Rum of the Month September 2015

Bythefatrumpirate

2015 Rum of the MonthAs the British Summertime fades (we got the usual 4 genuinely Sunny Days) attention turns to our Autumn season.

To be honest up here in the North of England we only really get two Seasons Autumn and Winter.  It’s either a bit cold or very cold.  We might get the odd few days of sunshine but they are few and far between.  We get our two weeks of sunshine when we go on our holidays……

So with it being cold and dark on a morning when you go to work and cold and dark on a night when you come home it can be quite a depressing time of year!

However help I believe is at hand with one of the best Winter Warmers available in the Rum Market.  The only Spiced or Flavoured Rum to have received the full 5 star treatment on our site.  Bristol Black Spiced Rum is slightly more expensive than the majority of Spiced Rum but it more than justifies the price tag.

If you are looking to give yourself a little cheer on a cold dark night this works brilliantly in a nice rum and cola or even on its own, warmed slightly in the microwave it gives a lovely warming treat.

More excellent stuff from Bristol and perfect for British Winters/Autumns!

Bristol Black Spiced rum reviiew by the fat rum pirate

Similar Posts

  • Diablesse Caribbean Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    DIablesse Caribbean Rum review by the fat rum pirateDiablesse Caribbean Rum. This is the second rum from the Diablesse brand, that I have reviewed recently. At present the two rums are their full portfolio.

    The first Diablesse rum I reviewed was a Spiced Clementine Rum, I really enjoyed that one. This rum is perhaps their more “serious” effort. Founder of Diablesse Rum, Cleo Farman is very keen to attract drinkers to try out rum for the first time, so has went for a blend of rums from some of the Caribbean’s real powerhouses of rum production.

    Diablesse Caribbean Rum is comprised of an 8 year old Barbados rum from the Foursquare Distillery, a 4 year old Jamaican rum from Worthy Park Estate and 2 year old Guyanese Rum from Diamond Distillery.

    Presentation wise Diablesse is presented in a rounded stubby bottle with a very attractive and distinctive labelling, which includes the mythical Diablesse. It all looks very premium and stands out on the shelf. Kudos to The Label Makers Limited, who designed this. Diablesse Caribbean Rum currently retails at around the £35-38 mark. It is available from a number of online retailers including Master of Malt.

    All the rums in the blend have been aged in ex-bourbon casks and there is no finish or extra maturation provided to the rums at any stage. So what we are getting is a very clean, very traditional blend of what many might see as Navy rums. Unlike Navy rums such as Lambs there is no caramel colouring or additives in this particular blend. Diablesse Caribbean rum is bottled at 40% ABV.

    Blends have kind of fallen out of fashion recently, especially amongst more serious enthusiasts. Even casual drinkers seem to be going towards rums from specific islands or countries with very distinctive profiles rather than opting for a multi-island/country blend. That said as has been seen with The Duppy Share, a well constructed blend is still a very decent rum.

    In the glass we have a rum which is a light to golden brown, a shade lighter perhaps than many more “traditionally” coloured gold rums. So definitely the claimDIablesse Caribbean Rum review by the fat rum pirate for no caramel colouring with this blend, stands true. Even the DDL hasn’t darkened this rum and we all know their penchant for “extras”.

    The nose is quite funky with lots of banana cake, pineapple and some nice dunder like notes. Bit of pencil shavings an some light nail varnish (is there such a thing?).

    Further nosing allows some of the sweeter notes from the DDL rum (Enmore), so we get some toffee,raisin and some mixed fruit peel.  Barbados is represented by a very healthy dose of vanilla and light baking spices. There are wafts of oak and spice but it is overall quite a fruity and funk forward rum.

    As a sipper this has a lot going on. There is an intial sweetness, which gives way to a peppery mid palate and a slightly sour/tart note. A touch of gooseberry and some sharp citrus – lemon and lime. It’s a very dry and clean tasting rum, with just enough spice and oak to balance out the more citrusy elements and provide a good balance overall.

    The balance is also lent a hand by the Barbados element which keeps everything together. It doesn’t let the DDL or the Jamaican elements run away with the show.

    Finish wise I am quite surprised at the length of the finish. That said it does lose quite a lot of the flavour, especially the fruitier notes. Diablesse Caribbean Rum does become slightly bitter towards the end and is dominated a little by the oak. That said at 40% ABV, this never feels too boozy or uneven. As a sipper, maybe it could do with an extra bit of ABV but all in all its not a bad little tot of rum.

    DIablesse Caribbean Rum review by the fat rum pirateAs a mixer in cocktails is perhaps where Diablesse Caribbean Rum works best. Such is the character and flavour profile of the rum, it doesn’t hide away when mixed. A simple drink such as a rum and cola is very flavourful and very smooth. Not something I necessarily see as a good thing, as it often means a lack of flavour. However, add a squeeze of lime and a few ice cubes and you have a very tasty and very more-ish drink.

    Likewise cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or some of signature serves on the Diablesse’s website all work very, very nicely.

    Diablesse Caribbean Rum is a versatile and very enjoyable blend of rum. They could easily have went for a cheaper blend and added some young Trini rum. Instead they opted for better quality more interesting rums and you can tell the difference.

    As good a blended rum as I have tried for a while. If you don’t believe me then have a look at the review Steve at Rum Diaries Blog did. I may have borrowed one of his photos……..

     

  • Duncan Taylor Single Cask Rum – Jamaica Long Pond Aged 15 Years (Cask 65)

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Duncan Taylor Jamaica Long Pond 200 Single cask rum review by the fat rum pirateDuncan Taylor are a Whisky and Rum bottler from Aberdeen, Scotland.  They have been selling their rums in distinctive flask style bottles for a number of years now.

    Like another Independent bottler, Mezan they keep a very similar presentation for each rum.  With them releasing so many rums, some differing only by a cask number it can make deciding on what to buy quite tricky!

    This particular rum was released in late 2016.  It is a Pot Still rum from the Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica.  It was distilled in 2000 and bottled after 15 years in 2015.

    I will give you a little information regarding the Long Pond Distillery in Trelawny, Jamaica (which is the home town of Hampden Estate as well) for a more detailed read including a peek into the distillery itself please see the following great piece over at Cocktail Wonk.

    In the 1940’s Seagram’s purchased the Long Pond Distillery and used the distillery to help found the Captain Morgan rum brand.  Long Pond is now once again under the control of the Jamaican Government under the guise of National Rums of Jamaica.  It is likely you may not be overly familiar with Long Pond rums as they have never had a notable brand which was universally known to come from Long Pond.

    High ester Wedderburn style rums (which is what I believe the this rum is an example of) have come from both Long Pond Distillery and its very near neighbour Hampden Estate.  Examples of such rums can be found in Smith & Cross and Bristol Classic Rum released a “Vale Royal” style Jamaican rum a few years back.

    Currently I understand the distillery is not operating but may re-open shortly.  Quite when (or if) it closed is quite hard to find online with several conflucting stories.  Any further solid information would be greatly appreciated if anyone out there has more information.
    What information I have on this bottle is as follows.  It was distilled in June 2000 and bottled in February 2016.  It is honestly labelled as a 15 year old rum.  A bottle of which there are only 270 will set you back around £70.  It is bottled at 51.9%.

    I was keen to try this rum as I heard good things about Pot Still rum from Long Pond and it seems that quite a lot of it is available from this year 2000.

    In the glass the rum is a light golden brown.  Duncan Taylor do not add colorant nor do they chill filter their rums.  So it is likely there may be a bit cloudiness or sediment in the rum.  This should not put any enthusiast off.

    The nose is rocket fuel.  I’m not really one for making OTT tasting or nosing notes but this is definitely rum turned up to 11.  It’s one of those rums you can smell at twenty paces.  It screams Pot Still to any Jamaican rum enthusiast.  It makes Smith & Cross seem like Appleton 12.

    Varnish, paint stripper, lemon rind all jostle for position. Nosing deeper, it is filled with sweeter notes of dried fruits, black banana’s and even a touch of mint and pine.

    Once it has settled down in the glass it becomes slightly less fiery and a little more muted.  The nose is still huge but its a bit more balanced once it has had a little time to settle down.  All the notes remain but in perhaps more harmony.  The oak ageing
    begins to shine through giving it a bit more familiar rum feel rather than exhaust pipes.

    At just over 50% ABV I should be able to cope with this but you mDuncan Taylor Jamaica Rum 15 Years Single Cask Long Pond 2000 review by the fat rum pirateay wish to add a little water to suit your palate.

    Despite the fullness and the menace on the nose this is actually a much sweeter and a more refined sip than I had expected.  There is a minty refreshing note to this a little like toothpaste.  The sweetness takes the form of bananas and a little raisin, white grapes perhaps.  It’s a very distinctive rum. I’m reminded of the Pot Still rums from Fiji but with a sweeter edge, more approachable.

    Don’t be fooled by the talk of sweetness.  It’s a big, menacing rum.  However it also carries along with it a lot of complex sweet notes.  A kind of sweet but only barely sour note that is kind of like bourbon but not quite.

    As you can see it is quite a difficult rum to describe.  Very unique in terms of what I have tasted so far.  It has similarities with other rums but it seems to be kind of out on its own.

    With such complexities in a rum the balance can often be a little out.  This really excels as a sipper (I would imagine it would make some mean mixed drinks as well).  There are no off putting notes.  I like it all, a lot.

    This is easily one of the best Jamaican rums and one of the best rums overall I have ever tasted.  If you can find one of the remaining 269 bottles then I would definitely urge you to buy at least one!

  • Havana Club 7 Anos

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Havana Club 7 Anos Rum ReviewHavana Club 7 Anos is the first in the Havana Club series in terms of price which is intended as a sipping rum.  The other Anejo’s and White Rum’s in the range are aimed entirely at mixing.  There is little to say about Havana Club that hasn’t been said before.  I think the rum is still largely unavailable in the US of A and I’m pretty sure Bacardi have even taken advantage of this to issue their own “Havana Club” brand of rum.

    When Bacardi had to re-locate to Puerto Rico, Havana Club remained in Cuba and remained largely under government control.  I’m not sure if that situation still exists.

    The presence of Havana Club particularly in the UK has increased rapidly recently.  Most supermarkets carry the Havana Club range of rum’s and it is readily available in a lot of city centre bar’s, especially the trendy “cocktail” orientated establishments.  Even my local Italian restaurant stocks the younger Anejo and white 3 Anos.

    Havana Club 7 Anos is presented in an unusual tall sleek black bottle.  Usually I would find a screw cap to be a bit of a disappointment but the screw top is good quality and unusually it adds to the overall presentation.  The black bottle is broken up by the red Havana Club motif and the usual Republica De Cuba Garantia green sticker.  This sticker certifies that the rum is from Cuba and is found on ALL Havana club products.  The rum is bottled art 40% and retails at around £23-28 in the UK.  I was fortunate to pick up a bottle for just £20 on sale.

    The rear of the 7 Anos gives Don Jose Navarro’s tasting notes (Master Blender)

    “It has an intense and complex aroma, with a palate of honey, vanilla, chocolate, cocoa, sweet tobacco, dry fruits and spicy notes.  The finish is powerful and full bodied”

    Well it sounds impressive, the front label also states the rum should be enjoyed over ice or in a premium cocktail.  All impressive sounding stuff.

    So how does the rum look in the glass? Well the bottle certainly doesn’t give much away!  In the glass the rum is medium to dark brown/amber colour.  The nose is quite sweet but I detect the same scent that I have experienced with the Havana Club Anejo.  It’s a kind of petrol like smell, maybe a little like engine oil or nail varnish perhaps smokiness maybe tobacco.  It’s a sweet yet chemical like smell.  It’s not a smell I’m overly keen on.  It may be the oakiness of the wood but there is something in the nose that I really don’t like.  Their is a creamy/buttery vanilla like smell as well common in these lighter Cuban style rum’s.  The remaining nose is oak, dry tobacco and smokiness.  I’m detecting little by way of fruit in the nose.

    When sipped the first taste I really get is a little like when you splash a little after shave on your mouth and you can’t help but taste it. It’s very hot, spicy and very bitter.  Luckily the burn isn’t bad and very short.  Subsequent sips are much smoother.  If you slosh the rum around a little in your mouth you get a more satisfying flavour.  The engine oil/oakiness of the rum is present but it isn’t as overpowering as in the Anejo.  The finish is quite short and very bitter.  The note of cocoa by the Master Blender is spot on.  Personally I prefer Drinking Chocolate to Cocoa and my rum tastes are fairly similar.  This is a real Cuban style rum.  One which would be enjoyed with a big cigar.  Its smoky and bitter it reminds you of snooker halls full of smoke or old fashioned gangster movies.

    My own personal preferences are one of the reasons I resisted “scoring” rums for so long.  However, I hope if you read my reviews in full you will be able to make an informed decision on whether the rum is for you.  After all I enjoy a lot of my rum with cola, a lot of people see this as an aberration!

    Speaking of cola I best add some to the Havana Club.  The rum does mix surprisingly well the bitterness and notes of tobacco lose their edge.  The “Havana Cuba smell” which I still can’t quite pinpoint (petrol, varnish, paint, tobacco maybe) is still there.  This can make the rum a little cloying and rich along with the cola.  I actually find it a bit sickly and unpleasant after a few.  Actually I’m beginning to come round to the taste profile in the Havana Club’s I don’t like is actually tobacco like which is why it makes me a little queasy.

    The Havana Club 7 is a good rum, well crafted, it doesn’t seem to have been messed with – it’s authentic Cuban rum.  Unfortunately there is just something in its profile that I just don’t like.  In the style I would go for Matusalem 15 or Bermudez Aniversario first but that is purely my preference.  I must score it as I find it though.  There is no point fudging my results by judging rum’s on how well made or “authentic” they are.   I’m certainly not going to change my opinion to satisfy other people’s viewpoints.

    This is a good example of a 7 year old Cuban rum.  If you especially like Cuban rum add a half or full star to my rating.

    2 stars

     

     

     

    This rum is available from

    THEDRINKSHOP

     

  • Appleton Estate Twitter Tasting 7pm (GMT) Wednesday 14th October 2015

    Bythefatrumpirate

    AppletonTwitterTastingOnce again we will be taking part in a Twitter Tasting, this time alongside Ian Burrell (Global Rum Ambassador) and David Morrison (Senior Master Blender at Appleton Estate).

    The tasting flight includes three rums from the Appleton Estate line up and a cocktail which highlights the versatility of Appleton Estate’s entry level rum – Signature Blend (formerly the V/X).

    The tasting is partly to coincide with this weeks Rum Experience Week which culminates in the weekend’s London Rumfest and partly to highlight the brands recent re-branding of the Estates rum line up

    Appleton Estate Signature Blend (formerly V/X)

    Appleton Estate Rare Blend Aged 12 Years (formerly Extra Aged 12 Years)

    Appleton Estate 21 Year Old

    Mai Tai Mix

    As well as taking part in the Twitter Tasting we will also be casting our critical eye overAppletonLive the newly packaged rums over the next few weeks to determine if only the packaging has changed.  I have been assured that the rum in these blends is the same as before – its just the packaging that has changed.

    However, you may notice that one of the Appleton Estate rums is missing from the line up the Appleton Estate Reserve 8 Year Old (which has been renamed the Appleton Estate Reserve Blend).  From my understanding this expression has been brought into line with the US variant of the rum, so it will be different to the one I have tasted in the past.  So this too will be on my radar once the newly packaged rum becomes more freely available in the UK.  (Currently it seems the old stock is still largely being sold)

    So there you have it.  If you have your #AppletonLive tasting kit then I look forward to discussing the rums tomorrow, if not but you have some of the rums in the flight or just want to come along and see how it progresses then just follow the hashtag from 7pm tomorrow.

  • That Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateThat Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 Years. We are back reviewing another Boutique-y Rum Company release. This time I’m 100% up to date as this bottling is due for release today (19/11/2021).

    Which is nice because things have been slipping a little lately on the site. I haven’t been updating it as often as I would like. Life has a habit of getting in the way of doing the things you’d like to do I’ve found recently……..

    Anyway, this is the first Boutique-y Rum release from a distillery based in mainland Europe. As the title suggests this rum hails from the Netherlands and comes from the Zuidam Distillery. The distillery which is headed up by distiller Patrick Van Zuidam has been producing their won “Flying Dutchman” branded rum for a number of years now.

    I’ve been aware of Zuidam Distillery for some time but have never previously had the opportunity to try any of their rums. I’ll also say that due to my somewhat eclectic buying choices/decisions I have never sought to buy their products either. Quite why I’m not entirely sure as I have heard good things about them. I will confess though I am always put off a little by distilleries that produce multiple types of spirit rather than focusing one in particular.

    More often than not Rum is pretty much an after thought or a Spiced/Flavoured rum range is released as a cheap cash in. So I tend to avoid releases from such distillers. I will say at this stage that I have been told that Zuidam but a lot of care in to all their products.

    So what do we have for review today exactly?

    This rum is produced using imported molasses, which goes through long fermentation (two weeks plus, I’ve been told) utilising multiple yeast strains before being double distilled in Pot stills. This rum has been aged for 4 years in the Netherlands using an ex-Pedro Ximénez cask and is bottled with The Flying Dutchman name, which is consistent with the own-label rums released from the distillery.

    The usual wacky Boutique-y label design shows Patrick van Zuidam in full Willy Wonka garb with a pirate-y eyepatch. He is in a roiling sea of fermenting molasses, beneath a nightmarish looking sky. A member of the crew hands him his telescope, as he is said to always have one eye on the future. A pitched battle appears to be won by the crew of the Howard Pyle. The nearest ship to them has been holed, slipping below the waves with the Captain clinging to the mast. Another ship has turned tail and is making off like a bat out of hell. A Windmill in the background reminds us of the heritage of the rum in the bottle.

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 Years comes in a 50cl/500ml bottle. The rum has been bottled at 53% ABV. Stock in the UK at Master of Malt is quite limited, as a lot is being sent to mainland Europe. I am unsure how many bottles of this have/will be released. Currently it is limited to one bottle per customer which will cost you £59.95. If you are in a hurry to buy this then here is a link, which will also see me get a couple of quid to go towards hosting fees etc (or maybe a bottle of rum).

    So lets see what this rum is like I’m very keen to try something finally, from this distillery.

    In the glass we have rum which is a shade or two darker than perhaps a “traditional” Gold rum. It’s nearly dark……but has an orange hue around the edges and running right through it.

    On the nose That Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 years is initially very sweet and very heavy on the raisin. In short the initial burst is that of PX Sherry. For those unfamiliar PX Sherry is a very sweet sherry that does carry a lot of raisin aromas (and flavours). Bit like Christmas Cake.

    Further nosing and the raisin noted develop more into dark chocolate covered raisins. I am now beginning to notice more of the “rummy” notes in this spirit though. So I am getting a nice hit of treacly molasses and some really nice vanilla and coconut notes.

    Due to the age of the rum it does have quite a nostril tingling kick to it and a slightly astringent note. Some pencil shavings and a touch of green chilli. I’m also noticing a kind of minty/menthol note, the more I stick my beak into it.

    It’s rich and fruity but has a little menace to it as well – bit of backbone which I like in a rum – especially a Pot Still Rum. It’s pretty complex and there are also a couple of notes/aromas that I can’t quite place but they add to the rich fruityness of the nose. Some kind of exotic fruits.

    Sipped, I am getting much of a Pot Still Rum flavour now. More heavy treacly molasses and some spicy notes which give a nice kick of spicy heat and oak tannins. The fruitiness especially the raisin from the PX cask mingles in amongst this and is less dominant than on the nose. Dark chocolate, plums and some apricot jam develop on the mid palate alongside some of the slightly minty elements and a good chunk of oak and spices. Some Gingerbread and a touch of fennel.

    As we move into the finish I notice more of the vanilla and some coconut notes. The finish is a reasonable length but it does lose quite a lot of the oak and spiciness. This leaves behind the gentler vanilla and coconut, which fade out nicely.

    That Boutique-y Rum Company Flying Dutchman Rum Aged 4 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateAs it stands this is certainly a very mature sip for what is a 4 year old rum. Yes it does show some of its youthfulness – but I quite like that. Overall it’s a very complex experience. There is a lot of development from the initial nose to the finish on the sip. At full strength I didn’t feel it needed any water. As mentioned earlier, it certainly belies its age to some extent.

    My interest in Zuidam Distillery is well and truly piqued by this release and I would be very keen to try this with more age on it. I think the use of PX cask has really worked – without being overbearing. It’s added a layer to the rum which is what a good finish/maturation should do. It should add some influence to the rum not make the rum taste like Sherry.

    Great stuff

  • Worthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Worthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira rum review by the fat rum pirateWorthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira. This rum is noted as being number 4 in the Worthy Park run of Cask Selection releases.

    Unlike the Port Cask rum this is a vintage from 2013 – like the Oloroso and Marsala casks that preceded it. The price of this is reflected, as it cheaper than the 2008 Port Cask release. I also have the Sherry Cask release to review. The Virgin Oak edition I tried at London Rumfest in October has yet to surface in retail……..

    This release is one of 677 bottles (so it’s not a single cask release). As with all Worthy Park releases the rum was distilled from molasses in Copper Pot Stills. The rum was then aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 4 years. It was then transferred into Madeira barrels for a second maturation of 1 year.

    I know all this because is it is written on the rear label. I also know the rum was bottled at 58% ABV. Retail wise expect to pay around £80 in the UK for a 70cl bottle.

    Presentation is in keeping with the previous releases and Worthy Park’s Single Estate reserve. So you get a nice heavy 3/4 size bottle with a chunky cork stopper. The presentation is sleek and modern and it does give the rum a premium appearance.

    Worthy Park have been earning quite a lot of praise over the past couple of years. I was actually one of the first rum reviewers to cover their rum’s way back in 2015. I have been a fan every since. They produce outstanding rum. They Worthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira rum review by the fat rum piratealso have one of the friendliest people in the rum world in Zan Kong who is a great ambassador for Worthy Park and Jamaican rum in general.

    But that doesn’t give them a free pass if this rum isn’t up to scratch……

    In the glass we have a dark brown spirit with an orange tinge around the edges.

    Nosing Worthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira I get the signature banana and English breakfast tea notes that are omnipresent in Worthy Park’s rums.

    Milky breakfast tea, banana bread and some light vanilla are immediate on the palate. Moving into some tannic and sulphur like notes – red wine and a dash of cider vinegar. There is a sweetness of slightly tart blackberries and some red currants.

    It’s complex and inviting. Notes of spice come through subtly – a little light oak and some ginger.

    Sipped at full ABV the rum is unsurprisingly quite spicy with a fair amount of burn. It’s a fairly young spirit, all being said so it might seem a little harsh to some. A few drops of water help temper the burn a little.

    The Madeira maturation certainly has had a significant effect on this rum. It may be a touch on the heavy side as it is a bit heavy on some of the “sulphur” like notes. Maybe some of the more familiar and enjoyable Worthy Park notes have lost their way a little with this one.

    As well as being very spicy on the entry you also get a lot of sweetness – again I’m getting blackberries and currants. There is a tannic almost bitter like note, again showing the Madeira influence.

    The mid palate allows more of the rum to shine with some more “normal” Worthy Park notes shining through – banana, coconut and that breakfast tea note. This then moves into a fairly long fade of spicy oak and some cinnamon and all spice. A slight bitterness is left in the mouth, which whilst not completely unpleasant, isn’t great for me.Worthy Park Special Cask Release Madeira rum review by the fat rum pirate

    I would probably have enjoyed this rum more, without the Madeira finish if I am being entirely honest. Whilst it does make a significant difference to the rum – I do think it may have had a little too much influence. I’m not a big Madeira drinker – perhaps if you are this rum might appeal more to you.

    Despite all this “negativity” this is still a more than decent rum. I may not enjoy it as much as the Port Cask or the Oloroso or Marsala casks but it’s still “good” rum. Aside from the odd off note, it’s very drinkable and pretty tasty.

    It’s just not one of the better Worthy Park offerings. Still way better though than a lot of competitors!