefairly average.

    In the glass the Mezan Guyana 2005 is a gold/straw colour.  In keeping with Mezan’s ethos the rum has not been coloured.  The only process other than ageing and bottling that Mezan undertake is a light filtration of the rum.  As a result the rum is clear and doesn’t show any “haze”.

    The nose is quite powerful.  Strong notes of aniseed and licorice alongside black bananas and quite heavy sweet and sour spice from the bourbon oak.  This rum has been aged solely in ex-bourbon barrels.  There is a savoury slightly malty note – a little twang of whisky.  It’s quite inviting.

    Sipping on this rum reveals a lot more of the sweetness.  You get a lot of the aniseed and licorice notes that are perhaps what is distinctive about the Port Mourant still.  It’s quite a fresh tasting spirit.  There’s nothing “sugary” or syrupy about this rum.  It is isn’t what I would call hugely complex or rich like the Velier Demerara’s.  However, what flavours that you do get are well defined and enjoyable.

    It’s intial sweetness gives way to a more savoury spirit.  Slightly salty and almost sweet and sour with all the tangy spices.  It’s a rum which has really interacted with the cask.  As already touched upon this is a clean, largely uncomplicated rum.

    As a Pot Still rum it is reasonably aggressive.  The 40% ABV may have clipped its wings a little but I don’t get much sense that I have lost a lot of flavour.  It’s still reasonably challenging and definitely not a beginners rum.

    European Aged Demerara’s can be quite complicated and difficult to judge.  Compared to Tropically Aged Indies and Mezan Guyana 2005 rum review by the fat rum pirateDDL’s own output they are in many ways completely different rums.  Which is something you need to be aware of before buying such bottlings.

    Factoring in how inexpensive this bottling is I feel that as long as you have done your homework  you are unlikely to be too disappointed with this rum.  It’s not a show stopper and it isn’t sweet in El Dorado terms but it is a solid example of Pot Still rum from the Port Mourant still.

    Good if not quite great.  Solid, workmanlike rum which won’t bowl you over but is nicely made all the same and goes down easily and pleasantly enough.

     

  • Westerhall Plantation Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Westerhall Plantation Rum Review by the fat rum pirateWesterhall Estate was once a bustling hive of sugar and rum production on the island of Grenada.  Nowadays the Estate offers a visitors centre to remind visitors of the rum and sugar production of the past.

    Rum is still produced under the Westerhall Estate brand.  However, it is no longer rum made from native sugar cane, not is it made from rum distilled on the island.  Westerhall’s rums are made from rum imported from Trinidad, bottled and blended on the island.

    Which is not really very unusual in the rum world.  Many producers only bottle and blend their products.  However, it is less common for this type of trade to occur between Caribbean Islands.

    Westerhall Plantation Rum is in the middle of Westerhall’s range.  Westerhall are perhaps best known for their Jack Iron Overproof rums and their Vintage rum.  They have recently introduced and XO 10 Year Old rum which I will keep an eye out for.  Westerhall Plantation rum comes in a classy rounded stubby bottle.  It is 43% and it will set you back around £27 in the UK.

    It is copper pot distilled and aged for 6 years in Bourbon casks.  It seems to pride itself on being “silky smooth”.  Something which I am always a little suspicious about.

    The first thing that surprises me about Westerhall Plantation is just how light it is (lighter the their Superb Light Rum- work that one out!).  It is a straw colour (it is much lighter than it appears in the stock photo).

    IWesterhall Plantation Rum Review by the fat rum piratenitially, when poured in the glass the rum gives off quite a lot of alcohol on the nose.  However, give it a little time and it quickly subsides.  The nose is similar to an Angostura branded rum.  There is a nice buttery almost honeyed note on the nose.  Touch of vanilla and a little cashew.  It’s not a bad nose but it is a little young.  The “silky smooth” claims seems a little out of step as this doesn’t seem as smooth, as for instance, Doorly’s or Angostura’s 5 year old offerings.

    Taking a small sip of the rum it does taste quite young.  It’s pretty fiery with a lot of upfront spice and some bitter woody notes.  It leaves an okay finish which is warming and quite subtle considering the heat of the rum initially on the palate.

    A better size sip allows a lot more flavour to come out.  I am now experiencing some familiar vanilla notes and definite signs of slightly spicy oak ageing.  The sweetness on the palate is very short leaving a very oaky finish with quite a lot of spice.

    It’s a pretty unremarkable rum if I’m buying honest.  Too similar to the Angostura 5 Year Old and VAT 19 to be able to really set it apart from those two cheaper rums.  I think I actually much preferred their own Superior Light Rum to this.

    Westerhall Plantation Rum Review by the fat rum pirateThis isn’t a bad rum but it isn’t a very exciting rum either.  Unlike Clarkes Court’s Old Grog (also from Grenada) it doesn’t have anything exciting or different to recommend it.  It doesn’t do anything wrong as such – it can however be surpassed by less expensive rums.  It offers a very so-so sipping experience.

    Which had me reaching for the cola.  Unsurprisingly like most average sippers it mixes quite well.  It makes a smooth rum and cola (some rums seem to be able to smooth out cola a little especially the mouthfeel) but it doesn’t offer a particularly exciting or punchy rum and cola.

    This is a pretty middle of the road rum.  It doesn’t really capture my imagination and all in all is a pretty forgettable rum.  It’s functional and there isn’t a lot of bad things to say about it but maybe that in itself is the real problem.  I’m just pleased I only shelled out for a 50ml bottle!

    2 stars