Irish Whiskey is often triple distilled, but this triple tasting includes rum distilled at the Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee.
I’d already purchased their Smugglers Reserve Overproof – read about it here – & found it a lively powerfully funky rum.
Their Smugglers Reserve Bordeaux Cru Rum at 42% won out over a couple of other Irish Rums also due to the funk – blog here.
So will the standard Smugglers Reserve at 40% hold up to scrutiny?
Well the nose certainly promised it would!
That sweet fruity funk lured me in. An engaging oily mouthfeel enveloped the senses delivering that rich funkiness & prickly enticing spice on the finish.
Lovely stuff.
The last remnants of my Grand Cru sample continued to delight. If anything – it delivered a more mellowed & cultured mouthfeel. Perhaps some would find this more appealing – but the straight forward bold flavours of the original still won me over.
The Overproof meanwhile managed to excite!
A powerful explosion of funky flavour, high ABV & an intense drinking experience is something to behold.
I must say I was mightily impressed by all 3!
That fruity funk signature note I love presents itself clearly in all variants making it hard to choose a favourite.
For ease of delivery, richness of flavour & overall accessibility & affordability however – I’m giving it to Smugglers Reserve, 40%.
Who got the funk?
Copeland Rum’s got the funk!
Sláinte
For clarity, Overproof was purchased in Donaghadee, Grand Cru was sample swapped & Original was kindly donated by Copeland Distillery.
Copeland Distillery website here.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 