Exotic Tramp Cocktail Chocolates

Bythefatrumpirate

Exotic tramp Chocolate and truffle review by the fat rum pirateExotic Tramp is the brainchild of Sian Petter.  You may have come across Sian and her husband James at one of the numerous Rum Festivals in the UK or at a variety of markets in her local area.

Exotic Tramp produce Cocktail Truffles and Gifts.  For those into the Tiki scene they have also recently produced a number of Tiki style mugs, to add to their portfolio.

You can find their Tiki Mugs and Chocolate truffles online at their Etsy store.  For the purposes of this “review” I will be looking at their Chocolate Rum Truffles and Canes.

Now there are few things in life I like more than Rum and Dark Chocolate.  Exotic Tramp have a range of “rum related” chocolates which I just simply had to try. So without further ado lets go through each of the chocolates on offer…..

Pusser’s Painkiller Canes/Truffles

What could possibly make a Pusser’s Painkiller any better? A pairing with Dark Chocolate of course.  The only serious choice you have to make with these is whether to opt to buy 4 canes of chocolatey goodness or 12 individual truffles.

The Pusser’s Painkiller Canes encase a Salted Butter, Condensed Milk, Pussers Gunpowder Rum, Pineapple, Orange, Nutmeg and Coconut Milk truffle into 70% Madagascan Dark Chocolate canes finished with a flourish of White Chocolate.

The Painkiller filling is absolutely beautiful.  Lovely creamy coconut and a very nice hit of Pusser Gunpowder rum. The dark chocolate covering truffle is just the right amount.  You get a nice dark chocolate hit but not at the expense of the more delicate truflle.

The Truffles are much the same though you get 12 chocolates per pack. Maybe a touch more filling to chocolate ratio which makes them slightly more boozy?

Whichever way you enjoy the Painkiller chocolates they are fantastic. The Painkiller filling is really authentic and works wonderfully with the rich dark chocolate.

Rum and Damson Canes/Truffles

Next up we have a chocolate which I understand is very close to Sian’s heart.  From what I understand Sian has great childhood memories of picking Damsons and Damson Jam etc so she sought to create a chocolate which would remind her of such happy times.  I do hope her childhood didn’t involve quite so much rum though!

Once again Sian turns to her favourite rum Pussers Gunpowder as the alcoholic base for these chocolates.  For those not familiar with Damsons they are a variety of plum and quite strong and distinctive in flavour.

Once again these chocolates come in a 4 pack of canes or 12 individual truffles.

Exotic tramp Chocolate and truffle review by the fat rum pirateThe filling this time comprises Salted Butter, Condensed Milk, Cocoa Butter, Pussers Gunpowder Rum and Damson Jam.

These chocolates are more of an aquired taste.  The strong Damson plum taste may not be for everyone.  They are sweeter even than the Painkiller chocolates.  Forget about any diet if you buy any of these chocolates!

I like these though I confess I couldn’t eat many of them.  The Damson really combines with the rum to give a very strong boozy tasting plum sauce.  They are very rich.

With these I think I prefer the Canes as there is a bit more chocolate to temper slightly the richness of the filling.

Pusser’s Mai Tai Canes/Truffles

These are the final “rum” related chocolates on review today.

A Mai Tai made with Pusser’s Gunpowder rum sounds awfully good – A Mai Tai truffle sounds even better Salted Butter, Condensed Milk, Pussers Gunpowder Rum, Orgeat, Lime Zest and Triple Sec.

Exotic tramp Chocolate and truffle review by the fat rum pirateThese are definitely the booziest tasting of the rum chocolates.  Again the cocktail filling is really nicely put together.  Really tasty and full flavoured.  The Dark Chocolate adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

Really good, really boozy and really tasty.  I think these might be my favourites but I may have to double check first…..

Once again there is a really good balance between the truffle and the dark chocolate.  The Dark Chocolate used to create these chocolates really is top notch.  Not too sweet and definitely not too bitter.  Just a nice level to satisfy any Dark Chocolate nut. Add in them being a rum nut and you’ve a winning combo!

Now at this stage in proceedings I will make a disclaimer.  I do know Sian who creates the chocolates.  I did get these chocolates when I saw her at Bristol Rum Festival last month.

However, I did pay for my chocolates. Initially I didn’t really have any visions of reviewing them.  I’d tasted them there and enjoyed them but I wasn’t sure whether a feature on here would work.

To be honest I enjoyed them that much that I decided it would be unfair to the rest of the Rum World, not to let you all know about these chocolates.  You can got to stores such as Harvey Nichols and buy Cocktail Chocolates and even Cocktail Pastilles that aren’t a patch on these. And they are much more expensive as well!

If you like Pusser’s rum and Dark Chocolate you will love these.  Likewise if you are partial to a Mai Tai or a Painkiller.  Heck if you have a fancy for some of granny’s Damson Jam you’re covered as well!

If you do wish to take my advice then Exotic Tramp can be found in the following places

Facebook

Etsy Store

Twitter

 

 

 

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  • That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7

    Bythefatrumpirate

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7 rum review by the fat rum pirateThat Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7. If I ever get around to releasing some rum, please remind if only for the sanity of my fellow bloggers not to call it The Fat Rum Pirate Rum Company. I would also be worried about getting sued for causing repetitive strain injury. TFRPRC….hmmmm doesn’t really flow of the tongue.

    That said neither does TBRC though in fairness it does look a little better. It’s still quite a mouthful though. Anyway, before I digress any further I’ll get on with todays review.

    Which I am quite excited about. Whilst a lot of Independent bottlers have released a number of Foursquare bottlings over the past few years, not many of these Independent bottlers are the Brand Ambassador for Foursquare Rum Distillery.

    For those who are new to the site and/or rum I am of course referring to Peter Holland who is perhaps after Ian Burrell, the UK’s most “famous” rum personality. Yes he is even more well known and (much more) liked than my good self. I’m probably not even third in the well known stakes and I dare say much further down in the liked category……I’m babbling again.

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7 is a Single Blended Rum. It is a blend of Pot and Column Distilled rum from the Foursquare Rum Distillery, Barbados. The liquid housed in this 50cl bottle has been bottled at 50.7% ABV.

    The rum was originally aged in ex-bourbon cask for 5 years in Barbados. It was t shipped to the UK and moved into ex-sauternes casks for a further 7 years. So it 40/60 Tropical/Continental ageing. There were 451 bottles of this available and as of today (22/09/2023) you can still pick up a bottle via Master of Malt for £69.95.

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7 rum review by the fat rum pirateThe rum is part of That Boutique-y Whisky/Rum Company’s “Cinema Series”. These are rums with a “Cinema” conncection. The front label takes inspiration form the 1996 Hollywood blockbuster (which pretty much means I haven’t seen it) Independence Day starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. I assume this has some kind of link to Barbados declaring independence back in 1966. The label designed by Grace J Ward shows the flying saucer which destroyed the White House and Washington, in the film (obviously).

    So there you go I’m sure no-one needs an introduction to the Foursquare Rum Distillery but if you do check out some of my earlier Foursquare rum reviews. There are plenty to choose from……..

    I gave a favourable review to a previous Boutique-y Foursquare release. This release differs in that it has an additional ageing in ex-sauternes casks whereas the previous bottling was ex-bourbon only.

    In the glass the rum is a “classic” golden to dark brown with a slight orange hue. Nosing the rum you will find yourself in familiar territory. Light vanilla, some spicy bourbon notes, a touch of coconut all come through initially.

    Further nosing reveals some stoned fruits – light peach and some stronger notes of plums. No, not those kind of plums. Light toffee and a hint of sweetness from the sauternes cask.

    Sipped again you will find yourself in familiar territory. The rum is rich and warming with lashings of vanilla, toffee and some light acidic sweetness initially. On the mid palate you get more of the oak and bourbon-esque spiciness. This gives way to some apricot and peach notes, giving it a slightly softer mouthfeel.

    As we move into the finish That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Aged 12 Year Batch 7 becomes drier and spicier. The finish is long with lots of dry oak spices and a touch of sweet ripe fruits.That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados Aged 12 Years Batch 7 rum review by the fat rum pirate

    This rum is “lighter” overall than most (if not all) of the recent Exceptional Cask and Velier releases of the past few years. It is more in keeping with the Doorly’s line up. Which is no bad thing.

    I’m a self confessed Foursquare nut and I am rarely disappointed by anything released under their name.

    I’m certainly not disappointed by todays offering. This is a really great rum. Although I know a number of you aren’t enamoured by 50cl bottles  I would make an exception and pick this up as at £69.95 it isn’t badly priced at all. Buy two bottles and you’ll have a litre of Foursquare for £140…….

     

     

     

     

  • Brugal Especial Extra Dry Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Brugal Especial Extra Dry Rum review by the fat rum pirateBrugal have made a concerted effort to break into the UK market over the past couple of years.  The rum has been re-branded and has even found itself in one or two of the nations supermarkets.  The rum is imported into the UK by The Erdington Group based in Glasgow, Scotland.

    In its home country the politically separated island of Hispaniola, or more accurately the Dominican Republic (as opposed to Haiti) it is one of the three “B’s”.  The other big rum producers on the island being Bermudez and Barceló.

    The Especial is the brands white mixing rum.  Unlike its entry level brother the Anejo it is bottled at 40% rather than 38%.  In the UK a bottle of Especial is slightly harder to find than the Anejo and retails at around the £18-20 mark for a 70cl bottle.

    I like the updated presentation of the Brugal line up.  The red, white and blue colour scheme is clean and fresh and the mesh on the bottle gives it a Caribbean feel.  You almost feel like making a few Pina Colada’s with this rum. (Steady on I haven’t any coconut milk).  The bottle is topped of by a blue metal screw cap which is good quality.

    I’ve noticed a couple of white rums noting they are “dry”.  Immediately I am left thinking of gin “London Dry Gin” in particular.  I’m not a huge gin fan so I hope this isn’t infused with too many botanicals!  A few rum companies have tried to introduce “premium” white mixing rums over the past couple of years.  Bacardi have even turned their white sipping rum (Gran Reserva de Maestro) into a premium mixer in a last minute change of heart.  The premiumisation (I hate that word) of the vodka market by Grey Goose (owned by Bacardi) no doubt inspired this.  Whether Brugal have their eye on capturing a few gin drinkers I’m not so sure.  However, it should be noted that like dark rum can often replace whisky and bourbon in cocktails white rum can do the same for cocktails requiring vodka or gin.

    Brugal Especial Extra Dry Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    A quick nosing of the Especial reveals nice fruity notes like many white rums.  Crisp Green Apple and a little banana and pineapple.  Overall the rum is very sweet smelling and slightly floral.  Their is a little of the Spanish/Hispanic style “tobacco” like notes.  However these are more subdued than say Bacardi Superior and certainly the Havana 3 Anos.  The rum has a nice light fragrance to it.

    On with the tasting.  When sipped neat the rum is surprisingly agreeable.  It’s not at all harsh and is pretty pleasant.  The rums in the blend have been aged between 2 and 5 years and this rum has been triple distilled.  The rum is pretty pleasant nice and sweet with very little burn and it is quite smooth by mixing rum standards.  It’s still quite “boozy” but it is a pretty well rounded rum.  As promised on the label, the rum is dry especially in the finish.  The finish is fairly short but it is still quite enjoyable.

    This is a rum which I have enjoyed a lot more than I was expecting.  I’m not a big fan of the Anejo but this is very different.  In a Cuba Libre the rum works really well.  It has enough fruit flavour to work well with the cola and the slightly dry mouthfeel is also quite nice and refreshing.  The triple distillation may have taken an edge of the more oaked and tobacco like notes that are often present in Latin style rums but I’m not really missing those notes.  They are still present but are slightly muted allowing the fruit flavour to shine more.

    This is a very good well balanced, well put together mixing white rum.  The dryness gives the rum an extra dimension and lifts it above many other white rums.  For a mixologist it will give a lot more options in mixed drinks and may well improve the quality of a number of cocktails that require a rum with a more crisp, dry profile.

    Impressive stuff

    3 stars

  • Rumbullion!

    Bythefatrumpirate

    imageWell, Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s Rumbullion! to give it its full name.  Rumbullion is a Spiced Rum made exclusively for Master of Malt as part of their Professor Cornelius Ampleforth’s range of spirits and pre-mixed cocktails.

    Rumbullion! has been so popular with Master of Malt punters that it is also now available in an XO (15 year old) and Navy Strength variation.  This review focuses on the “traditional” standard Rumbullion.

    I contacted Master of Malt about the base rum used for the their rum and how it was spiced etc.

    “A blend of the very finest high proof Caribbean rum, to which was added creamy Madagascan vanilla and a generous helping of zesty orange peel. A secret recipe was followed, and the Professor finished his hearty tipple with a handful of cinnamon and cloves and just a hint of cardamom.”

    I didn’t find out what the base rum so I’m none the wiser.  The information on the Spicing was interesting though.  I didn’t pursue it any further as to be honest I can probably guess that it will be a fairly young Trini rum.

    The popularity of Rumbullion! is not hard to identify.  It is always at the top of a search on Master of Malt and its presentation is quirky and eye catching.  Rumbullion! comes in a faux brown paper bag wrapped bottle, with string around the neck and wax dribbles from the black topped cork stopper.  Originally I thought I would have to lift some of the wax to open but I found that the cap does actually twist round – the wax doesn’t really cover the bottle from the top down it just looks that way.  The bottle has a handdrawn rum barrel with God Save the Queen on it and there is a bit of jackanory story on the front of the bottle.  The name Rumbullion! is also a very rabble rousing, very British name.  They know the British market do Master of Malt!

    A 70cl bottle of Rumbullion! costs around £35 and is bottled at a cockle warming 42.6%Rumbullion! rum review by the fat rum pirate ABV.  Making it very definitely a Spiced Rum rather than a Spirit Drink (less than 37.5% ABV)

    In the glass (its impossible to see the rum in the bottle) the rum pours a very vivid reddish brown.  The nose is very strong with wafts of orange zest – almost marmalade like.  Vanilla is also present but is not the dominant note.  Mixed Peel and a little Ginger and Cinnamon are also present.

    It’s a very big nose but to be honest, for me a little bit too big.  There’s a lot going on but all together it smells a little too sickly sweet for my liking.

    Spiced Rum’s that are suitable for sipping are few and far between.  Sipping Rumbullion! is a very, very spicy experience.  I have no doubt that this Spiced Rum has been produced from more authentic spices and flavourings than many commercially available Spiced Rums.  Synthetic vanilla essence is miles away from this rums taste.  It is very much like a very spicy orange drink – almost mulled in many ways.  Spiced Ginger Orange is how it tastes. Cardamon is also present giving a slight “Indian Cuisine” type curried note.  Despite all this, taken neat Rumbullion! does reveal the youthfulness of its base rum.  There’s quite a lot of alcohol burn as well as intense spicing.  I wouldn’t choose to drink this neat, maybe over ice at a push.  The extra ABV in comparison to other Spiced Rums is very evident.  Perhaps too much for a sipper.

    By Spiced Rum standards, you have none of the usual sickly sweet vanilla and/or lime which spoils so many Spiced Rums and so many copycats are keen to mimic.  Old J or Captain Morgan Spiced Gold take note.

    Rumbullion! Review by the fat rum pirateMixed initially Rumbullion again seems quite sweet but that quickly fades and leads to a dry almost bitter finish.  The Ginger and Cinnamon still shine.  In some ways it becomes medicinal again its very much mulled in flavour.  This is a winter time Spiced Rum rather than a Summer one.  It’s very British and warming.

    For me I appreciate the authentic flavour of the spicings used but I have found myself only really able to mix this and when I do that I find the Cinnamon a little off putting.  I think this is actually a pretty decent Spiced Rum but like Chairman’s Reserve Spiced it is perhaps just not to my own personal tastes.  Fortunately it has quite a lot going on in the mix so unlike the Chairman’s it doesn’t dominate and take over the drink.

    This is well crafted and presented and whilst not my all time favourite spiced rum, its still a lot better than most.  Undoubtedly a few of you will find a bottle of this under the Christmas tree this year.  Ideal in a hot toddy.

    3 stars

     

     

  • Foursquare Touchstone

    Bythefatrumpirate

    FOursquare Touchstone Rum review by the fat rum pirate Foursquare Touchstone. Touchstone represents the 22nd release in the Exceptional Cask Series from Foursquare Rum Distillery, Barbados. This release is a bit of a collaboration in terms of the maturation.

    In January 2019 Foursquare acquired ten casks from the cognac producer Camus. Ten Casks from their Caribbean Expedition Cognac program. After a year the casks were emptied and and the cognac was shipped back to France. The casks were then filled with 2008 vintage and 12 year old ex-bourbon cask rum. The rum was then matured for a further two years. More information can be found here.

    But the maturation didn’t stop there the rum was then further blended with another 14 year old rum. A dual maturation comprising 5 years in ex-bourbon casks followed by a further 9 years in an ex-cognac cask.

    Foursquare Touchstone is a Single Blended Rum (rum from a Single Distillery with Pot and Column elements). It is a blend of light and heavy marques. As usual the distillation,maturation and bottling has all been performed on site at Foursquare Distillery, Barbados.

    Foursquare Touchstone has been bottled at 61% ABV and is free of any additives or colouring.

    Foursquare Touchstone hasn’t quite reached UK and European retail as yet. I’d expect it to retail at around the £90 mark and I don’t expect it to last very long. There is a reason why this is the 22nd iteration of the Exceptional Cask Series – they sell very well.

    Earning Foursquare extra income that perhaps a more continuous release wouldn’t have afforded. It also gives the consumer a myriad of new rums to try. Assuming they can actually obtain a bottle.

    So lets move on and see how this rum stacks up against the other 21 releases in the Exceptional Cask Series.

    Firstly it is probably worth pointing out that only 1 release in the ECS Series prior to this has been aged in ex-cognac casks – that was Dominus. Other Foursquare releases that have benefited some maturation in ex-cognac casks include the now mythical 2006 Velier release and another Velier collaboration – Sassafras.FOursquare Touchstone Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    Unfortunately, I do not have samples of those rums to fall back and compare and contrast. I have an annoying habit of drinking my rum………

    In the glass Foursquare Touchstone is golden brown with a reddish/orange hue running right through it. Despite the lack of chill filtering and colouring it is quite vibrant and shimmers in the glass.

    Nose wise it is quite light and very fruity. A lot of influence from the cognac cask. It has a tangerine like aroma which melds nicely with the spicy bourbon notes and the light vanilla. Nose wise you would not think this is 61% ABV.

    Further nosing reveals some light baking notes – sweet pastry and some light sponge cake. There is a plum like note to this rum and quite a lot of orange zest come through with more time in the glass.

    Sipped, you get much more of the ex-bourbon cask influence. Perhaps a more “straight” tasting rum than I was expecting from the nose. Lots of oak spice, vanilla and a slight peppery heat.

    Further sips see the orange zest return along with some bitter marmalade. I’m getting much less sweetness than I was expecting.

    As we move into the mid palate the spicyness of the rum builds. I’m getting some muted notes of stoned fruits and a touch of bitter pineapple. However the spicy oak and the more bitter citrus notes are the most prominent.

    Time in the glass and a few more sips is needed with this rum. It seems to take its time to fully blossom. Which coincidentally is what you start to get as you sip further. Apple/Cherry blossom and some lighter floral notes come into the mid palate, balancing and complementing the oak spice and more zesty almost bitter citrus notes.

    Time in the glass definitely benefits this rum and it shows its full potential after being rested in the glass. There is a lot of “classic” Foursquare to be enjoyed with this rum.

    The finish is quite dry and maybe not the longest. It again has quite a lot of oak spice. It is reasonably long but its not as complex as I am used to from Foursquare.FOursquare Touchstone Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    All in all this perhaps isn’t one of the best ECS rums that has been released. Having said that it is still better than probably 90% of most distilleries production. I am very much judging these releases almost in a class of their own now. I am probably being far more critical than maybe I should be…….this is still a very good rum!

    If you can get a bottle, buy a bottle. At this point in time I would say that about any ECS release.

    As a footnote though – don’t ignore their standard XO, 12 year and 14 year old releases. They are also very good and easier to find.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Foursquare Penultimus

    Bythefatrumpirate

    FFoursquare Penultimus Rum review by the fat rum pirateoursquare Penultimus. Ah yes I’m ahjead of the game with this Exceptional Cask Series release. In fact I am reviewing this using the final 30ml of it currently available in the UK.

    You’re quite correct it hasn’t been released in blighty yet. However I have contacts, influential contacts. Step forward the wonderful Peter Holland who is the UK (and possibly European) Rum Ambassador for Doorly’s and all things Foursquare delivery.

    Now Peter has been sending me sample of Foursquare releases for some time. However, this is the first one he has hand delivered to the doorstep of thefatrumpirate.com Towers here in (not so sunny) Sunderland up here in the Frozen North. Which was very kind. I had intended to see him at the Newcastle Whisky Festival but unfortunately it was sold out. So he detoured on his way home to kindly drop this sample of.

    So here I am on a Sunday morning analysing my notes from last nights sampling and putting together a rather smug first review of Penultimus. With a broken arm – again. I think the footballing gods are conspiring against the come back of the greatest rgiht footed left back since Denis Irwin. The bastards.

    Oh and this is in the aftermath of a rather fitful nights sleep thanks to storm “Dave”. I was going to comment on what an absolutely stupid name this is for a storm but I’ve seen the next male storm name………..Eddie. I mean come on! Imagine being a storm and they call you “Dave” or “Eddie”. I’d cause extra hell on just for the fun of it.

    Anyone back to the script Wes, Foursquare Penultimus. This represents the 30th releases in the ECS. As the title suggests it is the second last in the ECS. Why they didn’t got for a round 30 I’m not so sure. Though the gap between number 1 and number 2 was a good number of years.

    First up its about the first ECS Series where I actually know what it means without having to consult Google, since they started with the fancy names. So there is a plus point for me.

    As I am reviewing from a sample I have sourced the photos from wherever I could find one! Sadly no rear label shoots. I’ll correct this later. NB II think there is an issue with the photos on this review – I’ll try and fix it!!!!

    Foursquare Penultimus Rum review by the fat rum pirateFoursquare Penultimus is a 15year old ex-Bourbon cask rum blended with a 10 year ex-Bourbon cask with a further  5 years ageing in ex-Moscatel cask (dual maturation). It has been bottled at 57%. This I have been told is going to be the new standard presentation strength moving forward with Limited Edition releases.

    Although the ECS is finishing it does not mean Foursquare’s output will stagnate. There will be something new in Autumn. Foursquare have the better part of 50,0000 barrels maturing at Foursquare, So they certainly aren’t going to stop the aged limited editions. When released here in the UK it should retail at around the £100 mark I should imagine.

    So lets get down to the fun part.

    Straight away on the nose it’s doing a lot of the things you’d want it to. Plenty of that classic coconut and vanilla, a bit of sweetness. Then the Moscatel cask adding a slightly darker, fruitier edge. Nothing over the top more raisins and a bit of fig than anything fresh or jammy. It’s actually quite well judged.

    On the palate it’s pretty much what you’d expect but in a good way. Nicely put together. You’ve got the usual caramel, vanilla, and oak combo. There’s a bit more depth here than your standard ex-bourbon offering.

    The wine cask adds a slightly richer feel dried fruits, a touch of plum, maybe a bit of red grape skin and there’s a gentle spice running through it that keeps things interesting. It does lean a little towards the drier, oakier side but not to the point where it becomes hard work.

    The 57% is noticeable but it’s well integrated. You can sip it neat without too much trouble, though it does open up a bit with a drop of water if you want to take the edge off and bring out a bit more of the fruit.

    Foursquare Penultimus Rum review by the fat rum pirateFinish is very enjoyable. Fairly long, dries out nicely with lingering spice and oak, plus just enough of that Moscatel influence hanging around to remind you it’s there.

    Overall, it’s difficult to pick fault with rum when it is made as well as this. This one maybe is not the most exciting or distinctive ECS release in terms of age or offering a new twist, but it’s hard to fault in terms of balance and drinkability. Which is how rum should be judged rather than on gimmicks, fancy marketing and faux history

    The Moscatel cask is handled well this could have been very sweet. adding something without taking over. It feels like one of those bottles that’ll just quietly grow on you the more time you spend with it.

    I will be ordering a bottle (or two) in due course without doubt!

     

  • An Interview with Leszek Wedzicha – UK Cachaca Festivals 2018

    Bythefatrumpirate

    UK Cachaca Festival London and ManchesterCachaca is a Cane Juice spirit native to Brasil. It is often “lumped” in with rum. Some independent bottlers even label it as rum.

    However as this fascinating interview with Leszek Wedzicha one third of the Cachaca Festivals UK team shows Cachaca is very much its own unique spirit. 

    1. Leszek welcome to thefatrumpirate. Please tell us a little about yourself and
    your background in the Spirits Industry.

    Firstly I would like to thank you for the interview opportunity and the space you are
    opening for Cachaca. My passion for Brazilian sugarcane spirit was born during my time spent in Brazil. I consider myself a Cachaca enthusiast . While learning about different producers and brands of Cachaca I came with an idea to organise some events. In the hope that they could help the whole Cachaca category be more recognised in the UK. I am also representing Cachacaria Weber Haus in various events in the UK and
    abroad.

    2. So tell us all what exactly is Cachaca? It is it rum or is it something completely
    different?

    Cachaca is a sugarcane spirit produced in Brazil. It is made from a distillation of fresh sugarcane juice and it’s alcohol volume (ABV) ranges from 38% to 48%. To which sugar can be add it up to 6 grams per litre.Cachaca was first distilled between 1516 and 1532 and it was first distilled beverage to be made in Latin America.

    It actually makes Cachaca an older brother of Rum to my knowledge. Although Cachaca is made from sugarcane juice with similarities to rum, I believe
    you can not call Cachaca a rum. Cachaca is recognized as a distinctive Brazilian product, having as its exclusive raw material the fermented “must” of sugarcane juice. Most rums  I would say 95%) are made from molasses. There are differences in ABV and wood use for aging. I think is just a matter of time before rum producers will age their rums in Brazilian native wood.

    3. So how does it differ to Rhum Agricole? Would you expect a Rhum Agricole lover to enjoy Cachaca?

    Rhum Agricole is also made from freshly squeezed sugar cane juice similar to Cachaca. It is a “terroir” shaped spirit. However, it is usually distilled to a higher ABV and has different origin. Having said that I believe Rhum Agricole fans will enjoy Premium Aged Cachaca.

    I posted you un-named samples of Agricole Rhum from Martinique and 2 samples of Cachaca to compare and an additional extra premium sipping cachaca to try.

    (This is a feature I will be writing about very soon to see how I got on identifying which was which)

    4.Will Cachaca be a surprise to those familiar with Molasses based rum?

    I believe so. But once we choose the right Cachaca type and the aged wood it
    could be nice surprise. It is great in cocktails as well. These days everyone looks for origin.

    People want more and more details, sugar content etc..The great thing about Cachaca is we know where the sugarcane comes from. Brazil produces organic Cachaca’s already. So we are ahead of the times in many respects.

    5 How popular in Brasil is Cachaca? Is it really the nations spirit

    Cachaca is the most consumed spirit in Brazil. It’s consumption is almost 5 times greater than that of Whisky (348 milion litres) and Vodka (270 milion litres). Brasil has an installed capacity of 1.2 billion liters per year. 70% of which is Industrial Cachaça (Column still and Continuous distillation) and 30% of Artisanal Cachaça (Copper Pot-still).

    Currently, there are over 40 thousand producers (some 5 thousand brands) and micro-enterprises represent 99% of this universe. The sector is responsible for the generation of more than 600 thousand jobs, directly and indirectly.

    6. How is it Cachaca consumed back in Brasil?

    Cachaça is drunk in Brazil in various forms from Caipirinha, Rabo de Galo or Batida
    and could be used as an ingredient for various cocktails. It is an extremely versatile drink. Remember it can be aged in over 30 different woods.

    It can be consumed neat and brings a fantastic sensorial experience. In addition, many festive dates use cachaça to make seasonal cocktails like ˜Quentao˜, a kind of mulled wine made with Cachaça.

    7. In which other countries beside Brasil is Cachaca popular? Does it have a global
    audience?

    In 2016 Cachaca was exported to over 50 countries with Germany followed by the United States being the higher importer. France, Portugal,Italy and Spain were also high in the ranking. The UK alone imported 396,949 USD* worth of Cachaca .You can find Cachaca all over the world these days.

    * source Cachaca Export Ranking
    http://indicadores.agricultura.gov.br/agrostat/index.htm

    8. You have targeted the UK with the Cachaca Festivals? Why have you chosen  the UK? Have you ran festivals in other European countries?

    I believe there is a market and huge opportunity for Cachaca in the UK. Sadly lack of
    information about the spirit and strategies chosen by big Cachaca brands have not worked so far. Cachaca is always on side in Rum or Spirits events but I believe we have a fantastic product.

    In the future we should look the different approach to show what Cachaca really is and get its rightful place in the market. To my knowledge these are first dedicated Cachaca festivals outside of Brasil and we are hoping to make these annual events.

    9. What are your aspirations for the Cachaca festivals? Do you hope to entice rum lovers?

    The idea is to make Cachaça known worldwide.

    Show its versatility, different terroirs within Brazil (more than 26 states with the extension of Europe in scale) and make rum and cocktail drinkers passionate about Cachaça.

    10. What about lovers of other spirits such as Whisky and Gin?

    Cachaca is the opportunity to try something new. The woods present in the aging of
    the cachaca can add all the palates.

    11. Do you also enjoy Molasses based Rums?

    Yes, I do. I am not an expert on molasses based rums but I have enjoyed for example: XM Royal 10 Year old Rum, El Dorado 15 and more recently Penny Blue from Mauritius.

    12. What Cachaca brands do you think we should be looking out for?

    There are so many great Cachaca producers. Unfortunately many of them are not
    available outside Brazil. I would rather not mention the brands but please come and join us in the festival to discover how unique and special Cachaca can be.

    Thank you Leszek for a fascinating insight into the wonderful world of Cachaca. Leszek makes up just one third of the Cachaca Festivals UK team. The festival is head up by the House of Cachaca.

    Also involved are veteran Rum Festival Organiser Jon Rees who also puts together the Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter Rum Festivals under the UK Rum Festivals banner. Jon was particularly keen to get involved in the venture

    “I have been running rum events in the UK for six years and wanted to showcase the diversity of sugar cane spirits. Having only know Cachaca as an ingredient for a Caipirinha, I was amazed at the taste that aged Cachaca had and the different woods used for aging. When I was asked to help with the Cachaca festival I jumped at the chance to help showcase this much-understated spirit in the UK”

    Making up the trinity is Hugo Tolomei, born in Rio de Janeiro, is an economist. He has adopted Europe as a home and currently resides in London, England. Entrepreneur and spirit specialist, he is passionate about  good Cachaça and has as his dream to popularize Brazilian culture through the four corners of the world through caninha.

    Details for the UK Cachaca Festivals 2018 can be found On Event Brite there are events in Manchester and London

    Manchester is 7 April 2018 at the Britannia Sachas Hotel, M4 1SH 

    London is 14 April 2018 at the Unit 5 Gallery E2 8NH

    More details can be found on Facebook and Twitter should you need it.