Presented with 6 sample bottles of rum.
No labels – no information – no back story.
Do you panic?
Or rub your hands in glee eager to experience the hidden delights within?
I chose the latter.
Arbitrarily split into ‘whites’ & ‘darks’ the notes in italics are my thoughts before the reveal.
Whites
A – Trois Rivieres De L’Ocean Cuvée, 42%, Martinique
Clear & colourless. Straight into funk! Rich & pungent. Guessing agricole.
This delicious rum displays fully the raw materials & distilling techniques of agricole style rhum to produce stunning spirits.
B – Glen’s White Rum, 37.5%, Scotland
Clear & colourless. Soft mild & sweet. Touch of spice. Pleasant. Decent.
Perhaps unfair to sample a fairly standard entry rum after an agricole – but Scotland’s growing rum category is certainly finding it’s stride.
C – The Hanson, Batch 1, Blended Grain, 46%, Ireland.
Pale yellow. Sweet & mild. Quite a sweet tooth resurrected by a lovely turn of spice. Enjoyable.
A wild card! Wasn’t expecting this summery light whiskey from JJ Corry here. Did enjoy that spicy finish!
Darks
D – Havana Anejo Especial, 40%, Cuba
Golden brown. Sugary sweet. Doesn’t really excite. OK. Spanish style. Demerara?
Well it wasn’t demerara – but it is Spanish style – and one of the biggest sellers too! Just lacked character.
E – Mount Gay XO Triple Cask, 43%, Barbados
Golden brown. Sweet & funky. Opens up on the rear with a touch of tannic spice & hints of funk. Aged. Easily drinkable.
A lovely sipping rum. Hats off to Mount Gay – founded 1703 & still going strong!
F – Appleton Estate, 12 Year Old Rare Blend, 43%, Jamaica
Golden brown. Full on funk, rubbery kind. Dark rum. Very easy palate with slight spice & soft funk on rear. Hints of Jamaica.
Well it wasn’t hints – this is full on Jamaica! Appleton continue to deliver the goods!
Thoughts
A thoroughly enjoyable tasting – with an unexpected whiskey that performed well – even if undetected – in the mix!
Before the reveal my palate preferences were;
A for tops.
E & F vied for joint second.
C came next.
Followed by B.
With D trailing behind.
Based on my findings – it’s pretty clear agricole is what I’ll be hunting down!
Sláinte
Many thanks to @bogstandarddram for the samples
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 