Most supermarkets in the UK have their own brand spirits. Marks and Spencer (or M&S for short), however do not do anything by halves.
So rather than trot out just a standard white and dark Caribbean rum, they have actually got some pretty interesting rums on their shelves.
The M&S Bajan Estate XO and Guatemalan Plantation rums have both been uncovered as being supplied by Cognac Ferrand’s rum blending wing Plantation Rum. The information on this bottle which states the rum is produced and bottled in France leads me to believe that this Gingerbread flavoured offering is also from Plantation Rum. NB – Since writing this review I have been informed by Nick Rodgers who works alongside Cognac Ferrand and Plantation Rum that is not a product produced by Plantation.
In 2012 following the loss of the rights for Cockspur Rum back in 2010, Blavod Wines and Spirits introduced a new spiced rum to the market – Red Leg Spiced Rum. Please note at this stage the official way to title this rum is to keep the Red and the Leg together (But with the L still capitalised) – RedLeg. However for purposes of people searching the web for this I figured it best to keep it separate on the title etc.
Today I am reviewing an offering from the wonderful Foursquare Distillery, Barbados. The island often cites itself as the birthplace of rum. The oldest “official” (ie legal) rum distillery in the world is the Mount Gay Distillery, so its a fair enough claim to make. They also have plenty of other facts to back up their claims if you look into rums rich history.
Mezan are a relatively new independent bottler. They are in 
Bacardi re-launched this rum only last year in the UK. Until then Bacardi Gold (as it was then) was bottled at 37.5% ABV. This was increased to 40% ABV. Now the whole Bacardi line up has been re-vamped and Bacardi Gold has been re-named in a more contermporary style whilst still keeping some of the distinguishing Bacardi features.
Cadenhead’s are an independent Scotch Whisky and Spirit bottler from Campbelltown, Argyle in Scotland. They are well respected, not only for their whiskies but also for producing some legendary rums over the years. They have put out several 30 plus years old Demeraras and have a very eclectic mix of rums currently available.
Gosling’s don’t tend to rush their releases or have many lines in their portfolio. Until recently their only rum commercially available was the Black Seal and the Black Seal Overproof.