Brugal are one of the big three “B’s” in rum production on the Dominican Republic. (Barceló and Bermudez are the other two) For those who do not know the Domician Republic is the politically divided island of Hispaniola. The remaining part of the island is Haiti.
A couple of years ago Brugal began re-branding their slightly dated bottles. This coincided (no doubt deliberately) as they began to expand into Europe. Since the re-launch Brugal can now be seen in most style and cocktail bars in the UK. More often than not it will be this rum and the XV which will be stocked.
The Legendary Alnwick Rum no less. The Spirit of Northumberland it proclaims. Not much of a proclamation to make really. I can’t think of a drink other than Newcastle Brown Ale the North East has produced, which is famous beyond its own counties borders.
Plantation 3 Stars is a white rum from the French based bottling giant Plantation . The name is coined from the 3 “stars” of the Caribbean from which the rum is obtained. Namely Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. As with most of the Plantation rums there is no age statement.
Havana 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.
Ron Pampero is typically known by Venezuelan’s as “Caballito Frenao” (literal translation “The Restrained Horse”). Which is guess explains in part the man astride a white horse on it red label (though it shows no sign of restraints).For those unfamiliar with Venezuela it is sandwiched between Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela’s coast line is on the Caribbean Sea.
For those that aren’t aware (and either you haven’t bought this rum before or cannot read – in which case you won’t be able to read this either and come to think of it you wouldn’t be reading my blog…) Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is named after Chris Blackwell.
The British have a long standing love affair with dark rum. Most navy rum is British Navy Rum. Dark, sweet Demerara based rum’s are fairly commonplace in the UK Supermarkets. Brands such as Lamb’s and Captain Morgan lead the way in terms of sales. Rum which has been distilled and aged in the Caribbean but transported to the UK for blending (and occasionally further ageing). Lamb’s and Captain Morgan use a blend of different rum’s from different islands. Jamaican rum is used in Captain Morgan to lead the way in terms of flavour (it fails miserably).