Bristol Classic Rum Providence Estate 1990-2012

Bythefatrumpirate

imageIn late 2015 a curious bottling of Trinidad rum – Providence Estate arrived on the scene from Bristol Classic Rum.  It certainly caught my attention somewhat more than perhaps yet another Caroni offering.

Which turned out to be a bit of shame for me as this is in fact another Caroni Offering (we think)!

Providence Estate was/is a sugar plantation. Bristol secured some years ago a few barrels of rum distilled at Caroni with molasses from the Providence Estate located near Chaganos just south of the Coporo River. Using water with a low mineral content and distilling the spirit on an old patent still a slightly heavier rum than normal was produced.

Bristol have bottled this rum which was distilled in 1990 at varying ages – each time they have finished the rum in Sherrywood and this most recent release is no exception.  It has been matred here in the UK.  Bottled at 46% the rum comes in the usual stubby Bristol bottle with a yellow colour scheme and a pretty hefty price tag of around £110.

The Sherrywood finish has resulted in a Hydrometer Test which displays 26 g/L of possible added sugar or other additives.  As John Barrett the CEO of Bristol Classic Rum is very much looking to create authentic if at times slightly eccentric rums.  I do not think John had deliberately seeked to cynically add sugar to this rum.  The result is likely the result of unsteamed sherry casks.  I won’t speculate any further.Providence Estate Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that this rum was distilled at the Caroni Distilery if there was a distillery or still at the Providence Estate I am happy to be corrected.  As always information is happily welcomed!

Either way this is a 22 year old Trinidad Rum which should be a pretty interesting spirit.  John Barrett of Bristol Spirits has informed me that this will be the last bottling of the Providence Estate series.

The first thing I note about this rum is how dark it is, this must be due to the Sherrywood and 22 years of ageing as Bristol do not add Caramel colouring and are more than comfortable releasing rums with natural colour.  It’s a very dark brown with a reddish hue.

The nose is reminiscent of other bottlings from Bristol -their Spiced and their Port Morant 1990-2015.  It’s sweet and rich full of raisins – the Sherry influence is huge.  The nose also has a slightly “old” note to it slightly musky perhaps.  I find this in a few Bristol bottlings and I fancy it is due to UK ageing.  It may sound unpleasant or a criticism but it isn’t its just distinctive and different.

As you dive deeper into the nose you detect more notes sulphur, a little tar and tobacco.

Sipped you are presented with a rum at the sweeter end of the spectrum.  You get that sherry like flavour, sweet dessert wine especially on the entry.  Rum and Raisin ice cream.  It’s smooth but with enough oomph to still satisfy a “proper” rum drinker.  The 46% ABV is welcome.Providence Estate Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

To be honest, this rum seems to be a lot lighter than some of the Caroni’s I have tried.  It has taken on a lot of the Sherry especially when you first sip.  You do get a little of the Caroni “twang” but I think Bristol have done the right thing in marking this as Providence Estate, rather than Caroni.  It would puzzle the Caroni lover.

For all its sweetness at no point do you feel like you are drinking anything other than rum.  It still retains enough rum character to prevent it slipping into the Ron Zacapa or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva territory.  The finish for instance is long and has enough notes of tar, tobacco and leather to satisfy.

It’s a very easy drinking rum.  It’s an interesting and so far as my rum journey goes a very unique rum.

It’s very enjoyable and another rum that only Bristol would release.

4 stars

 

 

 

 

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    Bythefatrumpirate

    Claudionor Aguardente de Cana Cachaca Rum Review by the fat rum pirateClaudionor Arguardente de Cana. Not all Aguardiente de Cana is classed as Cachaca. However all Cachaca is Aguardente de Cana. Confused? Welcome to the world of sugar cane spirits.

    Although Claudionor is noted as being Aguardente de Cana it can still call itself a Cachaca. The reason is pretty simple. Cachaca to be legally noted as such must only be bottled at between 38% and 48% ABV. So Claudionor just sneaks in as Cachaca. Not that worries me, as we will be branching into a few Aguardente de Cana’s and even some Mexican Charanda (Mexican rum if you like) going forward.

    Claudionor is produced in Januaria, Mins Gerais. It is named after its founder Claudionor Carneiro. It was originally available back in the 1920’s when Cachaca was sold in flagons and barrels to merchants and sailors who navigated the Sao Francisco river. Soone Claudionor’s Januaria Cachaca.

    Three generations on Claudionor Aguardente is still in great demand and it is partly due to its high proof and strong flavours. It is produced organically in time honoured fashion and is aged in Amburana wood casks. Some of which are up to 100 years old.

    Presentation wise this is similar to a few other Cachaca’s. The Red, Yellow and Blue colour scheme reminds me of other Latin American countries but it is quite striking. Though I do think the western market may find it a bit old fashioned and a touch on the gaudy side. The metal screw cap has Cachaca de Minas stamped on the top and the neck of the bottle notes Cachacas do Brasil. The bottle size is unusual from a Western point of view as well being 670ml. The bottling I am reviewing was produced very recently on the 19 February 2018. I know this has been produced on a Pot Still and it has been aged for 1 year.

    In the glass Claudionor is the colour of white wine. On off white colour. This suggest maybe not a lot of ageing but the native Brasillian woods often do not colour the spirit too much and the use of colouring is not common in Cachaca production – unlike rum.

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    Sipped Claudionor is a very clean tasting Cachaca. It has a lovely flavour from the native wood which is creamy and sweet with just enough spiciness to add the required layer of complexity. It is a sweet yet quite powerful spirit. This is quite different to some of the other Cachaca’s I have been trying. It’s spicy and woody but it never feels over oaked. The freshness of the sweet sugar cane and the vanilla notes balance the wonderful complexity of the spices from the wood.

    It is very easy to sip – you certainly do not feel it is a near 50% spirit. The finish is spicy and refreshing at the same time. The spices from the wood are complex but never over bearing giving a really nice finish to the sip. It’s a long finish with a lot of flavour. Sweet and spicy with a little hint of wallpaper paste.

    Really good stuff

     

     

  • Rum Nation Rare Rums Savanna 2006/2016 10 Year Old

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Rum Nation Rare Rums Savanna 10 Year Old Review by the fat rum pirateRum Nation Rare Rums Savanna 2006/2016 10 Year Old. Reunion Island is perhaps not the first place on the map you will think of when the word rum is mentioned. Nor indeed is it when anything else is mentioned either.

    Reunion Island or La Reunion is a French Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. To be honest it isn’t particularly famous for anything in particular.

    However, its rum (or rhum) distillery Savanna is gaining a bit of a reputation amongst rum enthusiasts looking to cast their net beyond the usual rum locations. Like Fiji and Madeira – Reunion is growing a name quickly in enthusiast circles for very distinictive and at times very pungent or funky r(h)ums.

    Fabio Rossi of Rum Nation has been quick to seize upon the growing popularity and this 10 year old rum from the Savanna Distillery is one of a number of rums to feature in the Rare Rums series.

    Released in 2017 to the European market this rum has been tropically aged at Savanna for the full 10 years of its maturation. It has been drawn from cask number 674 which yielded 552 bottles. The cask used to age this rum is second fill cognac. It has been bottled at 54.2% ABV which I presume is Cask Strength. This is a rum produced in a “traditional” style from molasses. As it is produced on a French-speaking and French owned Island I will take a punt that distillation has taken place on a Creole Column Still.  A bottle would set you back around 65-70 Euros. None of the Rare Rums Series have been available directly to the UK market. Mainland Europe only.

    Presentation wise you get a nice cylinder to store the stubby bottle in. Presentation has been dialled back a little in terms of colour scheme to give a more classic appearance than the usual Rum Nation bottles, which in themselves are quite understated. A synthetic cork stopper completes the look. Top marks go to Rum Nation information wise with these bottlings. It also appears that they have also resisted dosage with these rums.

    Should you wish to learn more about the Savanna Distillery then please check out this post from Lance over at The Lone Caner.

    So without further ado lets see how I found this particular effort.

    In the glass we have a rum which presents itself as  dark brown with orange almost red flashes. Nosing reveals a very interesting intense almost sherried spirit. A very sweet nose of fortified wine and rich plump wine soaked raisins. Sherry trifle alongside some orange peel and herbal notes.

    Sipped it is less sweet than the nose. Much less sweet. There is a lot of influence from the oak ageing – very citrusy tangy oak ageing with just a top note of cognac/brandy. It is quite an intense, very fruity rum. There is a lot going on it is very rich and clearly benefits from the tropical ageing. It has a good balance as well. Its quite deceptive and easy to sip on. It has commonality with the Foursquare 2013 – rich, sweet but with an underlying menace and undoubted rummy-ness.

    Lots of stoned fruits and a good deal of citrus zest to make it very moreish. There is enough oak and spiciness. Slight nods toward medicinal, almost cough mixture like notes. A touch of refreshing “menthol” also flits in and out of the mix.

    There is a touch of tobacco in the finish, which has a lot of spice and fruitness. All in all its very tasty and interesting. It’s different, quite tannic with notes of red wine but the bitternesss never quite develops – the sweeter notes keep it at bay.Rum Nation Rare Rums Savanna 2006/2016 10 Year Old rum review by the fat rum pirate

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    All in all a very interesting rum and one I am pleased to have spent time with. Expect to see more from the Reunion Island on this site going forward.

  • Admiral Rodney Extra Old St Lucia Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Admiral Rodney St Lucia RumThe first rum I tried which wasn’t from a supermarket was a bottle of Chairman’s Reserve.  Chairman’s Reserve is from St Lucia Distillers, as is this rum.  The rum is “ACR” (Authentic Caribbean Rum) which is a accreditation system drawn up to identify a]Authentic Caribbean Rum.  There is also a petition ongoing to save Authentic Caribbean Rum.  Historically, Admiral Rodney is much the same as Captain Morgan (no not the actual rum).  Admiral Rodney was the military governor of St Lucia after the British seized the island back from France in 1762.

    Buying this rum in the UK will set you back around £45 so you need to make sure you like this type of rum before buying.  That’s a lot of money to be sat with something you don’t like and to expensive to just guzzle down like a drunken sailor.  I don’t know the price in the US of A because……..I don’t think you fella’s can get it unless you vacation in St Lucia.

    Admiral Rodney comes housed in a sturdy cardboard presentation box.  The bottle itself is a decanter style bottle.  It has a huge wood and cork stopper.  The presentation really is excellent. The rum looks expensive and anyone visiting will be drawn to THAT bottle and want to try some.  There is no ageing statement on the bottle.  Looking online I have learnt that the rum in this blend is up to 12 years old.  So its pretty good aged stuff.

    Upon pouring out, the rum is  a rich amber colour, it is quite thick and viscous, the legs flow slowly down the sides of the glass when swirled.  Nosing the rum reveals a sweet brown sugar, caramel and molasses.  Notes of banana and a little tropical fruit.  The rum is sweet yet light not overpowering.  It isn’t a navy type rum.  They haven’t laced it with caramel like so many of the more nautically themed “English” rum’s (Skipper, Lambs etc).

    Sipping the rum is pretty smooth.  There is an alcohol burn but if anything the burn gives the rum a little more character.  It adds a little spice like kick, maybe a little black pepper to the finish.  It adds a little oakiness to the mix.  The rum (like many ACR rums) has clearly not been adulterated.  Any flavours come as a result of ageing.  When sipped an ice-cube brings out more of the fruit flavours.  Banana and a little black grape, hints of vanilla contribute to the overall smoothness of the rum.  The finish is long and very pleasant.  There is bitterness but it gradually fades and the fruit flavours return.st lucia distillers

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    I’m still going to add some cola to the rum.  It makes a lovely rum and cola with a few ice cubes and only a small amount of cola.  The fruitiness combines with the cola beautifully and the oakiness also adds something to the drink.

    So far I have yet to be disappointed with any of the offerings from St Lucia Distillers. These rums are similar in many ways to the rum’s of Barbados.  In terms of style I’ll probably always rank these as Bajan (even if they aren’t).

    4 stars

     

     

  • Berry Bros & Rudd The Classic Range Guatemala

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Berry Bros & Rudd The Classic Range Guatemala Rum review by the fat rum pirateBerry Bros & Rudd The Classic Range Guatemala. When it comes to rum there is little doubt that over the past 20 years Guatemala has become on of the worlds biggest players.

    Global rum brand Diageo, now own Ron Zacapa and other brands such as Ron Botran have made an impact on the UK and European market. Newer entries to the scene such as  El Pasador de Oro and Ron Barca are also growing in popularity in mainland Europe.

    It’s not all good news for Guatemalan rum though. A lot of more serious rum enthusiasts no longer get as “enthused” about releases by the likes of Ron Zacapa, due to the knowledge that they use additives. This is further compounded by the fact they continue to deny the practice. Stories about ageing in the clouds and herb/flower gardens haven’t helped either. Brands such as Ron Botran have also been criticised for using a glycerol to “smooth” out their products. That said, I still think they (Botran) stand up as decent rums.

    This means that whenever Guatemalan rum is mentioned in some circles, it is met with disdain. I’ve not tried a lot of “non branded” or Independently bottled rum from Guatemala. The last one I recall reviewing was a Kill Devil bottling from Darsa Distillery.

    I have read conflicting information about how many distilleries there are in Guatemala and the names and descriptions seem to change at will. Most of the independent bottlings I have seen note the Darsa Distillery.

    Unfortunately Berry Bros & Rudd can’t disclose which distillery (or distilleries) this rum is from, nor can they reveal the age of the rum. All I know that this retails at around £30 for a 70cl bottle with an ABV of 40.5%.

    Presentation wise we get a slightly smaller more easier to handle bottle than from the usual Berrys’ range. A nice synthetic cork stopper give this a bit extra class and the presentation is clean, simple and modern.  The lack of real information on this rum may well hinder its sales. That said it isn’t hugely expensive.

    These rums are very much an attempt to introduce key styles of rum to inexperienced rum drinkers. They are fairly easy drinking rums which can be used a sippers or premium mixers.

    In many ways I am reviewing this rum almost “blind” in that I do not know which distillery (or distilleries) it hails from and I have no real idea how long it has been aged.

    In the glass we have a golden brown/straw coloured liquid. The nose is quite floral and has a nice overall balance. It’s fairly light and quite perfumed but not in an over the top manner. It has enough earthiness and oak in the mix to make this quite rummy. Which is nice.

    Creamy vanilla and shortcake appear underneath the floral and perfumed notes. A nice development of oak and spice. Some ginger and nutmeg notes.

    Sipped Berry Bros & Rudd The Classic Range Guatemala, is a quite spicy affair on the palate. Probably more younger alcohol than actual development in the cask, as it a little bit fiery. It’s not bad though and it least it has a bit of character.

    Further sips reveal more of the perfumed, sweeter notes you get on the nose. That said any buying this hoping for a cheaper “version” of Ron Zacapa wil be in for a bit of a shock. This is a much drier and more “rummy” product.

    On the mid palate you get a little bit of butterscotch, some shortcake, butter and a hit of curry powder. Overall its pretty dry and certainly doesn’t give any indication that it is dosed in anyway. The Hydrometer agrees with this theory.

    Finish wise with its lighter style and conservative ABV the finish isn’t overly long but its not half bad. A nice hit of oak and spice and a slight zestiness gives it a nice punchy kick.

    It wouldn’t be top of my list as a sipper but its decent enough – something you could easily have a few glasses of. Maybe a little break from something Cask Strength?Berry Bros & Rudd Classic Range the fat rum pirate

    Mixed the rum works nicely but its maybe a little light overall. It makes a nice smooth rum and coke with a little bit of on oak and spice but its not as robust as I would like.

    It works better in cocktails or with tonic/lemonade which don’t overwhelm the rum quite so much.

    All in all though it’s not bad at all for the money and offers something different so credit to Berry Bros & Rudd for that. I’ll be reviewing all four rums in this range (as pictured) so keep your eyes peeled.

     

  • Stroh 80 Austria Inlander Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Stroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum pirateStroh 80 Austria Inlander Rum. The Spirit of Austria. Stroh is a brand of “rum” that you will likely come across quite frequently, being sold at most shops online.

    Despite the fact, I do not know a single person who drinks or enjoys it. Stroh sits at the lower to mid-priced end of the market. It is an historic brand which has been available since 1857.

    Stroh has had a bit of mixed identity over the years and the term “Inlander Rum” (Domestic Rum) has had it’s meaning changed by recent EU Legislation.

    Domestic Rum, as can be found here with Maraska Room is essentially “fake” rum. As you can see from the review and the pictures of the bottle Maraska can no longer legally call such a spirit rum. It is a neutral spirit with added flavourings or essence – usually vanilla and butterscotch.

    This is what Stroh originally was, with added flavours and spices. There are conflicting stories as well as to whether Stroh also contained a small percentage of “real” rum, from overseas. Now I understand that the base of Stroh is authentic rum produced in Austria from Sugar Cane molasses

    Stroh is available in varying strengths, this is the highest ABV version and the most well known. In the US, due to them not using metric measurements you will see Stroh 160 which is proof rather than ABV.

    Stroh comes in a 50cl stubby hip flask style bottle. The bottle is understood to represent those used by hunters during Austria winter in years gone by. A bottle of Stroh 80 will set you back around £30.

    In the glass we have a very strange coloured spirit. It’s a very strange looking red colour with black flashes (I’m not quite sure how it manages this). On the nose I am met with a plethora of aromas.

    All of which are pretty confected and pretty fake. Toffee, Caramel, Vanilla, Butterscotch (Werthers Originals) and some strange notes, which I can best describe as a mixture of Jägermeister and Licor de Herbias from Mallorca. Both of which I detest.

    Add into this cacophony, a huge waft of sweet sugar and sickly sweet honey notes. It is in all fairness, absolutely rancid and completely fake. Stroh 80 is used quite a lot in baking and I can certainly see why that is the case. This is very, very essence heavy.Stroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    Sipped all you get is a massive amount of heat and some burning notes of sugar and burnt caramel. It has a slightly herbal off note to it, on top off all the sweet sugary notes. Which make it slightly bitter and even more unforgiving.

    This is definitely not a sipper by anyones definition. Probably the type of thing Austria teenagers might “shot” down to get drunk.

    Despite the high ABV, the length of this spirit is very short. You aren’t left with any kind of finish as such, just a mouthful of sickly sweet essence flavours. The burn of alcohol etc, disappears almost instantly on the sip. I’ve no idea where the actual rum has gone in this spirit. It may as well be made with cats piss.

    Stroh is available in various strengths so maybe watering this down might help a bit. Does it? Not really, it just makes the experience a bit sicklier if anything whilst adding nothing of any merit.

    It’s the kind of dreadful novelty nonsense that will appeal to people wanting to seem “hard” drinking high ABV spirits but who have no knowledge of Cask Strength or barrel aged spirits.

    There isn’t a great deal of point being awful about Stroh as unlike a lot of the rubbish out there in the rum market they don’t seem to set their offerings up as anything sophisticated. They know it is used a lot in cookery and are happy with that. I will however still give Stroh a go as a mixer.

    I’m quite surprised to find such a high ABV spirit mixes so easily into a rum and coke. Any heat or boozy notes from the ABV seem to disappear. All I am getting on the nose, is the fake toffeStroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum piratee and butterscotch. It just all smells very sweet an innocent. In terms of flavour, it reminds me of Czech Domaci Rum and Old Monk (I would say Old Monk is a lot better overall though). It’s not rum and it doesn’t really pretend to be. It’s kind of happy in it old little weird place in the world.

    I can’t really be too harsh about Stroh but at the same time I can’t think of a single good thing to say about it.

    I suppose the very short finish of it and next to no mid-palate is a blessing. In all fairness, when you visit their website even they recognise it is used primarily in baking. They aren’t bullshitting anyone.

    As a rum it’s a load of bollocks but as a curiosity it has a little bit of charm I suppose.

    Please though don’t make me drink it again!

     

     

  • Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente by the fat rum pirateFoursquare Rum Distillery Détente. As you will all know Détente is French and is used to refer to a relaxation of strained relations, through verbal communication. Well that’s what Wikipedia says anyway………

    It is often used when referencing relationships between the USSR and the West during the Cold War. Bearing in mind the current relations between certain rum producers, this choice of name does seem a little odd. Whether this indicates a sign of a “relaxing” of hostilities, I am not so sure. I suspect it might not be!

    As with all Foursquare releases we have a lot of information on what has gone into this bottle of rum. First, I will offer my view on this particular release which I believe is following a particular path. I suspect a few of you will have already picked up upon this.

    As we all should know Foursquare are very much against sweetened rum, especially sweetened Barbados rum. Now a lot of people believe that “Sweetened” rum can work as a entry into more Premium rums. I know a lot of people in the rum world who got into rum via something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, Plantation, Pampero etc. For some Spiced rums were their first experience of rum. I still remember having a “Scary Jerry” or two back in the 00’s……

    Now back when the Exceptional Cask Series was re-introduced (after the sole 1998 release) the whole “added sugar” debate was in full swing. A lot of people were really starting to tune into “authentic” rum without additives. Tired of being duped by “Premium” brands. However, to go from “sugar bombs” to cask strength rums from the likes of Caroni and Hampden – is to be fair quite a stretch.

    Now if we chart back the Exceptional Cask Series you will see that a number of the rums have been released at Cask Strength. Not all though. You will also note that the second release Port Cask Finish was released at 40% in June 2014, this was followed in September 2015 by the Zinfandel Cask Blend at 43% ABV. We then had to wait around a little while for the next rum, I believe to be in this little series Premise in January 2018 which came in at 46% ABV.

    Fast forward to August 2019 and we had Sagacity at 48% ABV. Each of these rums had a mixture of ex-bourbon an ex-wine cask maturation. It is perhaps more telling how “approachable” they were. If you look through the ECS series and the Velier releases you will notice that there is a “connection” between quite a few of the rums. I won’t spoil all your fun so have a little look yourselves.

    So as we move through 2020 we are now confronted with Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente released at 51% ABV and partially matured in ex-port casks. Is this the Port Cask Finish for 2020? God knows 2020 needs it!

    In short what I am saying is that Foursquare have introduced a range of sweet (but not sweetened) approachable, yet complex rums and have slowly lifted the ABV to suit the changing mood of the market. I dare say there will be a number of people who have followed the Foursquare journey who never thought they would be able to appreciate rum at a 50% plus ABV. Not in any macho kind of way but lets be fair the less water the more flavour.

    Anyway thats my theory and I’m sticking to it……….

    Shall we get back to Détente now? Yes we best, still got a bit of information on that to cover before I get to the fun part!

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente by the fat rum pirateAs with all ECS releases the rum comes in the usual stubby bottle with the Foursquare “medal” around the neck and the new(ish) synthetic cork stoppers to stop all the moaning about corks breaking……

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente is Mark XIV (14 in English). It comprises a blend of rums from both the Artisanal Double-Retort Pot & Traditional Twin Column Coffey Still.

    In fact it is a blend of two single blended rums – one aged 10 years entirely in Ex-Bourbon barrels, and the other aged 4 years in Ex-Bourbon Barrels, then transferred to Ex-Port Casks for an additional 6 years.

    All rum is aged in total for 10 years. Bottled at 51% ABV in August 2020.
    I think it’s about time for the fun part don’t you?
    In the glass we have a dark to golden brown rum with a reddish/orange hue. Very slightly murky/hazy (suggesting no chill filtration) but only a touch. It might be my manky glass maybe?
    The nose of Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente, is soft and fruity. Strawberries, raisin and some baked apple. Nice hit of Coconut Ice (sweetened coconut confectionary sold over here). Blackcurrants and a very slight note of white pepper and some bourbon and vanilla notes.
    For something at 51% ABV it displays very little by way of alcohol. Or for that matter anything bordering on what I might call “boozy fumes”. It has a really wonderful balance to it and the fruity aromas are fantastic.
    Sipped, it’s got more body on the initial entry than the nosing might suggest. Which is a good thing. It’s got a lovely sweet note on the initial entry but it has a really welcoming hit of oak spices and some heat, but again the balance overall is exceptional.
    Now I really find these 46-52 (ish) percent spirits kind of hit a soft spot for me. Whilst I can and do drink Cask Strength I think this particular “style” of rum works really well for me. I know other people are less keen on the “series” of ECS rums I have detailed earlier. I’m personally a big fan.
    The mid palate evolves into a big hit of raisin, blackcurrant, stewed apples and some dark chocolate with red chilli(?).
    The blend of ex-bourbon and partially matured ex-port cask rum really brings this rum alive and gives it an a real edge. On one hand you are getting all the sweet notes from the Port cask but at the same time you are getting some of the Bourbon-esque spice and vanilla you find in something like Foursquare 2004. This is a bit like a combo of Port Cask Finish and that rum.
    Which is pretty delightful it has to be said.
    Foursquare Rum Distillery Détente by the fat rum pirateFinish wise we get some real Port like notes and what I would refer to as some really dry fruity cask like notes. My mouth feels like an oak cask drying out and taking on those flavours. It’s quite a long fade out and it builds with intensity. Lots of stone fruits – blackcurrants, redcurrants and a good smattering of really nice oak spices. It’s a bit christmas cake like on the finish.
    I really like this rum it starts out from the nose as quite light and maybe not as complex or intense as you might expect. However, it seems to build itself up in complexity w,ith each sip. The finish does make you stop as well to enjoy it as it really lingers.
    To be honest you might want to hold on the finish for a bit as this is very, very drinkable!
    PS – Thanks to Foursquare Rum USA Facebook page. Whose pics I am using for the time being, until I get a bottle of this!
    We might just have the Port Cask Finish of 2020. Which is just what we needed!

4 Comments

  1. It’s Caparo river, Chaguanas, Trinidad – not far below (South) from Trinidad’s capital, Port-of-Spain, and West of the Caroni swamp national park. The old Caroni distillery did many different “marks” of rum, some heavy and some light. Even Velier has released both, and they do differ significantly. Perhaps the lighter spirit has inspired Mr. John Barrett to use sherry casks here – as well as to name it according to the old, long defunct sugar estate and distillery.

  2. Thanks for the review.
    Is it very sweet compared to the Velier 12/15?

    And any idea if Bristol Spirits have more rums from 80s/early 90s?
    Do they have a new version for the 74 Caroni?

    1. Thanks as always for reading!
      It is noticeably different to the Velier 12 and 15 Year Old Caroni’s especially the 12.
      I’ve spoken to Bristol Classic Rum and their stocks of this the Rockley Still, Enmore and the Caroni 1974 are now pretty much depleted their won’t be anymore runs of them.

      However they are putting out a lot of very interesting rums from the likes of Foursquare, Santci Spiritus and rums from the likes of Haiti and Mauritius.

      1. I was looking at this and was at two minds whether to get it. You cant find many 90s caronis these days but i am not so much fun of sweet rum.

        Pity. Had some hope that they might have more rum from 70s/80s that they had not bottle it.

        Do you know why they release bottles with delay in the market?

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