That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

Bythefatrumpirate

That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 GrenadaThat Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada. I’m not sure whether the Boutique-y Rum Company are purposefully attempting to have the longest name for a rum ever put on a bottle, but they seem to be doing a good job if they are. Catchy is not a word I would use to describe their bottlings. Though the company name is quite quirky and the designs on the bottle are very distinctive.

Luckily though, what the Boutique-y Rum Company do focus on is sourcing quality and at time quite unusual rums. Rums that perhaps other independents would shy away from bottling. They have a number of “Secret Distillery” bottlings. This is not a gimmick on behalf of  Boutique-y Rum Company.

The rum world has changed over the past few years. Caribbean (in particular) distilleries are beginning to see the true value in their own distillery botttlings. No longer concentrating on satisfying just the domestic market with inexpensive, relatively young bottlings. They are now producing their own aged products, for the worldwide market. Focusing particularly on Europe and the US.

Previously Independent bottlers would buy aged products from rum brokers such as E.A Scheer and proudly display the name of the distillery. Often more boldly than their own logos etc. As a result some producers began to question the use of what they began to see as their “brand” (ie the distillery name). Whilst an outright ban on using distillery names hasn’t been legally enforced a number of distilleries have requested that Independent bottlers do not use the distillery name.

As a result and in accordance with these agreements That Boutique-y Rum Company are, when requested using “Secret Distillery” and the country of origin only to identify where the rum has come from.

This practice hasn’t translated to all distilleries so you can still hazard a guess at where a rum might have come from. Today I am reviewing “Secret Distillery” #4 Grenada.

So do I have any more information about this rum? Yes luckily I do. First up it was produced on a Traditional Coffey Column Still.That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada is from a Single Distillery. It has been aged for 20 years (I’m unaware where it was aged). It has been bottled at 52.3% ABV and their are 212 50cl bottles available of this rum priced at £98.95 over at Master of Malt.

Identifying the distillery this might come from leads me down the route of picking from 2 of the 3 distilleries on Grenada. It can’t be from Renegade Rum Distillery as it wasn’t around 20 years ago. So that leaves River Antoine Estate which produces Rivers Royal rum and Grenada Distillers who produce rums under the Clarkes Court brand.

There is of course also Westerhall Estate but they no longer distill any rum they merely blend imported caribbean rum. I suppose as this is 20 years old it could be from there?

The only further bit of information I have is the GMWE rum marque. To be honest the G in the marque makes me think this rum is likely to have come from Grenada Distillers. They are the biggest producer on the island and the style of rum they produce seems in keeping with this bottling. Trying not to pre-empt the review but my nose suggests this is a rum from Grenada Distillers.That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

This is one of 3 brand new releases from That Boutique-y Rum Company that I am to review over the next 3 days (as pictured).

Of course I could be wrong, it did happen once before……….

So lets see how That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada  goes down.

In the glass we have a golden brown liquid – a few shades darker than straw but not quite what I would call dark. This suggests some element of continental ageing.

The nose is light, sweet and very approachable. Notes of toffee, milk chocolate and some spicy ginger. Sweet fruits such as strawberries and peaches are also in the mix. Slightly syrupy but not overly sweet. It smells sweet but not sweetened…….

This is confirmed by the Hydrometer bobbing between 52-53% ABV.

Despite its overall quite light profile it is still quite complex. Nosing is a very pleasant experience. The higher ABV than I have experience before with output from Grenada Distillers gives the nose much more depth. There is also more oak and spice on the nose from the long ageing.

As a sipper it opens up with a spicy salvo of bourbon-esque notes and spicy ginger and oak. Vanilla and honey come through once the spicy introduction begins to lead you into the mid palate. The oak and spice remain giving a spicy char. You get a real taste of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes on the mid palate. Peanut and cashew nut really come through. It’s not as sweet and fruity as the nose but you still get some strawberry and vanilla ice cream. It’s really nicely balanced this rum.

That Boutique-y Rum Company Secret Distillery #4 Grenada

The finish on this is really nice as well. It fades out beautifully with some notes of black pepper and a spicy woody note which fades out slowly.

This is a rum which would be a good introduction to drinking something at a higher ABV. It is light but it isn’t as sweet or as straightforward as you might expect. It’s not got any “off notes” though or anything which might alienate someone feeling their way into Cask Strength offerings.

It also harks back to a simpler time as well. Many people do not realise, that historically column distilled rum in the Caribbean is just as popular (if not more so) than the heavier Pot Still rums and blends we focus more on nowadays.

Better than I was expecting a very tasty drop. I’ve also had it confirmed from a very reliable source (Boutique-y Pete) that is indeed from Grenada Distillers traditional two column set up.

 

 

 

 

 

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  • R L Seale’s 10 Year Old Barbados Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    R L Seale's 10 Year Old Barbados RumWhat’s that? Is usually the refrain I hear from my less rum orientated visitors (most people to be honest, unfortunately).  My reply is that it is a bottle of fine Bajan Rum is often met with a rather dismissive shake of the head.

    For those who aren’t aware R L Seale’s 10 Year Old Rum is produced by Richard Seale at the wonderful Foursquare Distillery in Barbados.  Richard is the great-grandson of Reginald Leon Seale who founded the company in 1926.

    Foursquare Distillery is one of the most interesting distilleries in the world.  Their Doorly’s 5 Year Old and XO apart (and mythically a 12-year-old Doorly’s as well) the presentation and branding of each rum is uniquely different.  The example presented here, the R L Seale’s 10 Year Old is based upon the old style leather flask pirates used to keep their kill-devil (rum) in.  You will note in the picture below the imprint for handling the rum!  It’s asymmetrical design is unique and whilst others have attempted to replicate such striking presentation (see Deadhead rum) few have carried it off with such aplomb.  Foursquare’s Spiced Rum is presented in an entirely different long rectangular bottle with candle wax as the sealant at the top of the bottle.

    Such meticulous attention to detail is reminiscent of many of the more recent Central American producers (think Dictador or La Hechicera).  However, such presentation is nothing new to Foursquare.  They have been presenting rum in such a way that it practically jumps of the shelf at you for years.

    Take for example the picture to our right the gold embossed badge is made of some kind of metal rather than the plastic you would expect.  Heck you even get sipping notes with your rum.  Whilst this may seem a little intrusive in reality it is little more than telling you exactly what to expect from this wonderful rum.R L Seale's 10 Year Old Barbados Rum

    In spite of the expense presenting the rum in such a way you can still pick up a bottle of R L Seale’s 10 Year Old for around £30-35 and it is bottled at 43% ABV, slightly higher than usual.

    In many ways reviewing this rum is a right of passage.  If you do not enjoy or at the very least appreciate the quality of this rum, then you really should consider if its worth continuing your rum journey.  I was fortunate early on in my rum testing’s to stumble across Cockspur Fine Rum.  A relatively cheap easy mixing rum also from Barbados.  It introduced me to the Bajan style of rum.  A light yet fruity and very classic style of rum.  A reference point for all that is good and pure in rum.  I challenge anyone to find a truly bad Bajan rum.  The worst I have found is Mount Gay Eclipse which is average but still far better than some of the rubbish being pedalled as rum.

    The only issue I had with R L Seale’s was when I came to re-open the bottle.  The cork broke and parts went into the rum.  Luckily I was able to rectify the situation and remove the pieces of cork.  Unfortunately due to the unique nature of the bottle finding a replacement cork from my empty bottle proved extremely difficult.  In the end I had to settle for jamming a Pusser’s cork half way in which gives the rum an even more unique (and slightly ridiculous) appearance.

    So on with the rum.  Despite my mishap with the cork, the rum still exhibits that classic fruity, floral and light bajan note when opened.  When poured into the glass the rum initially strikes you as being very light almost straw like.  It does exhibit a kind of whisky like appearance.

    R L Seale's 10 Year Old Barbados Rum

    However it is more the contrast of the foreboding black bottle which tricks you a little.  The rum is light but not that light.

    The nose is classically Bajan, not as sweet as Rum Sixty Six or Doorly’s XO perhaps slightly less fruity.  There are notes of chocolate and coffee in the mix along with light vanilla and fruits such as banana and nectarines.  All round its well-balanced and suggest complexity when sipped.

    At this stage it is worth noting that the rum in Foursquare’s considerable arsenal is not merely a more aged expression of the younger sibling (Doorly’s and Doorly’s XO aside).  For those expecting a more aged version of Doorly’s you may find yourself a tiny little bit disappointed (I doubt that will last long).  This rum is very different to the fruity Oloroso Sherry Cask influenced blend found in Doorly’s XO.

    The rum is quite dry and pretty spicy.  Do not confuse the hints of black pepper, ginger and chilli with a rough rum.  The rum is still smooth and very sippable.  It just happens to be dry and spicy rather than rich and fruity.  That is not to say no fruit flavours are present.  It still has banana and traces of peach/nectarines in the mouth along with hints of cocoa and dark chocolate.  The mouthfeel is a little like a whisky.  This is a complex sipping rum which has a smooth long-lasting if slightly spicy finish.  It leaves notes of oak, nuts and smokiness behind in the finish which is long and pleasant.  If you can hold out before having another sip……

    As with the Doorly’s XO (which is brilliant as a mixer as well) and Rum Sixty Six this represents Bajan rum production at its very best.  Crisp, clean, slightly dry, well aged and blended. Classic rum produced by someone with a genuine love of rum.

    There will be no cola added to this rum!

    R L Seale’s Gets my Vote!

    4 stars

     

     

     

    This rum is available from

    THEDRINKSHOP

     

  • Dead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Dead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit Rum Review by the fat rum pirateDead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit. Had I not included “rum” in the title you might have thought I was about to review some kind of low budget/straight to Netflix horror/slasher movie. You can rest easy in that respect. I’m definitely not heading down that route. That said The “Real” Black Pit was indeed a bit of a horror story for anyone who became familiar with it.

    Let me explain (via Justin from Dead Reckoning Rum)

    “The Black Pit was the nickname given to a perilous area in the mid-Atlantic gap during the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII. It was here that German U-Boats would take the upper hand with the absence of protective air cover, making Allied convoys an easy target.”

    So there you go I will say at this point that the liquid in this particular bottling is indeed “The Black Pit” in terms of colour, so that coupled with Justin’s maritime past and interest is how the name evolved. As with all Dead Reckoning releases I have quite a bit of information about this release so here we go…..

    Dead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit is a Single Blended Rum (Rums blended from the same distillery) from the Diamond Distillery or Demerara Distillers Limited in Guyana. It is a blend from the distillery’s 3 “Wooden” Heritage Stills. So we have a distillate from the

    EHP – Edward Henry Porter – A marque of rum taken from the Wooden Continuous Coffey Still. This still was originally housed at the Enmore Distillery.

    <VSG>  Versailles-Schoonord-Goed Fortuin – A marque of rum taken from the Single Wooden Pot Still. This still was originally housed at the Versailles Distillery.

    PM Port Mourant – A marque of rum taken from the Double Wooden Pot Still. This still was originally housed at the Port Mourant Distillery. Rum from this still is often referred to as “Uitvlugt” on Independent bottlings.

    This rums components have enjoyed 5 years ageing in Guyana in ex-bourbon casks. Before being further aged in the Adelaide in both a South Australian Muscat cask (from Woodstock Winery) and ex-Makers Mark bourbon cask for a further 2 and a half years.Dead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    Dead Reckoning The Black Pit was bottled at 50% ABV and originally released in Australia in a limited run of just 180 bottles. This run sold out almost immediately.
    Fortunately, there is going to be an even more limited release of this bottling in the UK very soon…….

    In the glass Dead Reckoning The Black Pit is a dark brown with a slight red/orange hue around the edges. I’ve found that most Independently bottled Demerara that come from the the Enmore and particularly the Versailles still, tend to be quite dark. In comparison the Port Mourant bottlings I have had, more often than not labelled as Uitvlugt, tend to be much lighter.

    The nose is initially quite sweet with notes of raisins and plums. Reminiscent of Wood’s Old Navy Rum or the El Dorado range. Classically Demerara some might say. Further nosing reveals some orange/marmalade notes and something which reminds me of Christmas Cake.

    This is all overlayed by a smokiness and a almost malt whisky like note. These are notes which I would associate with the Port Mourant still. The familiar aniseed/liquorice note is also quite prominent in the mix. The nose is complex and very inviting. It’s very good and I am being reminded heavily of this classic old style Velier Demerara bottlings. This bodes extremely well for the tasting……….

    On the initial sip you get those traditional Demerara flavours – raisin, sticky toffee pudding, liquorice and some stoned fruits – plums and dates. Then the Port Mourant and Enmore influence comes in. Giving some smoky almost “old” musty notes and a wonderful hit of aniseed. These remind me of Aniseed Balls (English Boiled Sweets) rather than the sweeter hit liquorice.

    The Muscat cask seems to have brought some sweetness to the fore and as we move into the mid palate I am getting some sweet Dark Chocolate notes, a little caramel alongside a nice hit of marmalade. This all marries alongside some slightly tarry notes and a nice hit of vanilla and oak spice. There is a slight bitterness but it is not at all unpleasant or out of place.

    This is a very complex, rich (almost treacly at times) and very enjoyable rum. The only thing that could let it down now would be the finish…………

    Which really doesn’t disappoint. It is long and wraps up everything we have experienced so far into a very long and complex finish.Dead Reckoning Rum The Black Pit Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    This is definitely up there with some of the best Demerara rums I have reviewed. Take my old reviews of the El Dorado range with a pinch of salt – I probably wouldn’t rate those rums so highly now. Instead for comparison focus on my reviews of past Velier bottlings and other Independently bottled Demerara.

    A comparison with those old Velier Demerara bottlings may seem a little like hyperbole. So I won’t say that.

    I’ll just give it 5 stars instead. It really is that good!

  • Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel review by the fat rum pirateBerry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel. Another collaboration, between one of London’s finest independent bottlers and one of Scotland’s finest rum and whisky retailers.

    This time have a departure from Hampden Estate as we set sail for Guyana. The rum in question is a 26 Year Old rum which was distilled back in 1991 at the old Uitvlugt distillery, on their famous Port Mourant Still. As I understand the distillery closed circa 2000 and the stills were moved to the Diamond Distillery/Demerara Distillers Limited.

    Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel is a single cask offering. Cask #38. Bottled at Cask Strength of 55.3% ABV. As a result only 227 bottles of this rum are available. A 70cl bottle – I make a note of this as some indie bottlers are using 50cl bottles will set you back £169.96. I have seen much more expensive Demerara’s on the market some bottled at lower proof as well.  I’m looking at you Samaroli. Rarely have I seen a rum of this age and strength much cheaper than this offering. It is priced fairly in my opinion.

    That aside it is likely that most of the rums time will have been spent in Europe so it is continentally aged. The colour of this rum backs up this theory, as you will learn when I begin the tasting.

    Presentation wise, we get the tall Berrys’ bottle with a synthetic cork enclosure. The look is stylish and you get the vital information you want on the bottle rather than fairy Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel review by the fat rum piratetales.

    Which in the absence of anything else of interest to note….I may as well begin now.

    In the glass we have a light brown coloured liquid. Golden rum colour if you like though slightly dull.

    The nose is classic unadulterated Port Mourant – licorice and aniseed combine with a savoury almost beef gravy like note wafting over the rum. An almost whisky like malty/savoury note. Further sips reveal sweet sugar cane and caramel molasses.

    There is a nice integration of oak spices and vanilla. Spicy ginger a touch of fennel and some nice fruity raisins show themselves the more you nose.

    Sipping the rum you get a spicy spirit on the palate initially. It’s quite a dry rum – it is not at all sweet at first. Bitter notes of woody oak and some very strong breakfast tea.

    The mid palate evolves and more of the licorice and aniseed comes into the mix. An almost sulphur like note is present throughout. This is definitely a rum for someone who prefers a drier, perhaps almost whisky like rum. Some sweetness does evolve on the mid palate in the form of vanilla and light toffee. A touch of sandalwood gives the rum a little twist as well.

    The rum is very drinkable at the full 55% ABV. It is a good example of a 20 year plus Port Mourant. It would have been very easy for this to be over oaked. The time in the cask clearly has made its mark on the rum but it has been bottled, I feel at about the right time. On first tasting it may seem a little too dry and oaky but it really does open up on the second and third tasting.Berry Bros & Rudd 26 Year Old Uitvlugt Rum Exclusive to the Whisky Barrel review by the fat rum pirate

    This is a rum, I enjoyed more once I got to my second and third tasting. Finish wise it is very long and it has a really pleasant and complex array of spices tingling on your tongue for a long time after sipping.

    My personal preference for a slighty sweeter spirit should be noted but I will also say that I feel this is a really good example, of continentally aged unadulterated Port Mourant rum. It is also from an era whereby we won’t see too many new bottlings come up for sale.

    A little bit of liquid history.

     

     

  • Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum – Release #1

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum - Release #1Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum – Release #1. This is the first aged rum release from Scotland’s Ninefold Rum Distillery. It follows on from last years unaged  release of Pot Still Pure Single Rum.

    The distillery is situated in the South of Scotland at Dormont Home Farm, near Dalton in Dumfries and Galloway. The distillery is house in a converted stone farm building. Their rums are produced on a Scottish made Copper Pot Still. Should you wish to learn more about Ninefold Distillery then their website is a good start. I also interviewed Kit Carruthers Head Distiller/Owner here.

    So, lets move on and see exactly what the make up of this rum is. First up the rum is a blend of the four “experimental” rums produced at the distillery in 2019. There are 4 barrels of this rum available and this is barrel #1. I am assuming the remaining barrels will be aged for longer periods and released at a later date. Quite an easy assumption to make I would think, unless Dr Carruthers has a time machine…….I wouldn’t put it past him.

    The rum is produced from imported molasses and distilled in small batches on a purpose built Copper Pot Still. This release has been aged for 12 months in a Virgin American Small White Oak Barrel. A fresh bourbon barrel if you want to think of it that way.

    There were 246 70cl bottles of Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum – Release #1 available upon release. The rum has been individually bottled and hand signed by Kit. I have bottle number 78 as this was the year of my birth (and 13 had already been sold).

    It has been bottled at Cask Strength so comes in at a hefty 59.6% ABV. It is available direct from Ninefold and retails at £45.

    Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum - Release #1 Rum review by the fat rum piratePresentation wise Ninefold have a very strong branding throughout their website and bottlings. Once again they have produced a very premium and very modern looking product. To be honest if I ever do a bottling I’ll be asking Kit who his graphic designer is, as I think the presentation is top notch. I love the 3/4 sized bottle and the chunky wooden topped synthetic cork stopper gives a very satisfying “pop” when opened.

    Which is exactly what I have just done.

    I’m not one for directing people to music videos (I find it a bit pretentious) but if you click on the following link and go to around 00:50 you will get my general impression of the nose on this…….

    Thick, indulgent, treacly, sweet, golden, syrupy goodness. Caramac bars, you might have to look those up (and probably everything that is about to follow), Highland Toffee, Tunnocks Caramel Wafers, Red Kola, Macaroni Pie, Haggis, Neeps, Tatties, Kilts, Russ Abbot Wigs (okay I may be making a few of those up)

    Seriously though the nose on this is a full on molasses assault. A bit of time in the glass to breathe is needed to see if anything else comes through on the nose. Which it does some super glue and pencil shavings kick in. Black Pepper and some menthol cough sweets. It’s medicinal with a nice back drop of some oak and freshly chopped wood.

    It’s fiery, boozy and menacing – the molasses notes are dark and rich. Thick and gloopy.

    Sipped at the full 59.6% ABV it is hot. Boozy and full of flavour. The woody notes of oak are warm and very intense. Lots of wood, ginger and fiery chilli pepper heat. It takes a glass or two to get used to this wee beastie.

    It’s worth sitting with though and giving time. Once your senses have recovered (and maybe you’ve added a drop or two of water) the rum really opens up.

    The initial entry is sweet with all the molasses notes promised on the nose. The mid palate is full of spicy green jalapeno’s and rich warming oak spice. The absence of vanilla is probably due to the Virgin Oak – I’d be keen to try this in an ex-bourbon barrel as it might give it a slightly softer, more approachable aura.

    That said I’m enjoying this. It’s finish is quite savoury with yet more spice and a slightly malty note. It’s long and it becomes very “minty” with lots of menthol and cough mixture like elements kicking in.

    Ninefold Distillery Barrel Aged Pure Single Rum - Release #1 Rum review by the fat rum pirateIn many ways this rum is a bit of a a funny one. It’s big, bold and brash but at the same time has a sweetness and a “more-ish” factor to it which really draws you in.

    Beyond sipping I think this will also work really well in any cocktail that demands a bit of “oomph”. Both in terms of ABV and full on flavour this really delivers. I dare say this would work well in a Mai Tai or as a very boozy Daiquiri. My signature serve a Rum and Coke has went down very nicely and I dare say this is very definitely fally down juice……..

    Hoots Mon! There’s joose, loose aboot Kit’s hoose………….

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rum of the Year 2017

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Rum of the Year 2017 by the fat rum pirateRum of the Year 2017. It’s that time again when I look over the rums I have tried in the past 12 months and decide which one fits the bill as Rum of the Year.

    Now I’ll let you all know the criteria for this years selection has changed – slightly. This is basically because the Rum World is evolving and changing. Producers are taking more risks and producing more varied and interesting rums.

    2017 was the year seemingly of the “Limited Edition” releases. In 2015 and 2016, although I did give the Rum of the Year to “Limited Edition” rums, both were still widely commercially available at the time of the award. This year the truly great rums I have discovered have in the main disappeared from view.

    2016 perhaps saw one of the first real scrambles for a rum release. I don’t recall there ever being a case of demand outstripping supply, quite so much as was the case with the Velier/Foursquare 2006 release. Demand for Velier bottlings has increased greatly since their last Demerara’s in 2014. I recall early on in my Rum Journey, 2012-14 seeing a good few Velier releases, at the likes of the Whisky Exchange remain on the site for months. Now they would likely be gone within a day.

    We have seen over the past couple of years more producers release Limited Edition rums. Often with “finishes” or “maturation” in casks other than ex-Bourbon – Sherry, Marsala, Cognac etc. Whilst Foursquare Distillery might be the first producer to spring to mind with their Port and Zinfandel Cask rums it is worth noting that it was Plantation who perhaps began to make this kind of thing “trendy”. I don’t think there is a “finish” or “maturation” Plantation haven’t tried.

    Other producers such as Don Q and Worthy Park are also getting in on the act. Unfortunately, their efforts have come to close to the year end for me to review. I could have got some Worthy Park imported from France. Alas I do not have a bottomless pit of money.

    We have also seen the beginning of Cask Strength releases and higher ABV rums (above the standard 40-43% ABV) from the likes of Mount Gay, Plantation, Worthy Park, St Lucia Distillers and Foursquare (again). Independent bottlers have popped up left, right and centre with even more limited releases, Single Casks with runs of just a few hundred.

    In terms of genuinely exciting releases most have come from the producers already mentioned. They have stood out for the reasons stated above. A real stand out “new” commercially available rum for 2017 just hasn’t come my way. I’m scratching my head to think of one. I’ve tried a lot of really great rum in 2017. Unfortunately, a lot of it has been Independent bottlings. St Lucia Distillers released (in the UK) Plantation Rum Single Cask Barbados 12 Years - Wild Cherry Finisha couple of 1931’s. I’ve yet to review the 6th edition. Both were excellent rums but not quite as good as my final choice. Neptune was a nice addition to the rum scene but at the end of the day its a 3 year old Foursquare rum. It’s very good but its not a game changer for me.

    So unfortunately I am afraid I have had to tweak my selection process slightly this year. You likely won’t be able to go out and buy this particular rum after reading this. If you do find any bottles lying around in liquor stores – buy all they have would be my advice.

    So how has the rum been decided upon? Well it’s a Limited Edition rum. As much as I was amazed by the Duncan Taylor Long Pond 2000. I just don’t think it is much use to give a Rum of the Year award to a single cask which yielded only 270 bottles. Going forward it is highly likely I will increase the number of awards next year. I’ve been looking at Serge over at WhiskyFun and I quite like his way of doing things so maybe something like that. I would like to give a few more producers some credit as they are doing some great stuff.

    The rum I have selected was a Limited Edition. I am not sure how many bottles exactly were released. I think it was around 4000. Available only in Europe and the US. It was matured in ex-bourbon and Madeira casks for 10 years. A blended rum of Pot and Column distillates. Released at an eye watering Cask Strength of 59% ABV.

    For the third year running a Tropically Aged rum from the Exceptional Cask Selection Series, takes the crown as Rum of the Year.

    Foursquare Rum Distillery’s Criterion. Another jewel in the crown. Few producers would get away with calling their rums “Exceptional” but this distillery does just that!

    Yes, I hear you cry “Triptych”. It was definitely in the running but personally I preferred this one. I’m aware of there is a real split over the two rums. Personally I preferred the slightly sweeter, less woody profile of the Criterion. If you picked Triptych though that is a very good choice.

    Foursquare Rum Distillery Criterion Rum Review by the fat rum pirateI hope my choice is relevant. I personally cannot see the point of re-hashing lists of rums you tried years ago and re-scoring or re-reviewing for the purpose of an award. The idea of giving Mount Gay XO, El Dorado 12 Year Old or Havana Club 15 a rum of the year in today’s rum world just seems pointless. Out of touch and irrelevant.

    Anyway, a very Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you all for taking time to read the site over the past year. It has been a truly “exceptional” year for us here at thefatrumpirate.com. Please contact us if you have any ideas or questions, for or about the site.

    Thanks also to all the Rum Producers for, well producing the rum in the first place! Kudos to all those involved in the Industry who have helped me over the past year. Giving me information on your rums, access to your events and just general help and support.

    And a final wave to all those people who I have met over the past year both online and at the various Rum Festivals and events I have attended. I hope your Rum Journey continues with us.

  • Stroh 80 Austria Inlander Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Stroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum pirateStroh 80 Austria Inlander Rum. The Spirit of Austria. Stroh is a brand of “rum” that you will likely come across quite frequently, being sold at most shops online.

    Despite the fact, I do not know a single person who drinks or enjoys it. Stroh sits at the lower to mid-priced end of the market. It is an historic brand which has been available since 1857.

    Stroh has had a bit of mixed identity over the years and the term “Inlander Rum” (Domestic Rum) has had it’s meaning changed by recent EU Legislation.

    Domestic Rum, as can be found here with Maraska Room is essentially “fake” rum. As you can see from the review and the pictures of the bottle Maraska can no longer legally call such a spirit rum. It is a neutral spirit with added flavourings or essence – usually vanilla and butterscotch.

    This is what Stroh originally was, with added flavours and spices. There are conflicting stories as well as to whether Stroh also contained a small percentage of “real” rum, from overseas. Now I understand that the base of Stroh is authentic rum produced in Austria from Sugar Cane molasses

    Stroh is available in varying strengths, this is the highest ABV version and the most well known. In the US, due to them not using metric measurements you will see Stroh 160 which is proof rather than ABV.

    Stroh comes in a 50cl stubby hip flask style bottle. The bottle is understood to represent those used by hunters during Austria winter in years gone by. A bottle of Stroh 80 will set you back around £30.

    In the glass we have a very strange coloured spirit. It’s a very strange looking red colour with black flashes (I’m not quite sure how it manages this). On the nose I am met with a plethora of aromas.

    All of which are pretty confected and pretty fake. Toffee, Caramel, Vanilla, Butterscotch (Werthers Originals) and some strange notes, which I can best describe as a mixture of Jägermeister and Licor de Herbias from Mallorca. Both of which I detest.

    Add into this cacophony, a huge waft of sweet sugar and sickly sweet honey notes. It is in all fairness, absolutely rancid and completely fake. Stroh 80 is used quite a lot in baking and I can certainly see why that is the case. This is very, very essence heavy.Stroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    Sipped all you get is a massive amount of heat and some burning notes of sugar and burnt caramel. It has a slightly herbal off note to it, on top off all the sweet sugary notes. Which make it slightly bitter and even more unforgiving.

    This is definitely not a sipper by anyones definition. Probably the type of thing Austria teenagers might “shot” down to get drunk.

    Despite the high ABV, the length of this spirit is very short. You aren’t left with any kind of finish as such, just a mouthful of sickly sweet essence flavours. The burn of alcohol etc, disappears almost instantly on the sip. I’ve no idea where the actual rum has gone in this spirit. It may as well be made with cats piss.

    Stroh is available in various strengths so maybe watering this down might help a bit. Does it? Not really, it just makes the experience a bit sicklier if anything whilst adding nothing of any merit.

    It’s the kind of dreadful novelty nonsense that will appeal to people wanting to seem “hard” drinking high ABV spirits but who have no knowledge of Cask Strength or barrel aged spirits.

    There isn’t a great deal of point being awful about Stroh as unlike a lot of the rubbish out there in the rum market they don’t seem to set their offerings up as anything sophisticated. They know it is used a lot in cookery and are happy with that. I will however still give Stroh a go as a mixer.

    I’m quite surprised to find such a high ABV spirit mixes so easily into a rum and coke. Any heat or boozy notes from the ABV seem to disappear. All I am getting on the nose, is the fake toffeStroh 80 Spirit of Austria Rum Review by the fat rum piratee and butterscotch. It just all smells very sweet an innocent. In terms of flavour, it reminds me of Czech Domaci Rum and Old Monk (I would say Old Monk is a lot better overall though). It’s not rum and it doesn’t really pretend to be. It’s kind of happy in it old little weird place in the world.

    I can’t really be too harsh about Stroh but at the same time I can’t think of a single good thing to say about it.

    I suppose the very short finish of it and next to no mid-palate is a blessing. In all fairness, when you visit their website even they recognise it is used primarily in baking. They aren’t bullshitting anyone.

    As a rum it’s a load of bollocks but as a curiosity it has a little bit of charm I suppose.

    Please though don’t make me drink it again!