Compagnie des Indes Caraibes. The French Independent bottler Compagnie des Indes have been making great strides over the past couple of years. They have expanded from releasing rums at 43-46% ABV and are now moving into Cask Strength bottlings.
A fair few of these have went to the Danish market and have been pretty difficult to come by in the UK and mainland Europe. Generous samples from enthusiasts in Denmark have helped me try some of these rums. Fortunately Compagnie des Indes Caraibes is/was a little easier to access.
Watson’s Trawler Rum is another dark navy style rum from “up north”. Scotland has a real tradition when it comes to rum. Many famous Independent bottlers such as obvious ones like Cadenhead’s and Duncan Taylor age their rums in Scotland. Surprisingly for some, Italian bottlers such as Samaroli and Silver Seal also age their rums up there.
Expressions is the first in a series of Aged Pot Still Rums, to be released by the newly formed Old Man Rum Co.
Ron de Jeremy Reserva is the flagship rum of One Eyed Spirit’s Ron de Jeremy portfolio. It has been widely available for a number of years. It’s success is down to a mixture of clever (if slightly smutty) marketing and a respectable product.
The Jefferson family have a long and rich history in the rum world. They were one of the first families to import sugar (and subsequently rum) to UK shores. The family is preserved in history at the Rum Story attraction in Whitehaven, Cumbria.
The Duppies are Caribbean spirits who steal Caribbean rum hopping from island to island, keeping the best for themselves.
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.