Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum. Privateer International are primarily distilers of rum though they do also have a gin on the market. They have been the poster boys (and girls) of America rum for the past couple of years. Privateer are largely noted as being one of the best rum distillers in the US of A.

Privateer are named after Andrew Cabot an 18th Century merchant and distiller of rum who became a highly successful Privateer smuggling molasses into America. The current owner of Privateer is also called Andrew Cabot and is six generations removed from the original Privateer.

I’ve been lucky enough to get a few samples of Privateer’s output in the past. I’ve posted reviews on some and have a few more to go. However, this is the first time I have had a full bottle of Privateer to enjoy – all to myself. I’ve been pretty impressed in the past so it will be interesting to see how this one goes down.

Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum is made from 100% molasses (in the past Privateer have experimented with things such as de-hydrated sugar cane juice) it is then double distilled. I have been advised that Privateer run a kind of Pot/Column hybrid still. Don’t ask me too much about it. When it comes to distilling it just goes in one ear and out the other. I try to retain the information and understand the process but I guess my brain just isn’t sufficiently interested to store it for another day…….

Apologies I’m probably the least geeky rum geek out there when it comes to stills and stuff.

Now although Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum is a ongoing release it is not a consistent product. Each “batch” if you like is from a Single 53 Gallon Virgin Oak Barrel. Age varies though the youngest release of this rum is believed to be 2 years old and most barrels released are believed to be nearer the 5 year mark. I presume that they aim for a particular “profile” when trying barrel samples etc.

For review today I have Barrel #P511. It has been bottled at 108.8 proof or 54.4% ABV. As you probably all know Barrel Proof is a term used to describe what we more commonly call Cask Strength here in the UK and Europe. As a result the proof can vary a little with these releases.

Privateer do not use any additives in their production nor do they chill-filter or colour their rums.

Distribution of Privateer rum here in Europe has recently been made possible by Velier. Who are now the European Importers of Privateer rum.

As a result we have been fortunate enough to see this on the UK market. However, it is worth noting it does not come cheap. If you are someone obsessed with the age of a spirit. As many are. Then you may baulk at the idea of paying £67.95 for what is a fairly young rum. This is how much you will have to pay for a bottle currently at The Whisky Exchange.

Presentation wise Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum comes in a tall slightly tapered bar style bottle with a slightly bulbous neck. The styling on the bottle is very modern and the Barrel, Proof and Alc./ Vol “fields” have all been filled in by hand.

The rear label gives a little information on Andrew Cabot and a little information on the rum. Personally I would like a little more information on the age of each barrel but that’s just my preference.

I’m feeling a bit “Privateer-ey” so lets get on with some nosing and tasting…….

In the glass Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum presents itself as a dark brown with a very prominent red hue running right through the glass.

The nose is in keeping with what I have come to expect from Privateer’

s rum. It’s a very barrel driven profile. It reminds me of in equal parts of Foursquare’s aged rums, English Harbour’s Heavy Rum release in conjunction with Velier and finally…….bourbon.

Sorry, but distinctions between rum and bourbon seem to always come to pass when people begin talking of these barrel led rums.

For me it isn’t a problem as I arguably drink as much Bourbon as I do rum.

On the nose I am getting vanilla, oak spice, some peppery spices and a sweet hit of treacly molasses. It’s a “dry” (I hate that term but it works well here) style of rum with no airs or graces and no pretension. It’s a classic rum nose if you like. Simple and paired back but at the same warming, inviting and very nicely balanced.

For me it noses older than it perhaps is…….

Sipped it has a fair amount of barrel char going on up front. It’s quite woody but it’s still quite mellow. It starts of on the intial entry quite dry with lots of oak and char. There’s a subtle note of molasses and a hint of figs or dates. Not quite sure which.

A few sips in you start to notice the mid palate come more into force and integrate more on your palate.

The mid palate introduces a little sweetness, some toffee and some dark chocolate. There is a slight bitterness and a touch of vanilla. Throughout their is a warming note of hazelnut and a really nice development of oak spices which could overpower the rum but they balance out really nicely.

The only time this perhaps reveals its true age is on the finish which is a little short and whilst its not unpleasant – I’m not immediately re-filling my glass as it is leaving quite a boozy hit behind. Believe me this doesn’t often happen.

In the US you can pick this up at around the $40-50 mark. Which were it at this price here in the UK (I appreciate it couldn’t really be the case) then it might have hankered an extra half mark on the scoring.

That said I don’t feel like I’ve been ripped off or anything, paying what I’ve did. Satisfying my curiosity is something I have learned can be priceless. Particularly when I procrastinate over a bottle. Then come back later to find it all sold out……..

I’d also like to congratulate myself for getting through a Privateer rum review without mentioning Maggie Campbell. That must be world first?