Black Head Rum
Another holiday bottle that I thought I would review. I found this in a Supermarket in Ayia Napa amongst a selection of cheap looking Greek and Cypriot rum. I passed on the various Greek/Cypriot efforts and settled for this Black Head Rum. It is distributed by Slaur International, Le Havre, France. Those who have read my introduction will be aware that amongst my first rum tastings was Bardinet Negrita rum. That rum was also French. Negrita also had a rather questionable stereotype on the label. I’m really pretty shocked by this one to be honest.
Like Cabo Bay rum it has some ” faux medals” on the label, once again these don’t attest to the rum actually winning any awards. I was only able to find (it found me really) a 1 litre sized bottle at 37.5% ABV. To be honest I wasn’t really going to search around looking for a smaller bottle as it was only 8 Euro’s anyway.
Black Head Rum comes in a
standard bar bottle with a gold screw top, which was pretty cheap to be honest. The presentation is simple and uncluttered. The front label states it is “light and mild savour”. In all honesty I thought this rum was pretty old and had just been hanging around in his shop for years and years. I bought it out of curiosity really. Upon looking on the internet the rum, still with this presentation is available should you wish to purchase it. An old bottle was also available on the Whisky Exchange for £199 http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-16175.aspx and another bottle from the 20’s can be viewed here http://www.finestandrarest.com/rum.html
Although the rum has been around a while it just seems to be a cheap mixing rum. It does state on some of the older bottles that it is a product of the West Indies but it seems something that is mostly available in France. Obviously with the dated presentation and cheap price I’m not expecting a great deal from this rum. It’s a curiosity novelty purchase rather than a serious considered selection.
When nosed the rum initially smells mostly of alcohol fumes. After settling for a little while the rum smells very sweet as well – it reminds me in some ways of 1 Barrel Rum. I suspect this rum has not been aged for long at all and the “Rhum Braun” as it is described on the rear is due to added caramel. This may also be contributing to the smell. Foolishly I tried sipping this rum. The sipping experience was similar to trying neat alcohol for the first ever time – when you were sober. Not nice. The taste was mostly alcohol and the burn was harsh but thankfully quite short. Leaving a nasty bitter chemical taste in the mouth. I add an ice cube and whilst the rum still smells quite inviting in a sickly kind of way, other than reduce the alcohol burn it doesn’t offer anything different. No flavour.
I’m adding a little cola in the hope that the rum will offer something when mixed. So far the experience has been like trying cheap vodka or whisky neat – not pleasant. However, this does state its a mixing rum so I’ll give it a go. The sweetness of the smell comes through a little more with cola and you get a kind of maple syrupy/caramel kind of flavour, however it only hints at this taste and very quickly disappears leaving only that astringent alcohol taste again. After a few gulps it’s just really bitterness and chemicals that you are tasting. It’s a drink which leaves you feeling that the headache in the morning really won’t be worth it. It’s difficult to drink this to be honest its so bad.
I suppose reviewing rum’s like these gives perspective if nothing else. If this has indeed been imported from the West Indies then it’s a shame the ship didn’t sink on the way over. To be honest I wish I’d left the rest of the bottle in Cyprus!
Foursquare Rum Distillery should need little or no introduction. Over the past few years alone, the distillery has released a number of new innovative rums.
The nose exhibits a classic Bajan rum profile. Nice bourbon oaked notes, vanilla and some rich dried fruits. The extra ABV introduces extra smoky and spicy elements. The aromas are more intense – its like a Bajan concentrate. As reflects all of Foursquares output the nose is nicely balanced and wonderful to nose. It reels you in. Even the empty glass is a joy! (not that it will last long)
Chairman’s Reserve Master’s Selection – UK Rum Club Exclusive. This particular post isn’t going to be quite what you might be expecting. It’s not MY review of the Chairman’s Reserve Master’s Selection – UK Rum Club Exclusive.
The Duppy Share Duppy White Jamaican Rum. The original incarnation of “The Duppy Share” has been around for a number of years. The brand also released a Spiced Rum, a short while back. I’ll get that reviewed soon……..
ritish (but with Jamaican parents/roots) Hip-Hop/Grime rapper/songwriter and producer 
e as well which runs right across the sweeter, fruitier notes.
J Gow Culverin. Regular readers of this website should already beware of the J Gow Rum Distillery from Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands, Scotland.
It is in the mixing department where you likely will get the most joy out of J Gow Culverin though. A combination of the higher ABV (than most standard white rums) and a more interesting flavour profile makes it really stand out in mixed drinks. Simple things such as a Rum and coke/lemonade are really good with this rum. The slightly sour notes work nicely alongside the sweeter green apple and citrus notes to give you a really enjoyable and very punchy long drink.
Admiral Rodney Saint Lucia Rum HMS Formidable. As you may have guessed from the title this new edition to the Admiral Rodney line up is the “top of the range bottling”. There are now three regular editions of Admiral Rodney available – HMS Princessa, HMS Royal Oak (this being the original Admiral Rodney blend) and HMS Formidable.
Berry’s Bros & Rudd (BBR for short) is London’s oldest and one of its most respected wine and spirits merchants. They have traded from the same shop in St James Street since 1698.
