If there’s one thing this fabulous rum tasting confirmed to me – it’s the kind of rum I’m after.
Laid out before us were 5 excellent rums from independent bottlers Bristol Spirits,
Bristol Haiti 2004, 43%,
Bristol Nicaragua 1999, 43%,
Bristol Diamond Distillery, Guyana 2003, 43%,
Heytesbury Demerara, 46% &
Bristol Caroni VSOC, 10 Year Old, 40%.
Bristol’s managing director John Barrett eloquently led us through the tasting regaling us with tales of his years in the rum trade.
Such a congenial host!
But something struck me during the event – it was an exploration of wood maturation!
The length of time spent in the barrel, the type of wood used & even where the casks are stored all make a difference – and the results before us could be enjoyably discerned.
But my attraction to rum is more about the influence of distillation on the ingredients used – sugarcane juice or molasses.
So my pick of the day was Haiti 2004.
To begin with it uses sugarcane juice – which offers a far more pungent & vegetal experience.
It’s also been aged in well used ex- bourbon casks – so the wood influence was minimal.
Essentially what I’m after in a rum is something different to whiskey & the Haiti 2004 provided that.
Barley may need years in wood to shine, but sugarcane positively sparkles in it’s unaged form.
I think tonight’s tasting just confirmed that for me.
Sláinte
All bottle images courtesy Celtic Whiskey Shop – where the rums are available.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 