Ron Pelicano, Jamaican Rum, 40%

I was Lidl shopping for the Sunday lunch & as usual checked out the spirit shelves.

A couple of colourful new rums greeted me!

Both labelled up as Ron Pelicano the blue one hailed from Barbados while the yellow is Jamaican.

I couldn’t resist!

The Jamaican bottle sports the coordinates for Jamaica – along with some information about the island itself plus an outline on the logo – but nothing about the rum inside.

An internet search for Ron Pelicano revealed they have a collection of 6 rums from varying countries & islands all bearing a similar style – just different primary colours.

I must admit to finding them visually attractive & would like to try all 6 – if only to discern the taste difference between each region’s rums.

As it is I’ll start with Jamaica – I’m expecting some fruity funkiness – so what did I find?

Well I don’t know if the vivid yellow bottle is influencing me but I’m getting over-ripe sweet banana of this one – along with a serious dollop of funk too!

The funk follows through with a pleasing mouthfeel replete with juicy fruitiness, a touch of lingering spice & a satisfyingly long finish.

Nice introduction to this latest line of rums from Lidl!

While digging out some background information on this brand I discovered it’s sold in Germany as Ron Bengalo!

& weirder still a thief in Devon made off with a few bottles.

Article from Devon Live Court Reports

I just hope the Venezuelan tasted as good as this Jamaican!

Sláinte

Ron Pelicano webpage here.

Ron Bengalo Lidl page here.

All photos authors own.

Advertisement

Coop Smooth White Caribbean Rum, 37.5%

I do love trying out these entry level own brand offerings.

There’s no pretence, airs & graces or big price tag.

Smooth Rum c/othewhiskeynut

Just plain & simple no nonsense spirit.

There’s a smidgen of information with this one.

Info c/othewhiskeynut

Blended in the Netherlands using Caribbean Rum & bottled in the UK for the Co-op.

A fairly soft & subtle nose with a faint kiss of funk.

Nice mouthfeel.

Growing heat on the finish with a soupçon of spice to keep it entertaining.

A pleasant easy drinker.

Sláinte

Asda, Superior White Rum, 37.5%

It’s funny how much the world has changed.

Instead of physically going down to the shops & picking our whiskey off the shelves – it’s computer clicks & courier calls.

That’s why I got excited about Aldi’s Púca Whiskey.

Not in Athlone! c/oAldi

Alas there was no show in my local store!

Usually I’d turn the quest to find a bottle into a blockbuster of The Hunt For Red October proportions – RIP Sean Connery – but due to COVID restrictions – travel beyond 5km was out.

Sean drinking whiskey. c/oSuntory

So on to Plan B.

Supermarket Rum.

Asda Superior White Rum c/othewhiskeynut

Purchased traveling South through the North during the heady days of summer when we were free to roam around the Emerald Isle.

A relatively plain & simple yet pleasing bottle.

A very attractive price – £11 – yet on tasting – superb!

This is everything I expect from a white rum.

Pleasing aromas of sweet funk on the nose.

A deliciously oily mouthfeel that coats the palate with sweet, heavy funky fruit.

All wrapped up with a characterful prickly peppery spice.

Tried it, Loved it! c/othewhiskeynut

The Púca may have alluded me – but Asda’s White Rum is seriously pukka!

Sláinte