RUM

Angostura 1919 is a specially blended multiple award winning rum, which celebrates a very particular date in the development of the rum industry in Trinidad & Tobago, as well as the Caribbean. After a fire in 1932, which destroyed the Government Rum Bond, the master blender of Fernandes Distillers, J.B. Fernandes, bought the charred casks, only to discover they had been filled in the year 1919. The prized rum was skillfully blended and called "1919 Aged Rum."

We looked at the Appleton 12 Year Estate last month and this month will check out Appleton 21 Year Estate; you remember: "Appleton shines the bold beauty of Jamaican Rum with defined and articulate elegance." All the rums contained in Appleton Estate 21 are a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 21 years before being blended and laid to further rest. The second rest takes about a year to allow the flavors and aromas to marry and provide an opportunity to slowly lower the (abv) proof-by adding water. This long aging in a tropical climate, careful blending and secondary rest produces a vigorous, deep, ruminative rum that stands tall along side any other fine, aged spirits. The aromas of brown sugar, baking spice, stewed dried tropical fruit, oxidized orange peel, vanilla and cocoa articulate a lusciously ambrosial invitation to respectfully sip. The flavors lead with an interwoven oak demonstration, roasted oily nuts (walnuts & pecans in particular), dark fruit, molasses and woodsy spice. These flavors are interlacing, wonderfully maintaining a remarkable balance. The finish dallies presenting vibrant delight in a diverting review of the subtlety displayed on the palate. There are only a limited number of this complex, intricate and exquisite rum released each year, a true collector’s rum. Try this neat, preferably with a friend and time to enjoy.

Only 1,440 bottles of Appleton Estate 30 Year Old were made. . . and i sampled from 2 of them! This rum started as exquisite distillate from Appleton, aged for 8 years-- was blended and then laid down for another 22 years--to emerge as a a masterful achievement in balance and gracious flavors. On the nose there is orchard blossoms, golden apples stewed with maple, cinnamon, ginger, cedar and candied orange zest delicately buttressed by vanilla. The palate is much lighter than i expected from the nosing, but the flavors are intricate iterations of the aromas— presented with flowers, oxidized fruit, dark wood tones, voluptuous baking spices and creamy caramel/vanilla. The finish clings, showing molasses, maple, soft spice and sumptuous oak nuances. This is exquisite rum.

Appleton Rums demonstrate the bold beauty of Jamaican Rum with defined, articulate elegance and Appleton Estate 12 is a perfect manifestation of that goal. All the rums contained in Appleton Estate are a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 12 Years. This long aging in a tropical climate produces a robust, quaff-able, contemplative rum that will hold its own alongside any other fine aged spirits. The aromas of polished leather, brown sugar, wood resin, stewed tropical fruits, oily nuts, overripe orange zest and orange blossoms evoke a lusciously rich invitation that seems gilded with sapid caramel. The flavors follow the aromas to show the lovely scents as delectable flavors in an impeccable structure holding remarkable balance. The finish lingers deliberating an exuberant recapitulation of the marvelous refinement displayed on the palate. This rum is complex, intricate and exquisite; try this neat or with an ice cube.

Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaica Rum is blended from 20 different rums and is the latest marvelous addition to the Estate Line from Appleton. The aromas of brown sugar, baking spice, dried tropical fruit, oxidized orange zest and apricot carve a deliciously pungent invitation with a vanilla bow on top. The flavors lead with dark fruit stewed with honey, spices and nuts. The tastes reveal themselves one at a time with pleasant modesty; they are daedal and woodsy, maintaining remarkable balance. The finish is a dawdling offering of delectation that is vivacious, with a fun review of the wonderful nuances revealedon the palate. This rum is laid-back and nonpareil; it is a joy neat and it is a revelation in a drink!

Ron Miel means Honey Rum; it is the métier of the Canary Islands; Arehucas, the oldest distillery in the Canary Islands, produces the highest quality and the most popular Ron Miel. Beginning with rum that they distilled from molasses and age for seven years, it is then blended with natural honey harvested from neighboring islands (which are famous for their superior honey) to create a recherché flavor alliance that is unequaled. The name itself explains the aromas you get when nosing: honey and rum. There are scents of flowers, citrus zest, chocolate, vanilla and a range of other daedal aromas that are all intrinsically bound to honey and rum. On the palate it is sweet, quite sweet, like HONEY mixed with RUM. The finish dawdles, conjuring fields of wildflowers and other evocative mental images. Sip Ron Miel or mix it with coffee, tea or milk; also you could use it as the sweetener in a delicious cocktail, and of course, there are limitless culinary possibilities: pour it on fruit, pastries, use it as a marinade or a glaze.

Avuá Cachaça is made from 100% estate grown sugar cane harvested from a small town situated just three hours outside of Rio de Janeiro. The sugar cane is grown on the town's sharp slopes in an intense, subtropical environment, and is hand-cut by local farmers before being crushed using a waterwheel-powered grinder. The sugarcane juice extracted from the grinder is then strained and fermented using local airborne yeast into a wash called garapa (garapa is used figuratively to mean "a good thing.")

The garapa is then distilled using an ancient process derived from the Iberian method of distillation in copper alembic stills. After distillation, Avuá Cachaça Amburana is aged up to two years in a highly sought after Brazilian wood known as amburana, leading to a warm and savory flavor. This wood, one of the key ingredients in French perfuming since the late 1800s, offers a stunning and unique palate.

After aging, each bottle of Avuá Cachaça is brought to proof by hand. The cachaça has savory notes of nutmeg and honey, which are nicely balanced with warm notes of spices and basil.

Bacardi Black is a medium-bodied black rum, expertly blended by the Maestros de Ron Bacardi using rum developed in heavily charred oak barrels and then shaped through a secret blend of charcoals.

Sweet, tropical fruit, buttery caramel and vanilla notes give way to a smoky liquorice and molasses finish.

Its robust and intense flavor makes it perfect served as a shot. Its bold flavor also helps it stand up to pairing with intensely flavored mixers such as the coffee liqueur used to create the Nocturno.

Bacardi Gold is expertly crafted by Maestros de Ron Bacardi. Its rich flavors and golden complexion are developed in toasted oak barrels and its mellow character comes from being shaped through a secret blend of charcoals.

Bacardi Gold features rich vanilla, buttery caramel, toasted almond and sweet banana notes with the warm zest of orange peel and a light tasting, oaky finish.

This rum forms the heart of the most classic of them all – the Original Cuba Libre.

Bacardi Gold is expertly crafted by Maestros de Ron Bacardi. Its rich flavors and golden complexion are developed in toasted oak barrels and its mellow character comes from being shaped through a secret blend of charcoals.

Bacardi Gold features rich vanilla, buttery caramel, toasted almond and sweet banana notes with the warm zest of orange peel and a light tasting, oaky finish.

This rum forms the heart of the most classic of them all – the Original Cuba Libre.

Named after the spanish word for lemon, Bacardi Limon is a carefully crafted product that infuses Bacardi rum with the essence of the royal family of citrus fruits: lemon, lime and grapefruit.

Signed with the Bacardi seal 'El Ron del Murciélago' (the rum of the bat) and new from the Bacardi family of products, is Oakheart spiced rum. To start the rum is aged in charred American white oak and when it is mature enough it is enhanced with select sweeteners, flavors and spices that include maple, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and vanilla. The nose is robust showing creamy caramel, elegant toasted oak, spices and hints of dried, dark fruits. The flavors follow the aromas in a lithesome sweetness that is held in check by oak driven spices, peppery sapidity and the obvious taste of rum. This is a svelte spiced rum that is excellent for any fan of spiced rum; it is tasty on the rocks, in a long drink, in tea, coffee or hot buttered rum or however you drink your spiced rum. Enjoy Oakheart 'El Ron del Murciélago', rum of the bat.

Signed with the Bacardi seal 'El Ron del Murciélago' (the rum of the bat) and new from the Bacardi family of products, is Oakheart spiced rum. To start the rum is aged in charred American white oak and when it is mature enough it is enhanced with select sweeteners, flavors and spices that include maple, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and vanilla. The nose is robust showing creamy caramel, elegant toasted oak, spices and hints of dried, dark fruits. The flavors follow the aromas in a lithesome sweetness that is held in check by oak driven spices, peppery sapidity and the obvious taste of rum. This is a svelte spiced rum that is excellent for any fan of spiced rum; it is tasty on the rocks, in a long drink, in tea, coffee or hot buttered rum or however you drink your spiced rum. Enjoy Oakheart 'El Ron del Murciélago', rum of the bat.