That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados

Bythefatrumpirate

That Boutique-y Rum Company Foursquare Distillery Barbados. That Boutique-y Rum Foursquare Distillery Barbados Rum Review by the fat rum pirateI’m not at all surprised to see an offering from Foursquare Distillery making an appearance as part of That Boutique-y Rum Company’s line up. You see UK Brand Ambassador for Foursquare and Doorly’s Rum is none other than Peter Holland, who works with That Boutique-y Rum Company as a consultant.

Now there have been a number of “distillery” releases from Foursquare this year but the number of Independently bottled rums from Foursquare has also kept up a steady pace. To be honest I have stuck mainly to the distillery releases this year, such is their quality.

However, this bottling might pique the interest of a few Foursquare stalwarts. You see this is the oldest rum which has been sent to European Rum Brokers for additional maturation. This particular blend of Pot and Column distilled rum was aged for 11 years in Barbados before being sent to Europe. That Boutique-y Rum Company merely re-casked this rum into an ex-bourbon barrel in 2017 for an additional year of ageing. The rum has been aged entirely in just ex-bourbon barrels. So on the face of things we should have a rum similar to the 2004,2005 and 2007 Foursquare Distillery releases. This rum is a November 2005 vintage to be exact. It is 12 years old as it was botld in 2018.

The rum has been bottled as Cask Strength of 53.7% ABV and has been put in a very quirky 50cl bottle, boasting a label that features various seemingly unconnected things, like a specific number of a specific variety of birds, some tasty crisps and a character from a popThat Boutique-y Rum Foursquare Distillery Barbados Rum Review by the fat rum pirateular television series. What could it all mean…?

It retails exclusively at our friends over at Master of Malt for £64.95. On release of this, their first batch there were 521 bottles available. I doubt very many are left now. So you might need to be quick to get this one. I’ve moved quickly to push this up the review schedule.

In the glass we have a classic golden brown aged rum, with an orange/yellow tinge around the edges. Nosing the rum is familiar and reassuringly good! Classic notes of Vanilla, coconut, hazelnuts and pecans. Followed up by sweet notes of blackcurrant and a nice warming balance of oak and spices.

It has a great balance to it and such a good harmony and integration. At 53.7% it doesn’t have many boozy edges and feels just about perfect.

Sipped, the rum is a bit more spicy than I was expecting from the nose. Not quite as nutty initially. With further sips it all calms down and we are left sipping a very nicely balanced drop of rum.

Whilst the initial entry isn’t overly boozy it is quite hot and has a slightly bitter edge to it, this quickly moves over with the vanilla and coconut taking over. The pecans come back into play as well. There is a touch of raisin and blackcurrant and some traces of cinnamon.

As a sipper it is complex and rewarding and is definitely a rum which you will savour and spend time with in your glass. I like to have a glass alongside a rum and cola to sip on every now and then. It has a nice boozy rummy kick at 53.7% ABV but its balance makes it easy to sip.

That Boutique-y Rum Foursquare Distillery Barbados Rum Review by the fat rum pirateThe finish is very rich and warming with lots of double cream and hazlenuts. We are then presented with a rich array of spices which cling to the tastebuds making for a very long and very pleasant finish.

This rum will come as no surprise to anyone who has tried a Foursquare blend of Pot and Column distilled rum aged entirely in ex-bourbon casks. As a rum it is very good but it is slightly more expensive than the official distillery releases. So you have to take that into consideration. You are paying for the fact only 521 bottles will ever exist.

There is no surprise or any doubt in my mind just how good a rum this is. If you are a Foursquare nut then go get yourself a bottle. While you still can…..

 

 

 

 

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  • Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateDràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years. I suppose saying this rum comes from “Fiji Distillery” isn’t really all that inaccurate. Whilst the actual distillery is perhaps better known, to those who actually know about Fijian rum, as South Pacific Distillery it is the only rum distillery on Fiji.

    I always try and make sure the titles of my reviews reflect best what the producer has stated on the label. My thinking being you will find it easier searching for them online or find it less confusing should you encounter a bottle in the “wild” so to speak.

    So today we have the first in the two Spring 2022 releases of rum from Dràm Mòr Group. I have already reviewed their two releases from last year and will also review the other Spring release as soon as I can.

    The thing I like about reviewing Independent Bottlings, is that because they aren’t focused on a “brand” or concocting an elaborate back story for a particular rum. They tend to focus more on the actual liquid in the bottle. You find that you get facts. Which from what my feedback tells me – you as rum enthusiasts actually want to know. With so many Independent bottlings floating around, such information can make a huge difference when making a decision to purchase. Obviously if I give this a high score you will all rush out and buy a bottle regardless of course……

    Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years has been bottled at 60% ABV and this particular bottling is from Cask Number #28. It has been matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and “finished” for 5 months in an 1st Fill Buffalo Trace Cask (which is also a bourbon in case you are wondering). This is a Single Cask Rum and there were 212 bottles available upon release.

    South Pacific Distillery operate 2 Pot Stills and 3 Column Stills. Unfortunately I don’t have any information on what still(s) the rum was distilled in. I’m not sure of the split between tropical and continental ageing either.

    Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years is available from the Good Spirits Co. in Glasgow (and other retailers) and retails at £64 for a 70cl bottle. Presentation wise the rum comes in a standard “bar style” bottle with a synthetic cork stopper. The overall presentation is clean and sleek certainly more up to date than some indie bottlers that’s for sure!

    Pricewise for a 12 year old Independent bottling the rum seems to be very keenly priced. So lets see if it is worth buying……..

    In the glass we are presented with a light golden spirit. On the nose you are struck by overripe pineapple. It’s fruity but beneath the pineapple is a herbal note reminiscent of St Lucia Distillers rum. It is a mix of fruity sweetness and some herbal notes like pine cones and pot pourri.

    Further nosing reveals a smokiness and a medicinal hit of Calpol, some aniseed and some light tar/engine oil.

    Unlike some younger Fijian rum I have tried the less “appetising” sounding notes from the nose don’t overpower the rum. They just add extra layers to the fruity pineapple and notes of raisin and white grape.

    Sipped the rum is big and bold with lots and lots of flavour. It’s spicy and a little fierce. The initial hit of herbal spices come in with a hit of chilli and black pepper. Once the palate adjusts the fruity notes begin to come out to play.

    Pineapple, banana and some raisin come along as we move into the mid palate. At this stage the rum becomes a little smoky and you begin to taste the tarry/medicinal notes.

    I do think that Fijian rum, much like Caroni very much benefits from being tried at a higher ABV. This rum is no shrinking violet and has lots and lots of flavour and complexity to enjoy.

    Dràm Mòr Single Cask Rum Fiji Distillery Aged 12 Years rum review by the fat rum pirateAs we move towards the finish you get a second wind of pineapple and banana alongside some more soothing herbal spices and a nice hit of oak. The higher ABV means the finish is long and very pleasant. This is a rum which you will likely take slowly as there is so much going on. Its a shame to rush it.

    Fijian rum can be hitty miss but I find once you get into double digits in terms of age the rum seems to mature and take on more of the cask it has been matured in. Make no mistake though Fijian rum is “challenging” and is certainly not a rum which will be appreciated by all.

    If you want something halfway between a Saint Lucia Distillers offering and a Caroni Fijian rum is something to consider. If you like either (or both) these styles of rum then I think you will find this bottling in particular, very much to your liking.

    This is a complex, challenging and very tasty rum and I highly recommend it.

     

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    Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum review by the fat rum pirateTwin Fin Barrel Aged Rum. From the outset it seems that Twin Fin is one of those brands that seems to have arrived with a very clear idea of who it’s for, and just as importantly, who it isn’t.

    There’s no attempt to muscle in on the hardcore enthusiast space, no claims of ancient recipes or secret fermentation techniques. Instead, Twin Fin leans into a relaxed, lifestyle-led identity that suggests surfboards, sunsets and uncomplicated enjoyment.

    It comes from the Southwestern Distillery in Cornwall which is best known for Tarquin’s Gin. So none of this should come as much of a surprise.

    Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum represents their take on “straight” Caribbean rum blended and bottled in the UK. They do, of course have a Spiced variant and other flavours but we aren’t reviewing those today. If ever………..

    The Barrel Aged expression is where Twin Fin makes its most convincing case for being more than just a branding exercise.

    This is molasses-based Caribbean rum, it pairs a 5 year old rum from Guyana with a 6 year old Panama rum, which were matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being blended and bottled in Cornwall.

    There’s no age statement and no real attempt to play on the origins of the blend. Caribbean which immediately tells you this is not a transparency-first release aimed at hardcore rum enthusiasts.

    Bottled at 40% ABV and typically priced between £30 and £35 in the UK, it should sit comfortably in that middle ground between casual mixer and entry-level sipper.

    This is a rum designed to be neat-friendly, without demanding your full attention. It will also play nicely in cocktails or simply mixed with cola.

    In the glass, Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum is a amber colour, golden brown with a light copper tint.

    Nothing here suggests extended maturation, but it looks clean and well put together. It hasn’t been radically dosed with E150.Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    The nose is soft and approachable and “pleasant”. Vanilla and caramel arrive first, soft and rounded rather than sharp or sugary. There’s plenty of ex-bourbon cask character: toffee, light brown sugar, and some oak spice.

    Beneath that sits a mild tropical fruit layer banana, a touch of pineapple and a hint of orange peel. The spice profile is restrained offering cinnamon and nutmeg rather than clove or allspice and there’s a faint buttery almost shortbread-like note that adds to the overall softness. It’s not complex, but it is well balanced and there’s nothing off-putting or awkward in the mix.

    On the palate, the rum does largely what the nose suggested. Sweetness first with vanilla ice cream, caramel and milk chocolate forming the core flavour profile.

    Mid-palate, some gentle fruit notes emerge. Banana remains the most prominent, joined by a touch of tropical fruit and dried fruits, perhaps sultanas. The spice remains firmly in the background, with cinnamon and a mild white pepper lift adding just enough contrast to stop things becoming flat. Oak influence becomes a little more noticeable here, gently drying the palate and keeping the sweetness in check without introducing bitterness.

    The finish is medium in length and is perfectly pleasant rather than mid blowing. Caramel and vanilla fade first, followed by a light oak dryness. It doesn’t linger for long, but it also doesn’t vanish instantly.

    The aftertaste is clean and inoffensive, making it easy to return for another sip.Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    Taken as a whole, Twin Fin Barrel Aged Rum is pretty good rather than memorable. It’s well balanced, neat and clearly designed with broad appeal in mind.

    It won’t thrill high-ester devotees or cask-strength hunters and it doesn’t offer much to more hardcore rum enthusiasts.

    A solid, approachable barrel-aged rum that does most things right without pushing boundaries. Not exciting, but well made, easy to enjoy, and entirely comfortable in its own skin.

  • Appleton Estate Reserve Blend

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Rum Review by the fat rum pirateWhen Appleton Estate re-branded their rums in 2015 much was made of the move.  The usual conspiracists hailed the blends must have all changed and been down graded.

    To be honest this is a familiar and very boring critique which is immediately “asked” everytime a producer decides to re-brand.  I found it particularly sad that a brand such as Appleton Estate would also be treat with such suspicion.

    To add some balance I will say that it is not surprising rum does get treated with suspicion – many producers do not help themselves.  I do feel though in this instance Appleton Estate should have been given a bit more of a break.

    Appleton Estate Reserve Blend was previously just Appleton Estate Reserve or Appleton Estate 8 Year Old.  For reasons which I do not know the UK got a variant on the Reserve which was sold in most of the rest of the world.  This rum was largely felt to be slightly sweeter and less funky.

    I have tried both the new Appleton Signature Blend and the 12 Year Old Rare Blend.  I cannot detect any notable difference between the old and new bottlings.  I tried both side by side over a few sessions.  Others have suggested otherwise.  I’m not going to argue the point, I can only taste what I taste and comment appropriately.

    I’m not sure quite what Appleton Estate really want to do with this particular rum.  When I took part in a Twitter Tasting of Appleton Estate rums I was not sent this rum as part of the flight.  It was missed out. The flight was Signature Blend, Rare Blend and the 21 Year Old.

    A bottle of Appleton Estate Reserve Blend will set you back around £25.  The Signature Blend is typically £20 and the Rare Blend can be picked up for as little as £32.  The average age of the rums in the blends are in keeping with the pricing.  This blend has an average age of around 8 years.

    I have reviewed the “old style” Reserve and enjoyed it a great deal.

    Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Rum Review by the fat rum pirateAs I’ve already mentioned I’m not sure if Appleton will persist with this particular line.  Even the packaging seems a little half hearted.  The colour scheme makes it hard to read in parts and it reflects badly in most artificial light (particularly the label on the neck).  It’s only a minor quibble as you still get the classic Appleton bottle and a good quality screw cap but it adds weight to the fact that I’m not sure Appleton want to continue with this rum.

    Prior to reviewing this rum I visited the London RumFest.  My friend Kevin Brooks very kindly had brought with him a tot of the old label 8 Year Old reserve, prior to the change of formula mentioned earlier.  This has enabled me to do a comparison far more effectively than I could have from memory.  Hoofing stuff Kev! Thanks!

    First up in the glass the Reserve Blend is a lovely golden/orange colour very inviting and very vibrant.  Looking at the two rums side by side I cannot tell them apart.  But looks (as you should know by now) are not everything in the rum world.

    The Reserve Blend is punchy, lots of Jamaican funk.  Black bananas and tropical fruit, orange zest and some nice spicy heat.  I could mistake it for the V/X quite easily.

    On the other hand the older Reserve bottling displays very little funk on the nose.  It is a much oakier affair.  Nice spicy oak notes similar to the 12 Year Old dominate with only hints of fruit and just a small undertone of funk.  It is quite zesty though with drier more zesty peel coming through.  For me the nose seems better balanced and more complex than the newer offering.

    Moving onto the tasting.  A sip of the new Reserve blend is a fruity experience.  It’s initially quite sweet – nice fruity notes banana, mango maybe a little grape, which fade into an almost tangy dry zesty spice.  The finish is medium long.  Althought its pretty spicy and lively on the tongue initially, it is quite smooth with little real alcohol burn.

    It reminds me of the V/X/Signature Blend, only maybe a touch older – some of the oak has slipped into the mix giving it some spice and a little more complexity.  It’s not bad as a sipper but like the V/X, maybe it has just a little too much of the younger rums to make it a great experience.  Good but not quite great.  It’s not hugely complex but its tasty enough on its own and it certainly isn’t bland.APPLETON RESERVE BLEND RUM REVIEW BY THE FAT RUM PIRATE

    Back to the old style “UK” Reserve blend.  I can certainly tell a huge difference between it and the new blend.  Before re-visiting this rum I did think I might have got my review wrong back then but this rum is a lot different to the current bottling.  The old Reserve, definitely has more in common with the 12 Year Old than the V/X/Signature Blend.  I remember saying at the time what a great sipper it was.  I was right.  It has a great balance to it.  Less funky and I prefer the drier oakier profile much more.

    I guess I’m left a little disappointed with the new blend but at the same time pleased that my re-collections have proved correct.

    It’s a touch better than the V/X but I doubt I would readily pay much for it as I would use it for the same purpose.  To mix.

    3.5 stars

     

  • Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo Rum review by the fat rum pirateRon Roble Viejo Extra Anejo. According to Google Translate this rum is Rum Oak Old Extra Old. Which is interesting, though I suspect it’s more Google’s shitty translation than anything else. The Ron Roble brand hails from Venezuela home of rums such as Santa Teresa, Diplomatico and the popular bar favourites Pampero and Cacique.

    Ron Roble is produced by Rones de Caribe under the guidance of Master Distiller and Blender Giorgio Melis, who has over 50 years experience in the drinks industry. Where have we heard these kind of tales before? I wonder. Still at least he’s not the Cuban Minister of Rum…………

    Ron Roble is produced from molasses which comes from sugar cane grown in the Yucatan Valley. The molasses is then transported to the distillery near Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. The molasses is fermented and the wash is then distilled on a 5 Column Still.

    As the name suggests much of Ron Roble’s flavour is derived from the ageing of the rum in 220 litre ex-bourbon oak barrels.. Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo is a blend of rums aged between 8 and 12 years. To be fair to it unlike so many “rons” it does not have a deceptive solera style age statement on its label.

    I am unsure how long the brand has been in existence but it is a relatively new brand to the rum world. It has had limited distribution here in the UK but it is available a lot more in Mainland Europe.

    If you are looking for more information on Ron Roble, they do have a website. To be honest there isn’t much substance to it. If it had I would have had more to write about here, but never mind. It can be found here if you are interested.

    I’ve reviewed quite a few Venezuelan rums over the years. In general as far as the “Spanish Style” or “rons” are concerned I have always found the Venezeulan rums, Diplomatico aside, to be not all “that” sweet. Admiitedly, they are usually still doctored a little though sadly. Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo is no exception with around 19g/L of additives.Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    Presentation wise as with most Premium rons this is sleekly presented with a tall thin bottle. Information is minimal but the presentation is clean and uncluttered. A blue branded card sleeve is provided and the rum is sealed with a cork enclosure.

    All in all I can understand why people would pick it off they shelf. Especially if they are new to rum. It retails at around the €40-45 mark. I can not see any current available here in the UK but Excellence Rhum currently have it in stock.

    So lets see how this one goes down.

    Nosing the rum is a lot sweeter than I was expecting. There is a lot of orange and red apple on the nose. I confected note as well like sticky boiled sweets. Beneath this are notes of oak and a little touch of smoke and some light toffee.

    It’s light and easy going. Too much so. It’s missing some of the leather and more complex notes found in other Venezuelan rums. It’s trying to be like Santa Teresa 1796 but it’s just went in a bit too sweet.

    All in all the nose is pleasant enough but its pretty meek and not really all that exciting.

    Sipped it has a bit more bite than the nose. There is an intiial sweetness but you do get a fairly good hit of oak and spices on the entry with this one, which I was quite surprised about.

    Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo is not all that punchy though, this is still in very light ron territory. It’s sweet and inoffensive. It’s easy drinking and not much thinking. The mid palate becomes a mixture of sweet fruits and barley sugar rubbing alongside an ever diminshing note of oak and some pepper notes.

    Ron Roble Viejo Extra Anejo Rum review by the fat rum pirateFinish wise it just fades out to pretty much nothing. This is far from a “hairs on your chest” type of rum.

    Now the thing is I have every confidence that the product in this bottle is exactly what the producer set out to produce. I also have every confidence that the type of person who enjoys this particular style of sweetened rum will find this to be pretty decent.

    For me it’s just all too soft and not “rummy” enough.  It’s just a bit too weak and flowery. It’s far from being sickly sweet or hugely confected but its gone further than say Pampero Aniversario or Santa Teresa 1796 down that route to make it far less interesting as a rum.

    Not for me.

     

     

  • Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia review by the fat rum pirateRaising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia. Star Wars themed….urgh.

    I’m not much of a Sci-Fi nut if I am being honest. Which seems quite uncommon amongst my fellow Rum Enthusiasts. Many of whom appear to be a lot more “geeky” with regard Sci-Fi/Marvel/DC and all that carry on. Well actually a lot of them are a lot more geeky than me about rum as well.

    When I was at growing up you got bullied for being a “geek”. Watching Star Wars was okay, as that was pretty mainstream. Bit Knight Rider as well on a Saturday night. If you were reading Spiderman comics or talking Klingon or painting miniature Orcs a kicking wouldn’t be far off for you though.

    That said I was never a great fan of Science Fiction even as a kid. I had a few Star Wars toys but only so I wouldn’t be left out.. I do remember getting some pretty rare figure from some bizarre discount shop in Holiday in Blackpool or Scarborough one time. It was the talk of the playground and I managed to swap it for some Goalkeeper gloves and about 500 football stickers. Don’t ask me what the figure was I have no clue. It was no interest to me then and of even less interest now! Nearly filled my sticker book though……I also avoided having the figure pinched from me. Which was happened to the person I swapped it with!

    Anyway, I get the Star Wars reference even though the only Star Wars related film I have any re-collection of seeing was the the Ewok Spin Off “Caravan of Courage”. We rented it from the shop at the end of the street and the selection wasn’t that hot. I recall we once rented a film and it had been taped off the telly complete with commercials. I’ve seen bits and bobs of the first three Star Wars movies at Christmas but never actually sat down and deliberately set about watching a full film.

    Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia hails from the oldest and probably the second most famous distillery in Australia Beenleigh. As much as it pains me to say, I think Bundaberg is the more famous distillery – especially worldwide. How Bundaberg has obtained this fame perhaps makes it more infamous but as they say all publicity is good publicity.

    The Yowie, if it isn’t obvious from the bottle shot is Australia’s “Bigfoot”. Quite exactly how that links to the rum in this bottle is anyone’s guess but it makes for an interesting label and naming convention. This is the 1st of 2 “Yowie” themed Star Wars related rums. In total Raising Glasses have released 3 Yowie related rums the first being a “Heavy Metal Edition”. I have no idea…….

    So the rum is noted as being Pot Still. However having spoke with Steve Magarry (Who worked at Beenleigh for many years) Beenleigh do run some of their wash through a column before it is pot distilled (at least I think that is what he was telling me!) so it isn’t truly 100% Pot Still rum, in the true sense. Still more of a Pot/Column blend. I may have not quite understood this process to be honest so any further info greatly appreciated. Further evidence of my lack of geeky credentials.

    The rum has been aged for 12 Years in Tropical Queensland in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to the UK for a further 5 years of ageing. The rear label of this release notes that the rum is produced from the S Pombe pre-2010 yeast strain. I have seen references to S Pombe before in rum circles but I’ll be honest I haven’t really looked into it that much. Have I ever mentioned that I’m not a very geeky rum geek?Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia review by the fat rum pirate

    Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia comes in a 375ml bottle – which is a sort of feature for Raising Glasses and is priced at $65. It is bottled at 69.1% ABV. The size and price go hand in hand to try and get more people to try “better” rums. To be fair the price of an Independent 70cl bottling can be pretty daunting for those not so experienced in the world of rum.

    5% of the profits from this bottle go towards North Queensland Animal Rescue centre.

    It is, alas only available in the US. We do however have plenty Beenleigh distilled Independently bottled rum available in the UK. So this will give a good indication of what you will find if you do splash the cash on a Beenleigh. I will note at this point that unlike Beenleigh’s “official” bottlings – you won’t find any additives in the Indie bottlings. Sadly the official output can have a little special sauce added……..not all but some.

    For such a well travelled rum, Raising Glasses the Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia, presents itself quite “normally” in the glass. It is classic golden/dark brown rum. It looks a little dull/cloudy. Not something which anyone should associate in a negative manner. Its just an observation. This is common in higher ABV spirits.

    For those unfamiliar with Beenleigh they produce a style of rum which has several similarities with “British” inspired Caribbean Islands such as Barbados, Antigua and Saint Lucia.

    So on the nose we are immediately met with oak spices from those ex-bourbon casks. You also get some rich tofffee and butterscotch notes. It’s a welcoming kind of rum and its familiar style will appeal to Bajan and Saint Lucian rum lovers.

    Further nosing reveals some custard and some light banana notes. Maybe a hint of shoe leather and a touch of soot.

    The Saint Lucian influence comes across especially in the more herbal notes. Pot Pourri and some Eucalyptus or some kind of herbal plant.

    It’s all very nicely balanced and well integrated with every working well in tandom.

    On the sip even at the full ABV (and you have plenty leeway to add some h2o it is a very nice sipper. Though I feel a few drops of water do help it open up a little.

    The initial sip is quite fiery with plenty of oak spice and some herbal notes becoming apparent. Further sips reveal more of the softer toffee and butterscotch notes and the banana and custard also put in appearance.

    Raising Glasses The Yowie Strikes Back 17 Year Single Cask Rum Australia review by the fat rum pirateAs we move into the mid palate you notice a leathery note and a good development of smoky aromas. The flavour certainly builds up nicely on this one.

    It’s a rum worth spending time with and savouring. Don’t rush it with this one. It has a surprisingly amount of complexity to it. It’s very much a Foursquare/1931 kind of hybrid rum. Which lets be honest would not be a bad thing?

    The finish even when you “down proof” this is very long and very enjoyable – old leather arm chairs, freshly swept chimneys and tobacco. All are all held in line by the lovely sweet balance of the toffee, banana and butterscotch.

    I didn’t mix this rum and I don’t think anyone picking up a bottle should either.

    Excellent stuff.

     

     

     

  • R.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    RL Seales Old Brigand Rum Review by the fat rum pirateR.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum.  This rum was formerly known as Alleyne Arthur’s Old Brigand Barbados rum. The rum is quite a staple on the island. Though you will be quite fortunate to find it outside of Barbados. I’ve been fortunate enough that a few very generous friends have brought me back bottles from Barbados.

    I was also fortunate to get some information on the brand from Foursquare Rum Distillery’s Master Distiller and Blender Richard Seale. Foursquare now own the brand.

    “In Barbados all of the rum “brands” were originally independent bottlers. Not unlike all of the Scotch Whisky blends. It was the law after 1906 as rum distilleries were then only allowed to sell in bulk.

    So back in the day there were dozens of brands. All wholesale traders bought rum from the distilleries and bottled in their name. Names like John D Taylor, ESA Field, Alleyne Arthur, Johnson & Redman (survives today as J&R rum), Martin Doorly, R L Seale etc.

    So there was and still are Alleyne Arthur rums. But back in the 1960’s? (could be later), Alleyne Arthur created a new brand – Alleyne Arthur’s ‘Old Brigand’ rum with all the features of a modern brand – a nice label, map of Barbados and a pirate. R.L Seale's Old Brigand Barbados Rum Review by the fatr rum pirate

    Alleyne Arthur acquired Martin Doorly in the 70’s and we (Foursquare) acquired Alleyne Arthur in 1993.

    So we dropped the title name and made it R L Seale’s Old Brigand. We still sell Alleyne Arthur rum. It’s full name is ‘Alleyne Arthur’s Special Barbados Rum’.”

    So there is a little history for you. I am very pleased to give a bit extra background to the Old Brigand rum as I also have the “Black Label” Old Brigand Rum to review as well. So any extra information is always welcome. Especially historical information such as this.R.L Seale's Old Brigand Barbados Rum Review by the fatr rum pirate

    Back in the present R.L Seale’s Old Brigand Barbados Rum is bottled at (what seems to be quite common on the island) 43% ABV. It is available in just about every bottle size from 50ml to 1 litre. Widely available across the island and extremely popular. Commonly known as the One Eyed Man and is regularly consumed neat or with cola.

    It is a mix of pot and column distilled rums from the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Although it has no formal age statement it is largely thought to be a 5 year old rum. I would say based mainly on how inexpensive it is on the island it may be more likely a blend up to 5 years old. But I am often wrong.

    In the glass Old Brigand Barbados Rum is a dark/golden brown colour. The nose is very familiar and very Foursquare. From the off I will say that I find the Old Brigand has a bit more bite to it than Doorly’s 5 Year Old or even the XO. I’d say this is more the Foursquare equivalent of Mount Gay’s Black Barrel or perhaps more like their now discontinued Eclipse Black.

    As familiar as the nose it – it is still very good. I’m getting quite a lot of charred barrel, which sits alongside a lot of coconut. Sweet, soft, light toffee alongside banana, a touch of ginger and a touch of cocoa and coffee.

    Whilst it sounds quite light it does have a certain heavier feel to it. A certain menace lurking possibly from the slightly higher 43% ABV.

    Sipped it is fairly hefty for a Bajan rum. It’s not a huge bruising heavy rum but it does have a decent amount of “booze” to it. The charred flavours return alongside some dark chocolate and there is a nice amount of bourbon like zesty spice. It is maybe a touch on the bitter side for a regular sipper. Probably something which you might buy in these little “hip flask” size bottles and have an occasional swig of. Like a proper alcoholic…..

    In Barbados they seem to have no inhibitions of snobbiness when it comes to mixing rum with cola. Which is good because this particular reviewer has never made any claims that he doesn’t enjoy a really good rum and cola.

    I think this rum makes the best rum and cola I have ever tried. The kick and slight char work really well alongside the cola. It is also a very “smoothing” rum which flattens some of the carbonation in the cola. I don’t like overtly fizzy cola. So this works wonderfully for me. When you begin mixing Old Brigand you realise that all the notes that were on the nose – coconut, banana, toffee etc return.

    I dare say some people might scoff at my score for this rum. I know at least one of my friend who visited Barbados and initially passed on this rum as it looked to “cheap” to be any good. For the price it is available for on Barbados it is probably the biggest rum bargain in the world. I personally think Foursquare should look to put this out to the export market. I’d have this over Doorly’s 5 and 8 every time.

    I’ve not asked Richard much about this rum as I didn’t want to have any preconceptions. I will however be more than happy to add some more notes to this review to explain exactly what the blend/age of this rum should he read this.

    Please note: Richard did indeed read the review and confirmed that the rum in the blend is between 2 and 3 years old. Thanks Richard