Old Brigand Black Label Superior Barbados Rum. Old Brigand Barbados Rum is synonymous with the island of Barbados. Originally Alleyne Arthur’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum, it is now called R.L Seale’s Old Brigand. It is produced at the Foursquare Rum Distillery. This is the older brother of that rum.

The “regular” Old Brigand is commonly known as One Eyed Man .or Pirate on the island. As you can see from the photo he doesn’t need an eye patch for this bottling. Presumably as this is a more refined rum the picture has been modified to show a less aggressive brigand.

The rum is available on Barbados and parts of the US. It seems to retail at around $15 so its pretty inexpensive much like its younger brother. Presentation is a little “eighties” it kind of reminds me of the old 80’s style Captain Morgan bottles albeit in a much stubbier rounder form. Despite the use of a seal on the lid it is a screw cap underneath rather than a cork. Overall its quite “old school” but it has a certain charm and simplicity.

As with most (if not all) Foursquare products it is a blend of Pot and Column distilled rums. Percentage wise I am not sure the ratio. It is aged for more than 5 years – again not sure of the exact variables, in ex-bourbon barrels. There is no age statement much like Mount Gay Eclipse or Black Barrel, as it is a continuously available product. As a result the same age of rums in the blend, might not give the flavour profile sought by the blender over time.

Old Brigand were historically distributed by Alleyne Arthur, when the company ceased trading in 1993 R.L Seale and Foursquare Rum Distillery bought the rights to the brand.

Despite this being the “older” of the two Old Brigand Rums this is the one that seems the least talked about. I’m not sure I had heard of it until a friend bought a bottle back for me from Barbados. Thanks very much Mr Murray. I have been unable to find any reviews on this rum other than on Rum Ratings. No reviewer seems to have reviewed this rum or if they have its not showing in a Google search. Diffords Guide provided some basic information.

So with little else to say lets see how this “staple” Foursquare rum compares to the recent competition……

In the glass we have a vivid golden brown rum with orange/red around the edges of the glass.

Nosing Old Brigand Black Label is a very familiar and very pleasant experience. A classic Barbados rum. In fact I would go as far as to say that is what an classic aged rum should nose like. This is rum!

Light vanilla and toffee notes mingle alongside a slightly charred oak spice and some spicy ginger. There are no tricks involved in this rum, no extra maturation it has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and that is all that is needed.

As a sipper it is certainly smoother and less rough around the edges than it’s younger brother. The lower ABV may play it’s part as well in making this easier to sip. The initial entry is quite oaked with a fair amount of barrel char and spice.

Touches of black pepper. The mid palate reveals some fruity notes of raisin and a touch of slightly tart raspberry. Milk chocolate and toffee develop as you go building into the finish which is a lot smoother than I was expecting. The rum despite its quite oaky profile, has a little bit of honey in and around the mid palate and the finish.

The finish is a good length and once the milk and dark chocolate notes begin to fade you are left with a very nice oak spice which stays with you for a long time. Gently burning the throat (in a very pleasant way).

As is to be expected, this rum is another classic style Barbados Rum from Foursquare Distillery. There are no faults. Personally, I do not think a much higher ABV would be to this rums benefit. It might be a touch too woody, if it were noticeably higher. Though 43% or 46% ABV might work nicely.

An easy drinking, fairly uncomplicated rum. An everyday sipper or mixer. It’s a shame this rum isn’t available more widely. That said I can’t really complain about the Foursquare rums available here in the UK.

A definite purchase should you visit Barbados. Along with everything else……….