Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
COCKSPUR FINE RUM
Distiller: West Indies Rum Refinery
Country: Barbados
Cost: $21.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Gold rum distilled from fermented molasses. Aged in whiskey & bourbon barrels.
Ned Tugent says: "A nice bourbon-y, vanilla, peppery taste. A slight sherry-feel going down. Holds up in a rocks glass just fine with a slightly acidic finish. Grade: B+"
Tiki T says: "Hints of oak cask & sherry. Nice balance. Definitely boozy. Hot finish. Grade: B-"
A great looking bottle at a great price point, Cockspur's roots begin with a seaman & a dream. In 1884, Dane Valdemar Hanschell set up shop on the island of Barbados and began distilling and distributing his unique brand of refined Rum. Aided by some cats named the Stade Brothers, Cockspur Rum lacked the impurities that many Caribbean based rums had in the late 19th Century, thus making it one of the region's most popular! West Indies Rum Distillery was established and continues to operate to this day!
Here's their website in case you're interested!
NICE COCK!
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
APPLETON ESTATE V/X
Distiller: Appleton Estate
Country: Jamaica
Cost: $21.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: A blend of Rums of at least 5 years of age, matured in smaller oak barrels before marriage in casks.
Ned Tugent says: "Sweet & peppery. Hints of vanilla & caramel. Nice spice; medium bodied. Balanced. Great on its own; even better in a Hurricane! Grade: B+"
Tiki T says: "Smoky. Cedar. Pretty smooth but I wish it had a little bit more of a fruit/citrus component. Grade: B-"
Tiki T. seems to be a tough little judge!
A very good, very reliable Jamaican Rum. Big fruit flavors with a little bit of bite. Makes a fantastic mixer!
Ms. Joy Spence is Appleton's Master Blender-- she also has the distinction of being the first female master blender in the spirits industry! Joy seems like our kind of gal! Here's the Appleton's website.
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
CORUBA JAMAICA RUM
Distiller: The Rum Company
Country: Kingston, Jamaica
Cost: $21.00
Proof: 80
Size: 1 liter
Description: Dark Jamaican Rum made from Molasses.
Ned Tugent says: "Very sweet. Too sweet on its own. Tastes almost as if someone's adding caramel syrup right to the bottle! Also, kind of caustic. Good for mixing! Grade: C"
Tiki T says: "Smelling notes: maraschino cherries, vanilla bean and a touch of chlorine. Very boozy. Caustic on the finish. Grade: C+"
 |
| Racist? |
Decent, not great Jamaican Rum. With the help of some fresh limes and blended bananas it would make a good daiquiri. Would also probably do well in a Planter's Punch. There's no shortage of good rum coming out of Jamaica and this one is a decent mixer but nothing to write home about!
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
ANGOSTURA RESERVA RUM
Distiller: Angostura Ltd
Country: Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
Cost: $17.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Charcoal-filtered white rum made from fermented Molasses. Aged for three years.
Ned Tugent says: "Smooth and vanilla-tinged rum without the bite found in the likes of Bacardi. Its great on the rocks with a hint of mint and a slice of lime! Grade: B+"
Tiki T says: "Notes of brandied-raisins. Creamy & smooth. Nice, non-flammable finish! Grade: B+"
The "House of Angostura" on the Caribbean island of Trinidad has been known in the U.S. for years mainly because of their famous line of Bitters. Fortunately, the Rums that were once only available on the island have (since 2011) become available in the United States, as well. Great tasting Rums due in part to the pure spring water available from nearby rain forests. In their branding efforts, the folks at Angostura chose the symbol of a butterfly to grace their bottles. Why? Well, first because Trinidad is home to the largest variety of butterfly species on Earth and, secondly, because of the belief that the number of butterflies flying above a sugar cane field indicates that its time for harvest! Plus it makes a great-looking bottle for some great tasting rum! Here's their website.
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
BULLY BOY DISTILLERS WHITE RUM
Distiller: Bully Boy Distillers
Country: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: $28.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Handcrafted White Rum from blackstrap molasses.
Ned Tugent says: "Nice bite with hints of vanilla and caramel. One of the best white rums I've ever tried! A little too potent to drink on its own but also way too good to use in a sugary mixer. Really opens up with some fresh limes and mint in a mojito! Grade: B+"
Tiki T says: "I find this rum to be a little too caustic, with a flammable finish! But, can easily be mellowed in a mixed drink! Grade: C"
The city of Boston has quite the rum-soaked history. In fact, Rum production was one of Colonial New England's most prosperous (and no doubt most fun) industries. Billing itself as Boston's First Craft Distillery, Bully Boy Distillers started producing organic, hand-crafted spirits in 2011. Brothers Dave & Will Willis have created a line of small-batch artisanal rums, whiskeys and vodkas. If their White Rum is any indication of what's to come, we've got high hopes for these guys! Check out their website here. Go Sawx!
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
BACARDI GOLD
Distiller: Bacardi
Country: Puerto Rico
Cost: $11.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Light brown Puerto Rican Rum from fermented molasses.
Ned Tugent says: "Overly sweet, smoky vanilla, hint of tobacco. Not to be drunk straight, but would make a fine, unassuming mixer. Probably packs a mean hangover. Grade: B-"
Tiki T says: "Oh! I like it! It almost has a dry sherry quality to it! Grade: B+"
We always prefer small batch rums as opposed to the big, mass-marketed brands. And it doesn't get much bigger than Bacardi. Still, its not a terrible rum. Would obviously work much better as a mixer than as a sipper, plus the good price point would make it an ideal candidate for daiquiris and rum punches.
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
KRAKEN BLACK SPICED RUM
Distiller: Kraken Rum Company
Country: USA (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Cost: $24.00
Proof: 94
Size: 750 ml
Description: Imported Caribbean Rums blended with Spice, Caramel and various other flavorings.
Ned Tugent says: "Surprisingly good, ink-black, spiced rum with hints of blackberry and licorice. Grade: B"
Tiki T says: "A pleasant aroma of cream soda. Notes of cane sugar and molasses from start to finish. Nice, warm ending but a little too sweet for me! Grade: C+"
A big part of the fun of Kraken Rum is their packaging and marketing. Usually anything with this elaborate of an ad campaign is more about image than it is about quality, but that's not really the case here! Kraken is a good, albeit, unusual rum. Not as versatile, perhaps, as some others but will handily replace Goslings in a "Dark & Stormy" and would enhance a mug of hot cider rather nicely! (Tiki T. would like to warn of a monster hangover that might accompany the latter!)
Check out their website, its a fun one!
Enjoy!
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
RON ABUELO ANEJO
Distiller: Varela Hermanos, S.A.
Country: PANAMA
Cost: $14.00 (!)
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Blend of selected aged rums, matured in small oak barrels.
Ned Tugent says: "Good, versatile rum that's reasonably priced. Hints of caramel & maple, but not overly sweet! A little hint of oak-smokiness on the finish! Grade: B"
Tiki T says: "A strong vanilla bean on the nose. A little smoky on the front with a soft cream on the backend! Grade: B+"
In 1908, a young Spanish immigrant, Don Jose Varela Blanco, established the first sugar mill in the Republic of Panama. In 1936, at the behest of his three sons, good old Don Jose started distilling this sugar into something quite delicious! Hence, Varela Hermanos was born!
Here's the Ron Abuelo website if you'd like to learn more!
Enjoy!
Hello friends,
Going back and forth from the tiki bar to the turntable all night long really makes you work up a mean, mean thirst!
Tonight we're taking a break from record reviews and instead we're focusing our attention on one of the world's most delicious (and misunderstood) libations-- RUM.
Described by Marco Polo in the 14th Century as "very good wine made of sugar", the history of rum is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. The story of Rum is the story of slavery, of pirates, of Navies, of the New World, of exploration, colonization, capitalism, rebellion and of course, hot, drunk college girls on Spring Break!
YO HO HO, indeed!
EL DORADO 5 YEAR DEMERARA RUM
Distiller: Demerara Distillers, Ltd.
Country: GUYANA
Cost: $20.00
Proof: 80
Size: 750 ml
Description: Aged for 5+ years in Oak Casks
Ned Tugent says: "Initial sweetness quickly subsides into a caramel/vanilla coke taste. Very drinkable. Fine by itself, but would also make a great mixer! B+"
Tiki T says: "A fine rum. No nonsense on the front of the palette followed by sweet notes of vanilla bourbon. A-!"
We had to Wikipedia to find out exactly where Guyana is and it turns out its on the Northeastern coast of South America, next to Venezuela. In addition to rum, Guyana produces and exports rice, gold, bauxite and Demerara sugar. Formerly a Dutch and a British Colony, culturally its part of the Caribbean and its the only country in South American where English is the official language.
Tiki T. would also like to point out that Guyana was the host to the famous, Jonestown Massacre where on November 18, 1978, cult-leader Jim Jones led over 900 of his followers in the largest mass suicide in modern history! Forget the Kool Aid, should've stuck with the rum!
Anyways, here's the El Dorado website. Enjoy!
