Foursquare Rum Distillery Empery

Bythefatrumpirate

Foursquare Rum Distillery Empery Rum Review by the fat rum pirateFoursquare Rum Distillery Empery. This is one of three “sherried” rums from Foursquare, which have appeared on the market over the past few weeks.

All are official Foursquare releases and all contain rums aged for 14 years. Foursquare Rum Distillery Empery is an Exceptional Cask Selection release. Mark IX – the ninth in the series. Closely followed by the latest “straight bourbon” matured 2007.

I’ve already reviewed Hereditas, which was the Whisky Exchange Exclusive rum and I will shortly be putting Patrimonio to the test which is distributed in Europe by Velier.

This is the cheapest of the three releases coming in at around £65 it’s available at The Whisky Exchange but isn’t exclusive to them. Other retailers are stocking this rum.

Foursquare Rum Distillery Empery is a blend of Pot/Column distilled rum aged for14 years in ex-bourbon casks and a portion of Pot Column distilled rum which was aged for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks and then matured for a further 4 years in ex-sherry casks. It has been bottled at Cask Strength 56& ABV. So it has a very similar make up to Hereditas and Patrimonio.

Presentation wise the ECS have all been released in “traditional” stubby Foursquare bottles which are also used for the Doorly’s rum range. The labels continue to contain a wealth of information on the actual rum. Following issues with the natural cork stoppers Foursquare are now using synthetic plastic topped stoppers in the main – though my Empery has a wooden stopper.

Foursquare have also begun adding a kind of Olympic medal style pendant on the neck of the bottle. They’ve also dropped the “Rum Distillery” part of the title – I personally preferred it that way. For no particular reason I can think of.

In the glass we are presented with a dark brown spirit with a very vivid orange hue. Nosing reFoursquare Rum Distillery Empery Rum Review by the fat rum pirateveals a sweet easy going, very fruity Barbados rum. I would say most people familiar would recognise this as Foursquare product. The sherry influence isn’t quite as pronounced as it is with Hereditas. It’s still fruity – raisins, sultanas and a hint of blackberry but it doesn’t have quite the same sherried note as Hereditas does.

Dark chocolate – almost like fruit infused chocolate and some pistachio are present. Oak spice and some vanilla do mingle in with the nose but the ex-bourbon cask influence isn’t quite as apparent as with other Foursquare releases.

Empery’s nose is similar to Hereditas, however once you begin sipping you realise the differences between the two rums.

For me this rum drinks more like Dominus or Criterion. It’s rich, dark and quite woody. The fruity elements of the nose are dialled back a notch on the sip.

The initial entry is fairly sweet with notes of raisin and red grapes. This quickly moves into a spicy and quite oaky mid palate. The flavours are intense – lots of dark fruits, tobacco and a ginger and black pepper explosion.

This is a drier, more intense tasting rum than Hereditas. Even though Hereditas was bottled at Cask Strength it was much “lighter” and easier to drink. This is a rum you will probably spend more time, between each sip. It’s just a touch more complex.

Finish wise the Cask Strength really plays it part on the finish. It is very long and leaves a real tingle on the tongue. Rich and oaky with a lot of spice from the barrel.

It’s a very good rum (my near empty bottle is testament to that) if another producer put this out it would cause all kinds of ripples amongst rum geeks. With Foursquare it’s just another excellent rum. No surprise really. The surprise will come when Richard releases something mediocre.

In my review of Hereditas, I alluded to the fact that my scoring scale gives me little wiggle room. I haven’t got the joy of being able to rate a rum as 91 rather than 92. To be honest I didn’t do that for a reason – I just don’t think it’s necessary. I really honestly couldn’t justify why I might give Foursquare 2006 95 points and then give Destino 96. I probably would have driven myself mad ranking and rating all theFoursquare Rum Distillery Empery Rum Review by the fat rum pirate rums I have tasted.

Read what I say about the rum. It might be that, what I don’t like about a rum is what you might find really appealing. The score is important but its only my opinion.

I guess this is leading up to a big BUT with this rum. Not really, to be honest I just want to explain why I am awarding this rum a lower mark than Hereditas.

I just find Hereditas easier to drink – Empery has a slightly drier/bitter note, especially on the finish, where Hereditas is fruitier. It’s a personal preference. I know for a fact a lot of rum lovers will prefer this over Hereditas.

Neither rum has a poor “balance” – something which I have always found with Foursquare rums. The balance and blend of the rums is always nigh on perfect. You always feel the rum is exactly what Richard was looking for. He’s produced 3 rums which look very similar when written down. When blended and bottled we have three very distinct expressions. A review of Patrimonio will follow soon. For more opinions on Empery (and 2007) have a look at Rum Revelations.

My advice on which Foursquare rum to buy?

Buy them all. After all Empery means “Absolute Sovereignty” and at the moment Foursquare are pretty much ruling the rum world.

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  • Watt Rum Jamaican Rum Distilled at Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Watt Rum Jamaican Rum Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years Rum Review by the fat rum pirateWatt Rum Jamaican Rum Distilled at Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years. A new independent bottler of rum is on the scene.

    They seem to hail in the main either from Scotland or Italy (in most instances the rum bottled by Italians is aged in Scotland/England). This time we have a new bottler but not an entirely new face.

    Or rather two faces as Watt Whisky/Rum is husband and wife team Mark and Kate Watt. Both have years of experience in the Whisky and Independent bottling scene.

    Mark Watt has worked at both Duncan Taylor and Cadenheads. Whilst Kate is well known for her marketing work at Speyside distilleries such as Glenfarcas and Springbank.

    Watt Whisky/Rum is the Independent bottling arm of the Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd of whom Kate and Mark are the directors. Their ethos is as follows ” good, honest whisky, priced for drinking rather than collecting”.

    To be honest they’ve pretty much got me at that. It’s nice to here something like that in the current market of “investments” and “ballots”. As the two are both well known in Whisky circles there has been quite a buzz around the Watt Whisky brand.

    Maybe not so much in the Rum world however. They have released three rums so far. Of the three – Jamaica, Barbados and Belize, only one has sold out. If I said the Barbados offering was from Foursquare I am sure you can guess which one! That said its has been on sale the longest.

    Now I do have some further information on Watt Whisky/Rum from the various Whisky sites, which have covered the brand already. It’s interesting that a number of whisky commentators have sampled the first bottlings of Watt Rum upon release last year. It’s something I might ask about in the Whisky world.

    It seems the Rum world takes a lot more interest in the Whisky world than Whisky does in Rum. I’m sure most of you can name a few notable Whisky bloggers. I’m not so sure many in the Whisky world could do the same for Rum.

    In saying this I accept that it can be dangerous to be relying on reviews written on the basis of free industry samples. Which is something the Whisky world does very regularly. It’s a much bigger scene than the rum scene. There are literally hundreds of Whisky Blogs, websites etc for every one which is focused on rum. Hey I’m not complaining no one would probably read this shit, if there was a decent alternative.

    So lets see what exactly we have up for review this fine Summer’s Day………

    We already know we have a 16 Year Old Jamaican Rum which was distilled at Clarendon Estate. Which is home of the Monymusk Estate. For their sins they are responsible for a lot of the output which is used by Diageo in their Captain Morgan range. They also produce the rum used in Myers’s.

    It’s a big operation with the largest Pot Still (possibly) in the Caribbean and a “new” Column Still, which was introduced in 2010, which accounts for 75% of its total output. Oh yes the Captain doesn’t have much Pot Still in his Spiced Gold………..

    This rum however I am assured is 100% Pot Still Rum aged for 15 years in the Tropics before being aged for a further year in Scotland. It was bottled at over 16 Years Old at 57.1% ABV. It was distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2021. The rum has been aged in an ex-bourbon cask. It is currently available over at The Whisky Exchange for £115. Bottle size your standard 70cl.

    Presentation wise – it’s a massive step up from Cadenhead’s I can tell you that. Gone is the seventies colour scheme replaced by a much clearer more modern style. The bottle design is simple and uncluttered and the black cardboard sleeve, for storage purposes is equally stylish. It is simple but not as “DIY” looking as some Independents. It looks like something a marketing team haveWatt Rum Jamaican Rum Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    had their mitts on. In this instance I’d say a good Marketing team!

    The bottle is a standard 3/4 style bar bottle with a bulbous neck and a cork stopper keeps the rum nicely sealed. All in all its a good package and befitting the outlay.

    But presentation isn’t what we are here for – its the liquid in the bottle that’s in important. So lets get on to the fun part. I’m 700 words in and I haven’t so much as had a sniff. What a bloody waffler.

    In the glass Watt Rum Jamaican Rum Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years is a medium/dark brown colour with a yellow/orange hue.

    The nose is instantly Jamaican. Sweet, funky and familiar. It’s bursting with Tropical Fruits, sweet Pineapple, Cola Cubes, Black over-ripe Banana and Passion Fruit. At full strength it gives the nostrils a bit of a tickle as the more solvent like aromas come through as well. Paper Glue, Wallpaper Paste and some Nail Varnish.

    Further nosing reveals some lighter baking spices and some sweet buttery pastry notes. Something slightly herbal and a touch of oak and tobacco.

    Despite everything going on it has a lovely balance and is a very “more-ish” noser! I’ve found a few Monymusk/Clarendon Estate rums to be a little “musty” and just have something taking away the vibrancy from the initial fruity and “gluey” notes.

    Sipped at full strength it is more woody and oaked than the nose suggests. The initial sip is more savoury and less fruity. The time in the barrel shows a lot more than I was expecting. That said it is not a criticism as the rum is warming with a lot of spicy oak and some bitter almost tannic like notes.

    It’s a drier less funky profile than the nose led me to believe. A drop or two of water gives some the fruitier flavours a chance to show themselves however. The sweetness is carried by a note of Strawberries and some slightly bitter orange zest.

    Watt Rum Jamaican Rum Clarendon Estate Aged 16 Years Rum Review by the fat rum pirateYou get more of the fruitiness and some of the funk back on the mid palate. Notes of Banana Bread and some almost savoury pastry and buttery-ness. The pineapple notes are dialled back a bit but they do return as you move into the finish.

    The finish is long and has notes of tobacco and liquorice. The wood ageing runs through to the finish with quite a bit of a dry oak and woodiness but it never feels old or stale.

    If I am being honest, the nose is a little deceiving with this rum. I really thought I was in for a very funky, sweet, solventy rum. Regular readers probably know how much I like those type of Jamaican Rums.

    High hopes were dashed a little for me, but its still a more than respectable bottle of rum. I certainly wouldn’t refuse another glass (or eight)

     

     

  • S.B.S – The 1423 Single Barrel Selection Mauritius 2010 The Whisky Exchange Exclusive

    Bythefatrumpirate

    S.B.S – The 1423 Single Barrel Selection Mauritius 2010 The Whisky Exchange Exclusive rum review by the fat rum pirateS.B.S – The 1423 Single Barrel Selection Mauritius 2010 The Whisky Exchange Exclusive.

    As the title suggests UK retailer The Whisky Exchange have teamed up with Denmark’s 1423 World Class Spirits. For this release we have a Single Barrel rum from Grays Distillery, Mauritius.

    Grays Distillery have a number of brands available both domestically and worldwide. They produce the New Grove and Lazy Dodo rum ranges.

    I’ve reviewed a few Mauritian rums in the past more I think from Oxenham Distillery than Grays. I’m sure WordPress will work its magic and add a few relevant links to the bottom of this post.

    S.B.S – The 1423 Single Barrel Selection Mauritius 2010 The Whisky Exchange Exclusive is a column distilled rum. It was distilled in 2010. It has spent the past two years of its life in an ex-Moscatel wine cask. I assume it’s maturation prior to that was in ex-bourbon casks as there is nothing to suggest otherwise. It is a Single Barrel release and has been bottled at a punchy 52.9% ABV. 305 bottles of this are available only The Whisky Exchange. It is priced at £99.95.

    Presentation wise we get the usual S.B.S presentation with the rounded stubby bottle and the “cut out” presentation box. The presentation is modern and focuses on facts around the contents of the bottle. The rum is non-chill filtered and no colouring or additives have been used in its production.

    1423 produce a wide variety of products for the Danish and International market. Much like the UK market the Danish market seems to have quite a leaning towards sweetened products. Though perhaps not the obsession with Spiced/Flavoured rum that sadly is taking firm hold in the UK. As a result this selection of rum from them is at the more serious end of things. It’s aimed at people who want facts and a purer example of rum, without all the additives.

    For those unfamiliar with Moscatel wine, it is produced from grapes of the same name and is a Sherry Wine. As a result its sweet and very raisin heavy. I’m not a wine expert so I’d suggest doing some further research if you want to know more. For the purpose of a rum review I think we know enough now.

    So lets see how this rum goes down.

    In the glass I’m presented with a dark brown spirit with a red/orange hue around it. Pretty sure a lot of this colour is as a result of the Moscatel maturation. I have it on good authority, than any “finish” that is in years rather than months should really be referred to as a secondary maturation rather than a finish. So I will endeavour to use this terminology going forward……..

    Anyway, I digress so I best stick my beak in and let you all know how it noses. Initially when I poured, it smelled quite sweet but (due to having attend an urgent problem on Animal Crossing with my eldest) it had a fair bit of time in the glass….

    By which time it seems to have taken on a spicier turn. Some chilli and black peppercorns. Touch of nutmeg and some cinnamon.

    Beneath this are some fruits but not the sweet fruity raisin I was expecting. There are plenty stoned fruits but they are more of a kind of date/prune kind of affair. More savoury and less fruit sweetness. Theres also a hint of menthol there and a kind of medicinal blackcurrant note a bit like cough sweets or Army and Navy tablets. (British boiled sweets – no idea what they are meant to taste of but they have a kind of fruity/musty taste/aroma).

    It’s an interesting nose and a quite complex one. It’s rich, warm and inviting but not overly sweet. It will certainly appeal to those who enjoy un-sweetened rum but what something with some level of sweetness, without being cloying or sugary. Natural sweetness maybe?

    Sipped the rum is initially quite fruity with more raisin than the nose would suggest. At the ABV of 52.9% it’s very drinkable and whilst I’m not a fan of this term – quite smooth.

    Obviously its a column distilled spirit so it won’t have some of the rougher edges of a Pot Still distillate but even still it’s certainly an easy sipper.

    That said it is by no means an uncomplicated sip. Just because it goes down, perhaps a little too easily does not mean it isn’t complex.

    After the initial sweet raisin entry, the rum quickly shows the spicier elements that were on the nose. So a bit of chilli heat, black pepper and some nutmeg/cinnamon – maybe allspice. It’s an interesting blend of flavours.

    It’s not a very woody or oaky spirit. Most of the flavour is coming from the fruity notes which build on the mid palate – raisin and dark plums come through. Again it’s fruitier than the nose suggested for me.

    As the mid palate move into the finish I notice a slightly herbal note – slight medicinal hit of Calpol. Nothing overbearing or unpleasant though.S.B.S – The 1423 Single Barrel Selection Mauritius 2010 The Whisky Exchange Exclusive rum review by the fat rum pirate

    This is a fairly medium bodied rum overall and the finish initially seems to fade a touch too quickly. However, it almost seems to re-build and leaves you with a spicy and dry fruity taste in the mouth long after the final sip.

    1423 have quite a name of the Cask Finishes or Secondary maturations having worked already with the likes of Worthy Park. This is another example of their expertise in that area.

    This is really good stuff.

     

  • Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Doorly's Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateDoorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years. Yet another release from the increasingly prolific Foursquare Rum Distillery, Barbados. This release, unlike the Exceptional Cask Series (Empery and 2007 to follow) and the Velier collaborations (Patrimonio will also follow soon here) will be available as a constant addition to the Foursquare portfolio.

    After waiting a while for Doorly’s Aged 12 Years to be available outside of Barbados another new Doorly’s release wasn’t anticipated by myself. I was quite surprised when Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years was announced.

    Appearance wise we are faced with the now familiar Doorly’s stubby bottle. Presentation wise the Blue Macaw is again present and the typeface etc is the same as the rest of the Doorly’s line up. In the UK a bottle will set you back around £60 it is currently stocked at The Whisky Exchange.

    Differences from the rest of the Doorly’s range come with the new box (as pictured) which is an improvement on the box used for the Doorly’s 12. The box can now act as a total cover for the rum but can also be used to present the rum. Should you wish to do such a thing.

    The ABV for this Doorly’s has also been increased – 48% ABV. So it’s not Cask Strength but it has a bit more oomph than the 40% ABV Doorly’s. It may be that the other’s Doorly’s rums are also increased in ABV. Doorly’s White is now available at 47% ABV and R L Seale’s also had the ABV increased to 46% here in Europe. Foursquare are now also using synthetic cork stoppers rather than real cork. There have been a significant number of complaints about broken corks (not just from Foursquare products) over the past few years

    Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years is a blend of Pot and Column distilled rum. The rum has been aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks. A portion of the blend was aged in ex-Madeira casks. As with all Foursquare products there are no hidden nasties in the bottle – just rum and a bit of Caramel colouring which is disclosed on the rear label.Doorly's Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years rum review by the fat rum pirate

    In the glass we are presented with a dark/reddish brown liquid.

    Nosing Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years will be a familiar experience for anyone familiar with Foursquare rum.

    With so many recent releases comparisons will be sought. I find both this and Doorly’s 12 to be slightly more “wood driven” than some of the Exceptional Cask series. This is for example more woody than the very Fruity Premise of Zinfandel Cask rums. More oak and less vanilla and sweet fruit.

    This is a deeper nose more in keeping with Criterion or Dominus. Woody oak notes dominate initially giving to some fruit. This is more dark fruits though – blackberries and some prunes. It’s not as blackcurrant forward as Destino but it does have similarities. This is much woodier though.

    It has an almost charred note to it. Little bursts of vanilla and some ginger fade in an out of the mix. It’s not the most complex Foursquare nose I have had recently but it has a nice balance and the notes that are present are nicely done.

    Sipped Doorly’s 14 is quite a spicy rum. Possibly due to the extra ABV. It has a little more kick to it than say the XO. Lots of ginger and spicy oak on the initial entry. There is a slightly bDoorly's Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateitter note in the oak notes. A slight astringency.

    The mid palate shows more of the Madeira influence. Notes of red wine and blackberries mingle alongside dark chocolate and some faint notes of marmalade. Finish wise we are left with a spicy and slightly heated end to the rum – white pepper and lots of ginger and a trace of cinnamon. The finish is very long and the rum lingers for a long time in the mouth. Lots of barrel char like flavour.

    Further sips seem to temper the more bitter and woody notes. More fruitiness becomes apparent. Once the palate adjusts the rum has a much better balance than the initial sip might lead you to believe. The extra ABV means this is a rum worth sitting down and spending some time with. Doorly’s XO you can almost swig straight from the bottle – you don’t want to do that with this. Sit down with it and appreciate it in small sips.

    Doorly’s Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years is as the name suggest a very fine rum. For most other producers this would be the jewel in the crown. There best efforts. for Foursquare it’s just another great rum.

    Having tried so many Foursquare rums over the past few years I have begun picking up on small difference between the releases. I’ve been able to focus on what I personally prefer. At the moment my palate leans towards the more fruit led rums such as Premise, Port Cask, Destino and Principia. This is a slightly “heavier” more woody rum. I think if you enjoy the Real McCoy rums you will appreciate this bottle a little more than me.Doorly's Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 14 Years rum review by the fat rum pirate

    Which is not to say I am not really enjoying this rum. I am, it is a great rum and one which will stand up to anything else on the market at the moment. It’s competition for a space on my shelf comes from its own brothers though.

    When all is said and done this is another beautifully balanced rum – there is enough variety in all the Foursquare releases to recommend purchasing at least one bottle of everything they put out.

    The only people who would be disappointed with this rum are the nuggets that think Bumbu or Plantation XO are great Barbados rums.

     

     

  • Ninefold Distillery Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Ninefold Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirateNinefold Distillery Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum. Here we have another rum from one of the current “hot beds” of Rum production – Scotland. More famous without doubt for their whiskies, small distilleries such as Ninefold have been popping up all over Scotland these last few years.

    This white unaged rum from Ninefold Distillery, has been a work in progress for its distiller for quite some time now and he now has this very striking bottle of white rum on the shelves.

    I have spoken to Kit a fair bit over the past year or so and I requested a few more details on the rum ahead of this review. Kit was very accommodating and offered me the following information. I have not altered this as it is straight from the horses mouth.

    “Ninefold Distillery is set in a converted cattle byre on Dormont Home Farm in Dumfries & Galloway. The farm buildings are around 200 years old and had fallen into disuse over the past 30 years of neglect. The byre would’ve held cows for milking, as did the adjacent modern byre which has been converted into a bonded warehouse for cask maturation (space for around 250 casks). The conversion works took around 7 months, with a further 4 months of equipment installation.

    This has been documented on YouTube in a series of vlogs. Dormont Home Farm is the central farm on Dormont Estate, which belongs to my family. We were looking to set up a business to diversify the estate income and with the strength of craft gin, thought a sideways step to rum (always a favourite but never an enthusiast) might be a good idea.

    I have no background in distilling, not even as a hobbyist, but brought skills from my academic background in experimental geochemistry to help get the place up and running.

    The distillery itself comprises a 1500 litre stainless steel fermentation tank and 500 litre copper pot still with 4 plate rectifying column and condenser. The still was hand-made in Scotland by Speyside Copper Works, and is heated by steam. The fermentation is short and hot, using blended North African and UK molasses and a combination of yeasts.

    The wash is ready for distilling after 4 days. A double distillation (stripping then sprit runs) over 2-3 days completes the process. The rectifying column works in a similar way to a retort system, having the benefit of producing a smoother, higher strength, and higher volume spirit than a simple pot and condenser set up, but also induces esterification of the spirit in the column to produce a clean but flavoursome spirit (hopefully…). The rum is cut to bottling strength (90.3% to 40%) and left to rest for a week before bottling. The whole process is two weeks long.Ninefold Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    Ninefold Pure Single Rum uses the Gargano classification for rum, and the company logo – a six winged angel – that adorns the front of the bottle is the Carruthers family crest. ‘Ninefold’ meaning the ninth level of the celestial hierarchy within which the angel sits.

    As noted earlier, it’s my intention to get rum into casks ASAP. Currently I have some Virgin Oak American Standard Barrels waiting for me with offers of ex-bourbon from a couple of whisky distilleries. These are long-term projects, though. Expect nothing soon I don’t want to rush a cask release just for the sake of it. Quality spirits are what I’m about; no marketing bollocks, nothing to hide.”

    So there you have it. I think Kit has put together a really strong brand and the bottle really does stand out on the shelf. The design is particularly striking and modern. A nicd synthetic chunky cork stopper also gives a Premium Appearance to this rum.

    It is available at few oNinefold Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum piratenline retailers such as House of Malt  it retails at around £35 for a 70cl bottle. As mentioned already the rum has been bottled at 40% ABV. It has been noted on the rear label that this is made for Premium Cocktails.

    I think we’ve covered pretty much everything so far as we may as well move and see if this white rum is as good as the likes of Sugar House Rum.

    In the glass we have a crystal clear spirit. The nose thankfully, is nowhere near as neutral. An initial sweet burst of molasses, toffee and some light vanilla gives way to some spicy notes of ginger and a slightly medicinal note which hints towards some Jamaican funk. Maybe a tiny hint of lemon juice right at the end.

    It’s a sweet, clean smelling rum with not a great deal of alcohol on the nose. With it being unaged there is a boozy element to this but it mingles with the sweeter notes of molasses and caramel rather than overpower them.

    As a sipper this works much better than you might expect. I don’t think it is as funky as Sugar House Rum or Jamaican style white but it has a very nice balanced flavour and profile to it. What was on the nose has certainly carried through and you are left with a very toffee and molasses heavy sweet drop of white rum. At an ABV of 40% it is lighter and perhaps easier to get along with than some of the unaged cask strength Jamaican’s or Clairin’s.

    Funk wise it is not going in that particular direction. In many ways it has quite a lot in common with Veritas from Foursquare. It tastes very much like their is some column distilled or lighter rum in the mix which adds a nice balance to this rum.

    Ninefold Scottish Pot Still Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirateAs a mixer, which seems to be what Kit sees this rum as it works really well. It makes a lovely Daiquiri and works well in a Mojito. Obviously I’ve given it a few run outs with some cola and I’ve found that it makes a very tasty rum and cola.

    It works quite like Appleton White in that it isn’t hugely funky but it has a really nice almost buttery note which makes it very smooth and easy to drink. Flavour wise the toffee and molasses remain throughout.

    If you are looking for a flavourful white rum but maybe want to dial the funk and the more “out there” flavours down a bit this will be worth checking out. It’s got an extra level of depth in terms of flavour than a lot of the more generic and well known white rums.

    This rum will be available to try at the London Rumfest this year and I would recommend you give it a try, especially if you are skeptical about the Scottish Rum Revolution.

  • Gosling’s Black Seal Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Gosling's Black Seal Rum Review by the fat rum pirateSo Gosling’s famous Black Seal Rum. Named due to the Black Seal on the front of the black bottle? Wrong.  Oh and the bottle is clear not black – the liquid held within is black.  This is Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum.  So that must be why it is called Black Seal.? I’m afraid you’re wrong again.

    Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is actually named as a result of the black wax used to seal the original bottles. (old champagne bottles no less)  A black seal.  The Family Reserve Gosling’s actually uses a black wax seal to recreate that oldey world charm.  Personally, I’ve only experienced a wax seal on one bottle – Foursquare Spiced and I found it to be a bit of a pain in the arse to be honest!

    The current Black Seal gets away with this and is sealed with a plastic screw cap. The Black Seal comes in a standard bar/wine bottle.  The front gives all the information you would require and the overall design is decent enough.  The rear label gives some background and on the neck and rear their is a note that the rum gained Platinum status at the World Spirits Championship (scoring 96 out of 100 and being noted as best buy).

    Gosling's Black Seal Rum ReviewThe Black Seal I am reviewing is bottled at 40% ABV and comes in a 70cl bottle.  The rum retails at the £20-25 mark.

    I’ve tried this rum a few times but I’d never went out and bought a bottle until fairly recently.  I was buying a bottle of the Gosling’s Gold (which was discounted) and it just seemed foolish not to buy it’s older brother at the same time.  Gosling’s Black Seal is one of the most easily available rum’s on the market in the UK particularly online.  The rum has quite a high profile (the producers have trademarked their Dark N’ Stormy cocktail) but is strangely absent from UK supermarkets.

    I bought a miniature bottle of the Black Seal 151 (75.5%).  I think overproofs are great and no doubt useful in mixology but for my drinking purposes it wasn’t a hugely enjoyable experience.  I’d tried the Goslings Black Seal on numerous occasions in the Las Iguanas chain of restaurants (a restaurant chain with a better than average stock of rums) but in Dark N’ Stormy’s mixed with Idris Fiery Ginger Beer.  Fiery Ginger Beer and spicy Mexican/Brazilian cuisine doesn’t really leave much rum for a considered assessment of a rum.  I’ve also had the odd shot or two of Black Seal mixed with cola on nights out. However, up until now I hadn’t ever had a bottle and hadn’t really formed a reliable opinion on the drink.  Unlike some reviewers I do not believe in “reviewing” rum’s based on free miniatures or 20cl bottles.

    So on with the rum.  As the first picture shows the rum presents itself as an almost black dark brown with reddish tones.  It’s very much like a port or red wine in colour.  From viewing the rum from the rear of the bottle you can easily mistake it for a port or red wine.  In some ways it is a little reminiscent of a fortified wine (fortified rum anyone?) but anyway more of that when we get to the taste of this rum.

    When poured in the glass the rum retains its dark reddish brown hue.  As you can see from my second picture the bottle is clear and it was the rum making the bottle appear black.Gosling's Black Seal Rum Review  Despite my numerous tastings of this rum I have little idea what to expect from such a dark rum.  My pre-conceptions of such rum’s have been shaken a little by my recent experience of the very strange Bacardi Black (a sheep in wolf’s clothing!).

    The nose is very pungent.  Heavy thick treacly molasses and sweet caramel.  It immediately reminds me of the kind of Jamaican/Guyanan blend of Pussers Navy Rum.  I found the Goslings Gold to be quite “strong” in terms of flavour, for such a light looking (almost straw in colour) gold rum.  It’s older brother certainly cranks that up a notch or two.

    The Black Seal is frequently mixed so I went into this review expecting quite a rough and ready experience when sipped.  The Black Seal sip’s remarkably well.  Despite its pungent aroma it is nowhere near as rough and ready (or as strong) as Pussers Blue Label (the ABV is 54.5% after all).  It’s initially sweet like liquorice, there is a little heat and spice in the mix and the finish is long and slightly bitter.  Black Seal is quite one dimensional in terms of flavour and is reminds me a little of Woods 100 Navy Rum.  However,  I find it less bitter, sweeter and overall much better balanced.

    The very fact I am comparing the Black Seal with Overproof Navy Rum’s tells you a lot about the make up of this rum.  I’ve no doubt that unlike its Bajan cousin’s it probably has some additives in the rum. The rear label states a “recipe” which is closely guarded.  Well it’s a good recipe!

    As a sipper Goslings Black Rum is quite a nice (if slightly one dimensional as mentioned) experience.  In short its a sweet liquorice hit with a slightly bitter and spicy exit.  Having said that its a damn sight better than some supposed sipping rums!

    As a mixing rum, I feel is where Black Seal really comes into its own.  With cola it makes a fantastic long drink with ice and lime.  The Black Seal is like Black Treacle (a very English experience).  Black Treacle Syrup is a very dark sweet liquorice like affair.  Gosling’s isn’t viscous like black treacle but it is every bit as tasty.  One of the joys of pouring a true Dark N’ Stormy is watching how the Black Seal swirls into the Ginger Beer and ice.  Often leading to a top layer of rum (more so with the 151 I’ve found).

    As a dark mixing rum I rate this above Woods, Skipper, OVD and Bacardi Black (such a strange rum).  I personally find that this kind of rum goes brilliantly with Cola and Ginger Beer.  It’s a must in a Dark N’ Stormy.  I’ve seen it said that there is no such thing as a sipping rum or a mixing rum – just good rum.  Well my star system suggests that this is a indeed a Good rum!

    3 stars

     

     

     

    This rum is available from

    THEDRINKSHOP

     

     

  • Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirate Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum. The unusual name of this rum is due to the fact it is a Charity bottling. The distillery – Ninefold should be familiar with readers of this blog as we have been keeping a close eye on their “Scottish Pure Single Rum” since they began production. Indeed we have both reviewed their products and interviewed owner/distiller Kit Carruthers.

    This is their second “barrel aged release” following on from last years 1 year old rum. In all honesty I know very little about “Nith Inshore Rescue” and Kit has put together a very comprehensive run down on the charity and this bottling. So for once I am actually just going to pretty much cut and paste the “marketing” gumpfh as I honestly don’t think I can offer anything different. The tasting notes etc will be my own work as will the final score. Kit won’t be influencing that!

    So here we go…..

    Ninefold Distillery has collaborated with Nith Inshore Rescue to release a limited charity edition of just 100 bottles of their Scottish barrel aged rum to support the charity and help celebrate 40 years of lifeboat service.

    Nith Inshore Rescue is an independent lifeboat service serving the Upper Solway and surrounding area rooted in the community of Glencaple, Dumfries, Scotland. Ninefold’s partnership with them was inspired by the long history between rum and the sea, including the history of navy sailors being given a daily tot of rum from 1655 until the ration was abolished in 1970.

    Their mission is: “To protect and save lives, and when life is lost do everything we can to recover loved ones for those who are experiencing loss”.

    Following the repeated tragic loss of life in the fast tides of the Upper Solway the community of Glencaple responded by founding their own independent lifeboat in 1982.

    Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirateThe lifeboat crew today are the custodians of a proud legacy of extensive knowledge, experience and history gained over four decades of service. Nith Inshore Rescue is committed to ensuring future generations are both protected and serve in the volunteer community rooted service that is their Lifeboat.

    This charity release is a one-off Scottish Pot distilled cask aged rum, made from sugar cane molasses here at Ninefold Distillery.

    Twelve experimental rums were distilled in Spring 2019 at the outset of the distillery, using 4-8 day fermentations and a variety of configurations of our 500 litre copper pot still. These rums were blended, casked at 60.9% and laid down at the distillery in September 2019, in a virgin American white oak barrel, barrel #04.

    21 months later, in June 2021, the rum was re-racked into two ex-oloroso sherry octaves used to finish Speyside and Islay single malts, and finished for three months at the distillery.

    The two octaves were blended back together in September 2021 at a ratio of 60:40 in favour of the Islay cask, to retain hints of smokiness in the final rum. Just 100 bottles are available, at cask strength of 59.2% ABV.

    As part of the sales process some bottles will be auctioned.

    Auction – Bottles 1-5
    Bottle numbers 1 to 5 will be auctioned, and are the only bottles to each come with a presentation box made from local driftwood. Each box is made from a different wood: Sycamore, Yew, Ash, Douglas Fir and Holly. Bidding is via the following form, beginning immediately and ending 10pm Sunday 7th November.

    Auction form link

    The five highest bids submitted will be allocated the first five bottles in order of highest to lowest bids. You will be notified before the general sale starts so that you can still get a chance to buy a bottle if you didn’t obtain one in the auction.

    General sale – Bottles 6-100
    Pre-orders will begin via our online shop at 9am on Tuesday 9th November for 95 of the 100 bottles available. Each bottle will be £100, limited to one per person/household, with all profits being donated to the Nith Inshore Rescue. All bottles will be numbered.

    NB – I will be updating the review with a link to purchase on Monday when the link is released by Kit.

    Well this has been one of my easiest review to write so far. Now I’m just left with the fun part (hopefully) so lets crack on and see what this rum tastes like.

    In the glass we are presented with a golden amber coloured liquid with a slight haze to it. Which suggest no chill filtering – which we like as it means all the flavour compounds remain. Hurrah!

    Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirateThe nose will be familiar to those that have tried any of Ninefold’s output. It’s has a very creamy toffee nose with lots of butterscotch and with this particular rum I’m getting a really fruity note of bananas and some indulgent Cornish style Vanilla Ice Cream.

    It’s a really nice toffee/molasses heavy nose which I really like. Beneath the sweetness and creaminess you get a slight smokiness and a touch of peat. Bit of camp fire perhaps.

    Sipped the rum shows much more of the whisky character which will be coming from finish as detailed above. Fortunately for me the Islay “peaty” side of things whilst very apparent is not completely taking over the spirit. I’ve got to be honest I’m not a huge fan of Scotch Whisky in general. Speyside is really about as far as my tastes tend to take me so I’m pleased that this component and the heavy molasses flavour of the rum is standing up to the smoky/peaty Islay influence.

    I’m noticing a trend of “peated” rums appearing and rums being finished in Scotch Whisky casks. I’ll be honest I’m not a huge fan as essentially I feel you just end up with a Spirit that no longer really tastes likes rum. That I must stress in not the case with this offering.

    On the sip you initially get a lot of honey, some molasses, toffee and a little hint of licorice. The entry is quite sweet but the mid palate cuts in quite quickly (not sure if it can even be called the mid palate as the change is very swift).

    Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum does quickly take on a lot of character from the casks it was finished in. So it becomes quite smoky and peaty. However as I take a few more sips I’m noticing my palate adjusting to this smokiness and I’m finding more of the “rummy” notes return as the mid palate develops into the finish.

    Ninefold Distillery Nith Inshore Rescue Pure Single Rum review by the fat rum pirateThis rum kind of goes sweet, gently smoky and then sweet again with a hint of smoke. It’s a really interesting rum to sip on. I dare say I would likely preferred this rum without the Whisky/Sherry finish but it is defnitely adding something unique to the mix.

    I feel this is a very good sipper for this time of year. The smokiness of the rum really suits the cold Northern climate.

    Finish wise the rum has a nice length to it and the peat and smokiness linger for quite a long time. The sweeter notes return a little more in the finish as well with the banana and toffee sticking around for a while between sips.

    A really great rum and a really great cause. Great stuff

     

     

     

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