Category: Rum

Spirits distilled from Sugar byproducts

Kill Devil 2001 15-Year Diamond

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Diamond, Guyana, RumLeave a comment

Kill Devil 2001 15 Diamond

Price: $105 for 700ml

Distilled/Owned by: Diamond / Hunter Laing

Region: Guyana

61% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 15 years, distilled 2001

Cask Type: Undisclosed

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: No

Color: Mahogany

Drank: Neat, in a glenciarn

Nose: Leathery pepper, grilled banana, tropical fruit, brown sugar, grilling rub

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, dry

Palate/Taste: Leather, pepper, oak, chili, green pepper, molasses, toasted mango

Finish: Dry and warm, long finish. Earthy with a bit of tar. Oak, pepper, peach, and mango

Thoughts: This is one of the most unique rums I have tried and the flavors really go all over the place without feeling disjointed or random. A big contrast with how spicy it is compared to the sweet El Dorados that are more readily available.

Score: 81 out of 100

Kill Devil 2007 Hampden 10-Year

On By MajorHopIn 65-69, Hampden, JamaicaLeave a comment

Kill Devil 2007 Hampden 10

Price: $70 for 700ml

Distilled/Owned by: Hampden / Hunter Laing

Region: Jamaica

64.1% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 10 years, distilled 2007

Cask Type: Undisclosed

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: No

Color: Pale gold

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Rubbery funk, nail polish, sour floral notes, rotten fruit

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and oily, then becomes dry

Palate/Taste: Honey, varnish, gasoline, grapefruit, vanilla, oak, pepper, and leather

Finish: Long and hot, honey, bitter, mango, pepper, and oak

Thoughts: I keep hearing a lot a praise for Hampden’s funk, but after trying this I don’t think it’s a profile I enjoy.

Score: 65 out of 100

Privateer Navy Yard

On By MajorHopIn Privateer, Rum, U.S.A.Leave a comment

Privateer Navy Yard

Price: $60 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Privateer Rum

Region: Massachusetts

55% ABV

Distillate: Grade A Fancy Molasses

Aged For: Minimum 2 years

Cask Type: New charred American oak, char level 3

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: No

Color: Auburn

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Marzipan and coconut, oak, vanilla, and a bit of fruit

Mouthfeel: Full bodied

Palate/Taste: Dry and oaky, tangy, pencil shavings, tart fruit, pepper, and vanilla

Finish: Warm and medium length, Vanilla with a sort of sweet brown sugar tangy flavor that goes back and forth between sweet and savory

Thoughts: For a relatively young spirit this has a good flavor, and is well made. I tend to like a lot of cask influence in my spirits so this says something. However, what could make this go from good to great is additional aging.

Score: 80 out of 100

Plantation Trinidad 2003

On By MajorHopIn 75-79, Rum, Sourced, TrinidadLeave a comment

Plantation Trinidad 2003

Price: $40 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Sourced / Maison Ferrand

Region: Trinidad / France

42% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 12 Years

Cask Type: 8 Years in ex-bourbon, 4 in ferrand cognacs casks

Chill Filtered: Yes

Additives used: Yes

Color: Amber

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Bright, floral, citrus, tropical fruit, mango, light oak

Mouthfeel: Light bodied

Palate/Taste: Citrus, floral, light molasses, pear, honey, and peaches

Finish: Light warmth and shorter in length, honey and coconut with citrus, almonds, and floral notes

Thoughts: Very light and floral. The flavors are decent, but the finish is weak and you can tell it’s been sweetened.

Score: 77 out of 100

Don Q 2005

On By MajorHopIn 75-79, Destilería Serrallés, Puerto Rico, RumLeave a comment

Don Q 2005

Price: $45 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Destilería Serrallés

Region: Puerto Rico

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 10 Years

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon

Chill Filtered: Undisclosed

Additives used: No

Color: Golden

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Bright and has a pop of sugar, fruit, caramel, and oak, strong for the proof, but sweet.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied

Palate/Taste: Grilled banana, coconut, pineapple, burnt sugar, and vanilla

Finish: Light warmth and medium length, Mineral spirits, oak, and vanilla

Thoughts: I prefer this to many of the other Puerto Rican rums I have tried, but for the price it doesn’t beat out Mount Gay Black.

Score: 77 out of 100

El Pasador de oro XO

On By MajorHopIn 75-79, Blend, Guatemala, Rum, SourcedLeave a comment

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-1-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Price: $35 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Blend of rums

Region: Guatemala

40% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: NAS

Cask Type: Undisclosed, finished in cognac casks in France

Chill Filtered: Unknown

Additives used: Unknown, likely

Color: Mahogany

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Molasses, spiced fruit punch, coconut, citrus, banana, oak, caramel, vanilla

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, slightly syrupy

Palate/Taste: Very sweet, brown sugar, oranges, banana, caramel, and cola

Finish: Short with little warmth, subtle fruit and vanilla with a sugary simple syrup taste

Thoughts: It’s another “Ron” rum, sweet and similar to the likes of Diplomatico and El Dorado. It’s worth checking out for the price if you are a fan of those rums.

Score: 78 out of 100

Nicaraguan NMC Single Barrel 17-Year 1999, The Exclusive Rums

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

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-1-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Price: $110 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: “Volcano Distillery” / The Exclusive Rums

Region: Nicaragua

57.4% ABV

Distillate: Molasses

Aged For: 17 years (Distilled 1999)

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon

Chill Filtered: No

Additives used: None

Cask #: 25

Color: Chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Sharp on the nostrils, molasses, grilled pineapple, papaya, oak, earth, and coriander

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied

Palate/Taste: Earthy funk, oak, vanilla, baking spice, herbal, caramel, hay, and coffee

Finish: Medium warmth and length, vanilla, molasses, mint, herbs, and coffee

Thoughts: A very earthy rum with just a small amount of funk

Score: 80 out of 100