Category: Rum

Spirits distilled from Sugar byproducts

Review: Zaya 16

On By MajorHopIn 70-74, Rum, Trinidad, Trinidad DistillersLeave a comment

Price: $30 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Trinidad Distillers LTD/ Diageo

Region: Trinidad and Tobago

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: Solera System, up to 16 Years

Cask Type: Oak

Chill Filtered: Yes

Additives used: Yes

Color: Mahogany

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla, molasses, caramel, solvent, oak, cola syrup

Mouthfeel: Light, slightly syrupy

Palate/Taste: Dosed, heavy vanilla, molasses, and cocoa notes. Brown spleda like sugar, maple

Finish: Light to medium warmth, medium length, caramel, vanilla, molasses, and sugar

Thoughts: The finish was surprisingly warm and long considering what this is as a heavily sweetened rum. Overall it’s in the same boat as Zacapa and other “rons”

Score: 74 out of 100

Review: Hamilton Navy Strength

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Blend, Guyana, Jamaica, RumLeave a comment

Price: $25 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: 60% Demerara Distillers & 40% Worthy Park / Caribbean Spirits Inc.

Region: Guyana & Jamaica

57% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: NAS

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: Undisclosed

Color: Auburn

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Banana, custard, walnuts, molasses, coconut, oak, and some sharp spices

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied

Palate/Taste: Chocolate, oak, tobacco, smoke, banana, light funk, pepper, and dried fruits

Finish: Long and very warm, kiwi, oak, lime, oak, pepper, smoke, leather, and tobacco

Thoughts: If you like your rum strong, a little rough around the edges with hints of funk and a blast of flavor this is a must try at the price point.

Score: 80 out of 100

Review: Foursquare Premise

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Barbados, Foursquare, RumLeave a comment

Price: $50 for 750

Distilled/Owned by: Foursqaure

Region: Barbados

46% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 10 Years

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon and Ex-sherry

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: None

Color: Chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Caramel, almond, molasses, milk chocolate, nutty sherry, vanilla, coconut, mango, and banana

Mouthfeel: Medium body

Palate/Taste: Sherry, molasses, coconut, oranges, stone fruit, caramel latte, melon, brown sugar

Finish: Light warmth, shortish length, lots of brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, and baking spices

Thoughts: The sherry influence is there, but not overpowering. Pretty light and sweet. Finish is a bit weak but overall another good rum from Foursquare.

Score: 80 out of 100

Review: XXX One 2005 Foursquare

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Barbados, Foursquare, RumLeave a comment

Price: $68 for 700ml

Distilled/Owned by: Foursquare / r/rum bottling

Region: Barbados

63% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 12 Years

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: No

Color: Chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Pepper, cinnamon, oak, vanilla, rye, coconut shavings, molasses, clove, and leather

Mouthfeel: Full, spicy, dry

Palate/Taste: Vanilla, orange, oak, pepper, leather, tobacco, coconut, peach, mango, maple

Finish: Long and warm, vanilla, flan, cinnamon, chocolate, pineapple, oak, pepper, and more rye spices

Thoughts: It’s very similar to a high rye bourbon, but with more tropical fruit and coconut notes. This is high octane boozy rum, and I love it.

Score: 87 out of 100

Plantation XO 20th Anniversary

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Barbados, Rum, SourcedLeave a comment

Plantation XO 20th Anniversary

Price: $60 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Sourced / Pierre Ferrand

Region: Barbados

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: Blend of rums from 10 to 25 years

Cask Type:  New white oak, ex-bourbon, and Cognac casks

Chill Filtered: Undisclosed

Additives used: Yes

Color: Chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Molasses, oak, chocolate, toasted nuts, brown sugar, and vanilla

Mouthfeel:  Light bodied

Palate/Taste: Coconut, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, and fruit

Finish: Light warmth and length, Cola, cream, vanilla, caramel, and sugar

Thoughts: On its own it’s a decent sipping rum, but very sweet and not overly complex. I have noticed it pairs very well with cigars however.
Score: 80 out of 100

Review: Don Papa

On By MajorHopIn 45-49, PhillipinesLeave a comment

Price: $30 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Bleeding Heart Rum Company

Region: Phillipines

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: Up to 7 Years (No definitive age)

Cask Type: Oak Casks

Chill Filtered: Yes

Additives used: Yes

Color: Amber

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Birch beer, vanilla sweetener, orange cream sickle, sugar, and oak

Mouthfeel: Syrupy

Palate/Taste: Vanilla, flat root beer, cream soda, sweetener

Finish: Short and light warmth, cane sugar, syrup, and lollipops

Thoughts: This baby is loaded up with some type of nonsense and sweetened beyond belief. Pretty gross and is more of a liqueur than a rum.

Score: 45 out of 100

El Dorado 3 Year

On By MajorHopIn 70-74, Demerara Distillers, Guyana, RumLeave a comment

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Price: $15 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: El Dorado

Region: Guyana

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 3 years

Cask Type: Oak

Chill Filtered: Yes

Additives used: Yes

Color: Clear

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Coconut husks, sugar cane, molasses, grass, fresh and crisp

Mouthfeel:  Light bodied, but coating

Palate/Taste: Vanilla, coconut, grass, and sugar crystals

Finish: Light warmth, medium length, vanilla and cane sugar

Thoughts: A good mixing rum, but too simple to shine neat on it’s own.

 

Score: 74 out of 100