Rum

I don’t think I’m going to get to try mine tonight. Toddler doesn’t want to sleep

That plantation pineapple rum is seriously good.
5/7 recommend

Ok, I’m going to be a bit harsh about these recent ones, but here goes...

Clément
This has an immediate astringent bourbon taste and a slightly unpleasantly strong and long-lasting bright oak finish that lingers. It is very sour. I can’t say I like this straight. I would rather choose an actual bourbon like Haig Club over this if what I wanted to taste was bourbon. It’s a bit harsh, not relaxing.

Sixty Six white
Strong, clean taste of alcohol. Very close to a vodka and even as a mixer I’m not sure what this would add to the final drink. Could go in Coke but feels like it would be better suited to pineapple juice or pina colada. Would probably choose Bacardi over it.

Sixty Six 6 year
Immediate light bourbon taste with almondy overtones. No noticeable wood. Finish is quite bubblegummy, reminiscent of the forced oaking on a lot of oaked Chardonnay popular 10-15 years ago. I’d mix this with Coke, but I question what this rum does that Jack Daniels won’t do better. It’s not a clean tasting drink when straight.

Sixty Six 12 year
Smells much more like a dark rum ought to; deep and sweet with a bit of noticeable older barrel scent. That bubblegummy forced oaking taste is immediately present and lingers. It is not very sweet and the lightly burned caramel notes on the nose are not present in the taste like they are in a brandy. It feels like there is a sweet oak finish missing, but maybe it’s because I’m comparing this to a cognac because I feel like this rum has a slightly confused identity. By the end of the glass I’m not sure if I’m drinking rum or cheap supermarket brandy.

Damn, I ordered that 66 bundle last night wish I'd seen your tasting notes! Talking of bubblegummy have you ever tried Don Papa I can't imagine anything more putridly sweet..

Sixty Six white

Strong, clean taste of alcohol. Very close to a vodka and even as a mixer I’m not sure what this would add to the final drink. Could go in Coke but feels like it would be better suited to pineapple juice or pina colada. Would probably choose Bacardi over it.

I just opened this. It's pretty neutral, but I got a bit of fruit amongst the alcohol on the nose, and a bit of pepper on the tongue. Could be a lot livelier, but there's nothing bad about it.

Neutral is a good way to describe it. I need to have a better taste before I make my mind up on it. I think it’s going to be a mixer for me, but for the drinks where I want something better than vodka. I know I said I’d pick Bacardi over it, but actually for what it cost as part of the 3 bottles it’s pretty good value really.

I’m working backwards through them tonight, so 12 year - 6 year - white. It’s a different experience this way round.

12 year
Same dark rum nose. Bit more noticeable vanilla scent. I’m still getting lots of bourbon barrel but no bubblegummy forced oaking this time. It’s much more rummy and it’s not leaving me looking for any woody finish. Residual flavours on the tongue are old, damp barrel wood and a slight hint of something that reminds me of artificial sweetener. I’d quite like another one. That’s a good thing, right?

It’s much more enjoyable starting with this one. Interested to see what the 6 year tastes like now...

6 year
Ok, this is really interesting. Not getting any bourbon on the nose. Much brighter smelling. I’m getting a dry, fiery alcohol taste, slight bit of sour. There’s some sweet wood in the follow up and lingering alcohol in the mouth. Not getting any of the bourbon I didn’t enjoy before. I’ve really enjoyed it this time round.

I wonder if I’ve made a mistake by assuming I should treat rum like wine, i.e. start with the lighter ones and work up to the fuller-bodied ones.

Oh, you’ve u-turned! Just got mine... 12 year is very good neat and 6 year great with Coke. Haven’t had any white but I’d only use it for cocktails. I’m going in for another batch.. hic

Finally got round to opening the 12, drinking it neat, very good.

Got some El Dorado 12 and 15 in for Christmas. I thought it was Bajan all the way but these are so good. Especially when combined with Muppet Christmas Carol.

Woods Navy is £21 in Morrisons at the moment. 57 PERCENT!

Will get on it! Speaking of this, is Wray & Nephew ever reduced? Sainos seem to hold it stubbornly at £26

is Wray & Nephew ever reduced

Costco were doing it for £15 before Christmas, that’s the only time I’ve ever seen it reduced anywhere

Just found this thread..
After spending several days out at the Tour de Martinique as soigneur for our team a while back i really got into Rhum at breakfast and planteurs or punch coco in the evening. We were plied with gallons of strong coffee from sponsor La Tivolienne before stages so spent most of the time buzzing. I did bring back a bottle of Single cask Clément from 2001 although i probably should have gone for a Rhum JM Agricole, it seemed to be more cherished by the locals.

That’s a madness!

£20 in Waitrose this morning, bought a bottle for Christmas. Got to be worth a punt at that price.

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HC7 is (was) my go-to rum.
Probably the best supermarket bottle you can get.

Might have to take a trip to Waitrose.

I need a new rum to try. Normally get dead mans fingers or hc but interested to try something new or different

Bacardi Ocho is quite good

Had some Mersers at a pub the other night and enjoyed it (I was deep into the session though)

Made in London apparently?

I’m looking forward to opening this small batch release, from BIMshire’s top distillery

The latest expression was created by the distillery’s first female Master Blender, Trudiann Branker, and is her second release in the series. The Port Cask expression pushes the boundaries of rum-making by finishing the rum in tawny port casks. This is the first time that tawny port casks have been used in Mount Gay’s history.

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I got given this yesterday, I think it’s a rebrand but it looks the part, I’ll report back once we’ve sampled it

Edit update - a good simple rum, very smooth buttery vanilla with a hint of spice but not overpowering. Decent.

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We have been enjoying this, since Christmas. No mixer, just a couple of ice cubes.

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I've noticed that in a supermarket, was intrigued.

Does it have much of a banana flavour?

I wouldn’t say overpowering, however banana peel adds a great flavour.

I first tried it a bar, then remembered seeing in Sainsbury on promotion. Price jumped when I purchased from £15 to £30