R.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum

Bythefatrumpirate

RL Seales Old Brigand Rum Review by the fat rum pirateR.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum.  This rum was formerly known as Alleyne Arthur’s Old Brigand Barbados rum. The rum is quite a staple on the island. Though you will be quite fortunate to find it outside of Barbados. I’ve been fortunate enough that a few very generous friends have brought me back bottles from Barbados.

I was also fortunate to get some information on the brand from Foursquare Rum Distillery’s Master Distiller and Blender Richard Seale. Foursquare now own the brand.

“In Barbados all of the rum “brands” were originally independent bottlers. Not unlike all of the Scotch Whisky blends. It was the law after 1906 as rum distilleries were then only allowed to sell in bulk.

So back in the day there were dozens of brands. All wholesale traders bought rum from the distilleries and bottled in their name. Names like John D Taylor, ESA Field, Alleyne Arthur, Johnson & Redman (survives today as J&R rum), Martin Doorly, R L Seale etc.

So there was and still are Alleyne Arthur rums. But back in the 1960’s? (could be later), Alleyne Arthur created a new brand – Alleyne Arthur’s ‘Old Brigand’ rum with all the features of a modern brand – a nice label, map of Barbados and a pirate. R.L Seale's Old Brigand Barbados Rum Review by the fatr rum pirate

Alleyne Arthur acquired Martin Doorly in the 70’s and we (Foursquare) acquired Alleyne Arthur in 1993.

So we dropped the title name and made it R L Seale’s Old Brigand. We still sell Alleyne Arthur rum. It’s full name is ‘Alleyne Arthur’s Special Barbados Rum’.”

So there is a little history for you. I am very pleased to give a bit extra background to the Old Brigand rum as I also have the “Black Label” Old Brigand Rum to review as well. So any extra information is always welcome. Especially historical information such as this.R.L Seale's Old Brigand Barbados Rum Review by the fatr rum pirate

Back in the present R.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum is bottled at (what seems to be quite common on the island) 43% ABV. It is available in just about every bottle size from 50ml to 1 litre. Widely available across the island and extremely popular. Commonly known as the One Eyed Man and is regularly consumed neat or with cola.

It is a mix of pot and column distilled rums from the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Although it has no formal age statement it is largely thought to be a 5 year old rum. I would say based mainly on how inexpensive it is on the island it may be more likely a blend up to 5 years old. But I am often wrong.

In the glass Old Brigand Barbados Rum is a dark/golden brown colour. The nose is very familiar and very Foursquare. From the off I will say that I find the Old Brigand has a bit more bite to it than Doorly’s 5 Year Old or even the XO. I’d say this is more the Foursquare equivalent of Mount Gay’s Black Barrel or perhaps more like their now discontinued Eclipse Black.

As familiar as the nose it – it is still very good. I’m getting quite a lot of charred barrel, which sits alongside a lot of coconut. Sweet, soft, light toffee alongside banana, a touch of ginger and a touch of cocoa and coffee.

Whilst it sounds quite light it does have a certain heavier feel to it. A certain menace lurking possibly from the slightly higher 43% ABV.

Sipped it is fairly hefty for a Bajan rum. It’s not a huge bruising heavy rum but it does have a decent amount of “booze” to it. The charred flavours return alongside some dark chocolate and there is a nice amount of bourbon like zesty spice. It is maybe a touch on the bitter side for a regular sipper. Probably something which you might buy in these little “hip flask” size bottles and have an occasional swig of. Like a proper alcoholic…..

In Barbados they seem to have no inhibitions of snobbiness when it comes to mixing rum with cola. Which is good because this particular reviewer has never made any claims that he doesn’t enjoy a really good rum and cola.

I think this rum makes the best rum and cola I have ever tried. The kick and slight char work really well alongside the cola. It is also a very “smoothing” rum which flattens some of the carbonation in the cola. I don’t like overtly fizzy cola. So this works wonderfully for me. When you begin mixing Old Brigand you realise that all the notes that were on the nose – coconut, banana, toffee etc return.

I dare say some people might scoff at my score for this rum. I know at least one of my friend who visited Barbados and initially passed on this rum as it looked to “cheap” to be any good. For the price it is available for on Barbados it is probably the biggest rum bargain in the world. I personally think Foursquare should look to put this out to the export market. I’d have this over Doorly’s 5 and 8 every time.

I’ve not asked Richard much about this rum as I didn’t want to have any preconceptions. I will however be more than happy to add some more notes to this review to explain exactly what the blend/age of this rum should he read this.

Please note: Richard did indeed read the review and confirmed that the rum in the blend is between 2 and 3 years old. Thanks Richard

 

 

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    Bythefatrumpirate

    Habitation Velier Last Ward 2007 Rum review by the fat rum pirateHabitation Velier Last Ward 2007 is an intriguingly named rum in the popular series of Pure rums from Luca Gargano and co.  Last Ward 2007 represents the Ward family.  Who for over 100 years owned and ran the Mount Gay rum distillery in St Lucy, Barbados.

    As with all Habitation Velier releases you get a lot of information on the bottle and the study card sleeve which houses the rum.  Presented in the now distinctive flask style opaque bottles this rum from the Mount Gay Rum Refinery is given a baby blue colour scheme.  Velier usually give individual distilleries/stills a colour scheme which they carry through for all releases.  This was most commonly used in their old Demerara offerings.

    Last Ward 2007 is a triple distilled 100% Pot Still rum.  Distilled on a Double Retort Pot Still back in 2007.  For those with long memories you may re-call that 2007 represents the year that Frank Ward began producing Mount Gilboa rum.  Triple distilled in McMillan Pot Stills and aged in ex-bourbon Mount Gilboa represented a rare 100% Pot Still Bajan rum.

    Much has went on since 2007 with Mount Gay Rum Refinery now under new ownership.  Last Ward 2007 represents the oldest rums available as part of the distillation of Mount Gilboa.  Velier bought these casks in 2014.  The rum has been tropically aged – Angels Share of 65%.  It is bottled at 59% ABV barrel proof.  A bottle (if you can find one) will set you back around £80.

    This rum is a marrying of 19 of the oldest barrels available.  I was quite surprised how popular this edition proved to be – I was fortunate to get the last bottle from the retailer I used – on the day of release.  Mount Gilboa earned something of a cult following for its heavier, more full flavoured take on Bajan rum.  You can still pick up a bottle online here and there even though it hasn’t been produced for a number of years.

    Mount Gilboa was much younger than 10 years old so it will be interesting to see how a 100% Bajan Pot Still rum develops over time.

    Habitation Velier Last Ward 2007 Rum review by the fat rum pirateIn the glass the rum is a very attractive golden brown.  It certainly looks the part. Nosing is quite a sedate experience.  Mount Gilboa was quite an “in your face” kind of rum.  In some ways it bordered on Jamaican in terms of delivery – though admittedly maybe with the funk dialled down a touch.  This rum has quite a strong, spicy alcohol note on the nose.  I’m getting a lot of oak and spice from the bourbon barrel.  A touch of shoe polish.  Deeper nosing makes your nose twitch a little – it’s quite boozy.  Sweet alcohol notes can hit the nostrils quite hard.

    It has a nuttiness which balances nicely with the notes of shortcut pastry.  A little saltiness.  Initially the nose doesn’t seem all that complex but the more you nose the more you notice.

    From the nose I certainly wouldn’t pick it out as a Pot Still rum.  At a push I might identify it as a Bajan.  It’s kind of in the middle ground.  Similar to a St Lucian rum only without the extra saltiness and vegetal notes.

    It’s certainly an intriguing and interesting nose.

    Sipped it’s a very spicy affair.  I”m getting more of the Pot Still now.  It’s not as full on as a Hampden or even a Fijian pot still but its certainly more menacing than a Doorly’s 5 for example or Rum Sixty Six.  One of the things I liked about Mount Gilboa was the “funkiness” it displayed.  It was a very bold rum – which mixed really well and whilst not bad as a sipper just didn’t have the refinement to make for a serious sipping experience.

    Unfortunately Last Ward 2007 has lost some of the youthful “funkiness” and aggression.  These seems to have been replaced with a lot of oak spice.  This is a very “hot” peppery rum.  There is a lot of oak which is very drying.

    It’s quite difficult to get past this.  A few drops of water certainly help.  Opening the rum up more making it easier to sip and appreciate the more complex notes lurking beneath the oak and spice.

    Water is very much recommended with this rum.  With the ABV reduced you can taste more of the more familiar Bajan style notes.  Last Ward 2007 has a sweeter more approachable profile now.  It’s nicely balanced and much frutier.  There is a little tartness – gooseberries, a touch of lychee but it plays along nicely with the notes of vanilla and banana.  There is a little of the trademark Mount Gay coconut as well just lurking in the background.

    Habitation Velier Last Ward 2007 Rum review by the fat rum pirateThis is a very different rum to the one I was expecting.  I was expecting something akin to the Pot Still of the South Pacific Rum Distillery in Fiji or even something almost Jamaican.

    Ageing has taken off some of the rough edges (which I quite enjoyed in the Mount Gilboa) and replaced them with much more interaction with the Bourbon barrels.  At full strength the rum is too spicy and dry for my palate.  Reduced down to around 50% and a completely different rum is revealed.

    It’s not a rum I find easy to compare to other rums.  In time it is a rum which grows on you.  Initially it doesn’t seem all that exciting.  I thought for my first couple of glasses it was just over oaked.

    But it grows on you.  Sneaks up on you and you soon begin to appreciate it.  Yes its a little dry and oaky but water really is your friend with this rum. Honest

     

     

     

  • Foursquare Rum Distillery Zinfandel Cask Blend

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Foursquare zinfandel cask blend rum review by the fat rum pirateFoursquare Rum Distillery St Philip, Barbados.  For many people Barbados is the birthplace of rum.  Which is handy because in the Richard Seale Foursquare have one of the most vocal rum producers.

    Passionately against additives and very much against the more secretive side of the rum world Richard is currently involved with Luca Gargano of Velier in educating and trying to push through new classifications of rum.

    Calling for greater transparency and more information about the actual rum in the bottle rather than the faux marketing stories, the label used on this offering is giving the consumer much more information about the bottles contents.

    This Zinfandel Cask Blend is a mix of Pot and Column distilled rum which has been first aged in Bourbon casks before being finished in Zinfandel casks.  In total the rum has been aged for 11 years.  The Zinfandel Cask Blend is Mark IV of the “Exceptional Cask Selection”.  Regular readers will be aware that the similarly packaged Port Cask Finish swept the Rum of the Year for 2015 on this website and was the pick of the new rums released in 2015 for many other people as well.

    The rum has been bottled at 43% and it retails at around the £40 mark in the UK.  It has only very recently finally reached our shores and as with many Foursquare rums it is being distributed by Marussia Beverages of Holland.  Strangely much like last year its release and availability has combined with a new release in the Doorly’s range – an 8 year old aged solely in bourbon casks.

    Foursquare have released quite a few new rums over the past few years such as the Real McCoy range, Doorly’s 12 and the Exceptional Cask releases.  They also have a couple of bottlings due in conjunction again with Luca Gargano of Velier.  Independent bottlers such as Compagnie des Indes and Berrys’ have also continued to release rums distilled at Foursquare.

    Foursquare Zinfandel Cask Blend Rum Review by the fat rum pirateBefore I start the tasting notes I will make something very clear to avoid any possible confusion.  As with the Port Cask from last year this Zinfandel cask rum has a sweeter profile than a Foursquare rum which has been aged solely in Bourbon casks.  The term sweet will be used in the review but please do not confuse this with a rum which has been sweetened with added sugar or artificial additives.  It is not sweet in the sense of Diplomatico or Ron Zacapa rums.  It is not a syrupy sugary rum.

     

    The Zinfandel Cask Blend is very similar in appearance to the Port Cask (Foursquare do add Caramel colouring to their rums though possibly not these ECS releases) – it is a nice reddish brown colour nonetheless.

    I’m not a huge wine buff and I have only come across White Zinfandel Rose Wine.  However Zinfandel grapes also produce red wines.  The nose is delicate yet bursting with light fruity flavours.  It does remind me of Zinfandel Rose – nice sweet red berries, a little blackcurrant gives a little extra depth.  There is a little oak on the nose and some familiar vanilla and a little light caramel/toffee.  It has similarities to the Port Cask finish but it has a slightly lighter fruitier nose.  As with all Foursquare rums there are no “off notes” or anything that doesn’t seem to be working in harmony.  The balance is pretty much perfect.

    Taste wise the rum delivers everything the nose promises.  Light fruity strawberries, a great mix of vanilla and a really nice warming mix of oak and some great mouth watering spicy notes on the mid palate.  The finish is long and nicely oaked – the initial sweetness of the sip gives way to the oak and spice from the bourbon casks.  At 43% it is pretty much at optimum sipping strength.  It is sweet and light yet robust enough to satisfy a more seasoned rum sipper.  For those who prefer heavier rums such as Caroni or aged Demerara this rum may be a little on the sweet side but in my opinion it offers a very good alternative to the more standard Bajan rums.  For those who enjoy El Dorado, Zacapa etc this may be a rum which shows how “sweet” can be achieved without any additives or “secret recipes”.

    Foursquare Zinfandel Cask Blend Rum review by the fat rum pirateAlthough this is a very agreeable and easy rum to drink I also feel it offers more than enough complexity and depth of flavour.  I would have a real issue with any genuine rum fan who didn’t enjoy this rum.

    The Zinfandel Cask Blend is classic Foursquare but with just enough difference to make it stand out from other more standard Bajan rums.  The finish works exceptionally well and really adds an extra layer of fruity flavour and spicy zest.

    When you consider the whole package – this costs just £40 it is really is a bit of a no brainer when it comes to scoring.  The only slight criticism would be the screw cap.  I can counter that argument with the following – this isn’t a rum that will be sticking around long in your collection unless you buy multiple bottles.

    Which is one thing I’ll be doing!

    5 stars

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Westerhall Estate Superb Light Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Westerhall Estate Superb Light Rum Review by the Fat Rum PirateWesterhall Estate is situated on the Caribbean Island of Grenada.  Since its inception it has existed in various guises.  Presently Westerhall Estate blend and bottle their range of 6 rums.

    Prior to this the estate has been an agricultural estate farming bananas, coconuts, limes and cocoa.  It has also processed sugar cane, at one point it even had its own small distillery.

    I frequently get confused with all the different Caribbean Islands and the various rums produced by each island.  In the case of the rum up for review today Westerhall Estate Superb Light Rum (SLR) I have certainly done my homework!

    Luckily Westerhall Estate have a very informative website which has helped my greatly.  One of the causes of my confusion was the SLR.  Namely Sunset Light Rum which of course is produced on the island of St Vincent (by the same people behind the wonderful Captain Bligh XO).  Which bears no resemblance to Grenada (in terms of name anyway) nor does the rum, which is white bear any resemblance to Westerhall’s Superb Light Rum.

    Along with Clarke’s Court, Westerhall dominate domestic sales of rum on Grenada.  As the website alluded Westerhall Estate pride themselves on producing high quality rums.  The Westerhall Estate Plantation and Vintage rums are highly regarded by those who have sampled them.  I won’t give away too much as to the contents of this review by revealing if I will be seeking them out just yet……..

    I was able yet again to procure a bottle of SLR for £21.  The bottle is 75cl and the rum Westerhall Estate Superb Light Rum review by the fat rum pirateclocks in at 40% ABV.  The bottle is a standard bar bottle and has a rather cheap metallic screw cap once you have taken off the black seal which covers it.

    The presentation of the rum is pretty standard with a map of Grenada and a brig on the rear.  The front and rear label give some non specific information regarding the rum being “distinctive” and “mellow” also its aged in oak which is hardly a surprise!

    The rum makes little pretence it suggests it can be enjoyed “straight up” but I don’t really feel Westerhall are aiming at the sipping market.  On Grenada the rum is available in various bottle sizes from 50ml upto 1750ml.  It’s predominantly really a mixing rum with the other rums in the brands portfolio taking the centre stage as mixers.  The rear label also gives a recipe for a Spice Isle Rum Punch further evidence of its use as a mixing rum.

    When poured into a glass the SLR is indeed a light rum.  An almost straw coloured light golden colour.  The nose on the rum is light with notes of vanilla and a little sweetness.  I won’t say brown sugar as its lighter than that.  It’s a very Bajan like nose.  Slightly muted but with enough interest to make you delve deeper to explore.  It has nice slightly honeyed nose.  It all seems well blended and nicely put together.

    Westerhall Estate Superb Light Rum review by the fat rum pirateI’ve been unable to determine the ages of the rums within this blend.  My hydrometer tests have revealed that the rum does have some additives, possibly sugar.  Which suggests that once blended the rum is rounded off a little to ensure consistency from batch to batch.  They probably don’t always use all the same rums in each blend. This is a reason many producers have shyed away from age statements as they cannot always determine what age rums will give the consumer the flavour they expect year in year out.

    Despite the additives the rum is to my palate still pretty young.  I would estimate that the oldest rum in this blend is likely to be around 3-4 years with the majority being around 1 year to 18 months.

    As a sipper the rum shows its youth.  It is quite fiery and gives quite a lot of alcohol burn.  The sweet honey flavour is still present but it is short lived and gives way to a medium finish which is mainly spice and alcohol.  An ice cube or two will probably temper this but as a sipper there isn’t enough flavour or ageing to offer a very complex sipping experience.

    I’m not adverse to mixing my rum nor am I alien to rum and cola.  Any regular readers will know this by now.  I believe in reviewing a broad cross section of rums and as many people the world over do enjoy a good rum and cola I will endeavour to help them find the best one!  (Whilst enjoying the search thoroughly myself!)

    With that in mind lets do some mixing.  The SLR sits very nicely alongside a little cola and squeeze of lime juice also fires it up another notch.  The rum is flavourful enough to cut through the cola and give you a very nice rummy taste.  Despite the initial sweetness of the nose, SLR is very well balanced.  Not too sweet with enough molasses like flavour and even a nice aftertaste of good oak ageing. It also has some spicy undertones which are once again, just right.

    As a mixing rum Westerhall Estate’s Superb Light Rum is a very solid alternative to the more popular Bajan or Cuban mixing staples.  It isn’t quite as flavourful as the dunder and ester heavy Jamaican’s but it would be a nice change for someone who enjoys the lighter Spanish style rons or the Bajan style.

    A good solid mixer and certainly worth a try at the price.

    3 stars

     

  • Ron Pujol Dorado

    Bythefatrumpirate

    imageFrench producers Bardinet are behind the Ron Pujol brand nowadays, though the rum has a heritage stretching back to 1818.

    Research on the internet has been difficult – the official Ron Pujol website is in Spanish (it’s actually Catalan you ignoramous) and resists any translation.

    It would seem that this is perhaps the Spanish version of Negrita?  For those not familiar with the brand, Ron Negrita is another of Bardinet’s offerings.  It is a mixture of agricole and molasses based      r(h)um and is popular and easy to find in both Spain and France.  Ron Pujol offers more of a “ron” experience than a “rhum”.

    Ron Pujol is a blend of rums from various Caribbean Islands, aged in white oak barrels.  This, unfortunately is pretty much all I have been able to find about this rum.  It is likely that the rum is column distilled and not a mix of pot/column (but that is only really a guess).

    The rum is available in various bottle sizes up to 1 litre and is as cheap as rum comes.  In Spain a 70cl bottle of Ron Pujol will set you back around 6-8 Euros.  It is bottled at 40% ABV.  The presentation is reasonable for a rum of this price.  It comes in a standard bar bottle.  The labelling is slightly dated and looks more like a bottle of German Pilsner than rum but at this price its unreasonable to expect anything too fancy.

    Ron Pujol is very popular in Catalonia (Barcelona is the capital) which is a region/province in Spain.  Ron Pujol is particular popular in a drink called a “Catalan Carajillo”.Ron Pujol Dorado rum review by the fat rum pirate

    A “Carajiilo” is a Spanish drink, which is basically a coffee mixed with brandy,whisky or rum.  There are many different ways of making a Carajillo, ranging from black coffee with the spirit simply poured in, to heating the spirit with lemon, sugar and cinnamon and adding the coffee last.

    I’m not sure how popular Ron Pujol is in Spain but it is quite readily available and is also visible online at numerous Spanish speaking retailers.  So I guess it is fairly popular.  I got a few miniature bottles from holidaying family to try out.

    There are three “spirits” in the Ron Pujol brand.  This would appear to be their “straight” rum, the other two appear to be liqueurs/creams.

    I’ve said about as much as I can about this rum so I think it will be best if we now move onto the actual review.

    In the glass, Ron Pujol is a light gold to straw colour.  Typical in many respects of Spanish style “ron”.  The nose is quite sugary.  With large wafts of sugary alcohol.  Surprisingly there is a little hint of a more vegetal note a bit like Negrita.  A further nosing reveals a light creaminess to the rum – light and slightly floral.Ron Pujol Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    A sip of the rum is not a particularly complex but not altogether unpleasant experience.  It’s initially quite sweet – brown sugar and a little ginger but the overall taste is very short.  It skims the taste buds and exits very quickly with little burn.  Its pretty “thin” overall.  It lacks any real depth or any real flavour once the initial sweetness has left the palate.

    As a mixer it performs competently.  It offers a very slight cream soda like note to a rum and cola but its pretty unremarkable.  In fact its almost non-existent.  It’s as inoffensive as rum can be.  Very middle of the road, forgettable and completely unremarkable.  As a cheap mixer (and it can be very cheap in Spain) it is certainly an option for an easy nights drinking but it can offer little beyond that.

    Quite what it can add to a coffee is beyond me as I would imagine the only thing it could do is make it undetectable to the missus!

    1.5 stars

     

     

     

  • Havana Club Anejo 3 Anos

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Havana Club White RumHavana Club Anejo 3 Anos (Aged 3 years) is a white rum from the Cuban rum producers.  With news of a possible embargo on Cuban products in the US I felt it a good time to review this staple of the UK and Europe’s style bars.

    Distributed in the UK by Pernod-Ricard, Havana Club’s main competition comes from the Puerto Rican powerhoubse Bacardi.  Which is distributed by Bacardi-Brown-Forman.  Oddly I cannot think of many White Rums which have any kind of meaningful presence in the UK other than Havana Club and Bacardi.  To be honest Bacardi has become such a byword for white rum that I doubt many people who drink Bacardi even realise it is rum!

    I’m concerned my research has been unable to find a white rum marketed by Diageo (who own Captain Morgan amongst other rum brands) in the UK.  If I am missing something obvious please let me know in the comments below!

    I would say Havana Club’s rums have established themselves fairly comfortably over here int the UK.  This aged (white rum has to be filtered to be white thus it cannot be aged for too long or you’d never get he colour out!) white is a step up from the Anejo Blanco.  Price wise in the UK the difference is only a couple of pounds.  Having said that the 3 Anos is much easier to get a hold of.  Sainsbury’s stock it which is where I purchased my bottle.  As can be seen from the rums I have so far reviewed I’m not huge on white rum.  This is mainly due to my preference for rum and cola or sipping rums.  I don’t do a lot of cocktails so have little use for white rums.  Still I picked this bottle up for £15 for the purpose of a review and to try to complete the Havana Club portfolio.

    The rum comes in a standard bar style bottle.  The label quite suits the rum and I don’t mind the presentation.  It isn’t spectacular but its keeps in with the brands identity.

    The first thing I note with this white rum is very slight yellow tinge to the rum.  When poured into the glass I also note it is slightly viscous.

    The nose is very sweet.  It has that Havana Club nose which I have noted in my review of the 7 Year Old.  It is quite a strange almost tobacco like note.  I’m not a huge fan of this but the sweetness seems to be tempering it slightly making it more appealing.  It is not as prominent as in the Anejo Especial.Havana Club 3 Anos

    As a 3 year old rum this should be approaching sippable.  At the same time its a white and from what I gather it is aimed at luxury cocktails and its to be used in Mojitos and Daiquiris.  When sipped the rum is fairly smooth but it doesn’t have an abundance of flavour.  Its sweet but very short.  I’ve not met many people with an interest in White Rums as sippers (Mamajuana on Ministry of Rum has a strange interest in trying 100 White Rums).

    When mixed with cola the rum reveals itself as very competent.  Similar to Bacardi Superior.  It’s not quite as sweet and does still have a hint of tobacco lurking in the mix.  At under £20 we are firmly in mixing territory here.  From trying all the Havana Club rums up to the Seleccion de Maestro its nice to see how the rums progress up the scale.  As a result I can’t really mark this rum too highly.  It does a decent job as a mixer.  It’s relatively inexpensive.  However I have had a couple of white rums which I would favour.  Plantation 3 Star and El Dorado 3 Year Old both have an edge over this (admittedly they are more expensive).  In the straight taste test I’ve performed with this Bacardi Superior and Lemon Hart White Rum I’m even finding the Lemon Hart to be slightly more interesting.  The little hint of Guyanese rum in the Lemon Hart I’m enjoying more than I recall.

    Having said all that there really isn’t much to split the three white mixing rums.  I would imagine in cocktails you would struggle to pick one out over the others.

    Maybe I need to start building a few cocktails and exploring white rum a little more.  However, for now my assessment is that this in the grand scheme of things is an unspectacular rum.  It’s average.  I’ll be cruel and say it……it’s white rum what do you expect?

    My scoring reflects this……..

    2 stars

     

     

     

     

    This rum is available from

    THEDRINKSHOP

  • Rhum Clement Canne Bleue

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Clement Canne Bleue Rum review by the fat rum pirateRhum Clement Canne Bleue. Today I am reviewing a Rhum Blanc Agricole from Martinican producer Rhum Clement.

    Rhum Clement Canne Bleue is produced from one strain of sugar cane. Blue Sugar Cane which, is grown on the Rhum Clement estate.

    The rhum I am reviewing today is the continuous release. In addition to this, Clement also bottle a yearly edition of Rhum Clement Canne Bleue. With different bottle designs and a differing rhum each year.

    This particular offering is produced on traditional Coffey Column stills from fresh Blue Sugar Cane juice. It is then rested in stainless steel vats for six months. During this time the distillate is reduced down to the final ABV of 50%.

    It is widely available in the UK, you can currently pick up a bottle at just less than £32 at Master of Malt.  Presentation wise it comes in the familiar stubby short necked Rhum Clement bottle. Unsurprisingly, they have went for a largely blue colour scheme with silver and dark blue touches here and there. It’s nicely done and modern. The rhum also has a nice chunky cork stopper.

    I’ve reviewed a few Rhum Clement bottlngs in the past. I think my most recent review was the Rhum Clement L’Elixir XO, this is perhaps more towards the opposite end of the spectrum, age and price wise but I find with Rhum Agricole, I enjoy some of the youngest expressions as much as the oldest!

    In the glass Rhum Clement Canne Bleue is as expected entirely clear. It has not had any contact with a barrel. Nice.

    There are certain types of rum – Hampden Estate or Long Pond from Jamaica. Bounty rum from Fiji and Clairin from Haiti that you really shouldn’t try early on in your Rum Drinking “career”.

    Unless perhaps. you have experience of other “full blown” spirits such as Mezcal or Rhum Clement Canne Bleue Rum Review by the fat rum pirateheavily Peated Scotch Whisky for example. To jump into something like those rums from say Ron Zacapa or even Plantation is a big jump. Too much for a lot of people.

    Unaged White Agricole particularly at a higher proof are like the rums above. Try it to early and you will steer clear for longer than you should. Because once you acquire the taste for such rums, you will find that a mixed drink might never be quite the same again.

    That said you might even take to sipping them……which is what I will try next after a bit of nosing.

    Very grassy, very vegetal on the nose. Almost sour and very “yeasty”. Big notes of sweet sugar cane. Hints strangely enough of really sweet sugary tea. A little pepper and a touch of chilli. Some intense lemon and lime zest. It may sound awful but it smells a little of sweet baby milk (I hope that’s the rum and not my T-shirt from feeding my youngest).

    Sipping this rum is a very intense experience. It’s not as sweet as the nose with some very pungent medicinal notes. A touch of cough mixture. It’s very grassy and very zesty. Huge swathes of lime zest and orange peel. Very heavy on the marmalade with similar bitter notes. Again the taste is slightly sour with notes of Sour Cream and a touch of chive. This is a very bitter/sweet rhum. Maybe a touch metallic as well.

    At 50% ABV its fiery and full of ginger and white pepper. Hint of chilli oil, definitely.

    On the finish its very clean and slightly dry. Nice spicy notes. This works very well as a palate cleanser.

    Rhum Clement Canne Bleue Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    It would be excellent in a Sorbet. Balance is provided for this rum with a very delicate note of cucumber and some mineral like notes. Fresh and vibrant.

    Mixed, Rhum Clement Canne Bleue works wonderfully in a Ti Punch or in a Daiquiri or Mojito. Mixed with fruit juices the spicy and slightly sour/sweet notes work really well to give the drink a really tasty boozy kick.

    When you want a “stiff” drink this certainly fits the bill. Big, boozy and full of sweet grassy flavours. Enough complexity to keep things interesting.

    This is a really good and slightly different take on a white agricole and well worth seeking out.

     

     

3 Comments

  1. Last time I went to the Rock we visited FourSquare & did a full tasting. L
    Of everything, this was what really stood out as all-round quality. It’s something we get our folks to bring back every time they’re over (often with a Falernum for the Corn & Oil we were introduced to at FourSquare).

    I like your point about Bajans not being snobby mixing a rum & coke. There’s nothing like buying a bottle of each to enjoy with your fish fry!

  3. Pingback: Old Brigand Black Label Superior Barbados Rum -  thefatrumpirate.com

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