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.
Foursquare Rum Distillery, St Philip, Barbados really should need no introduction. Originally set up by Reginald Leon Seale the great-great grandfather of the current Master Blender and Distiller Richard Seale, the distillery has become the byword for classic Caribbean rum.
Cadenhead’s or Wm Cadenhead are an independent bottler of Scotch Whisky and other Fine Spirits based in Campbeltown, Argyle in Scotland. The company has been operating since 1842 and some of their more idiosyncratic blended whiskies and rums are currently available under the brands 1842 Live Cask range.
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.
As Managing Director of the self styled “untouched rum” Neil Mathieson has set the bar high in terms of expectation.
Another try out with a Mezan rum. At these prices it would simply have been rude not to give Mezan a fair crack of the whip. With Mezan trying to do things the “right way” (in many peoples eyes – including their own) I simply had to persevere with their range.
Havana Club Maximo. Not a rum I ever envisaged reviewing on the site. Please note the image to the left is taken from the