I had Jaz Anand from Skylark Spirits message me about having a look at his Rum Discovery Box. Skylark Spirits are importers and distributors of rum spirits and rum related products – and also some great people to hang around with and have a tot.
This won’t be an actual scored review, it’s just me having a look at the contents and giving my opinion.
The Rum Discovery Box contains a total of 10 different samples of rums and flavoured rums all with various profiles and styles. The box is available in 2 sizes, one in which the sample bottles measure 2cl each and one in which they measure 5cl each, with the later being the one in my possession. The average ABV of the samples in the pack is 43% ABV, so you should expect both easy going tipples as well as some that pack a little more punch.
Personally after having a quick look at the contents I would say the name is pretty much on point. The rums inside are very diverse and are a good introduction to the world of cane spirit – it will be impossible not to find something you enjoy inside. In fact I already reviewed about 50% of the rums on the list so I’ll keep it short and easy as I’m describing each of them.
That being said let’s get started:
Black Tears Dry Spiced
This is described as the very first Cuban spiced rum on the market. The name itself is inspired by the Cuban song “Lagrimas Negras” that tells the story of a young woman who sobbed into a vat of rum, filling it with her sorrow. The rum itself is molasses based, column still distilled, aged for at least 2 years as per the Cuban law and infused with coffee, cacao and aji dulce, which is like a Cuban sweet chilli. Bottled at 40% ABV with some caramel and little to no sugar added.
Its profile is quite easy going with earthy and peppery notes balanced out by caramel, black coffee, cocoa nibs, toasted biscuits and a subtle vanilla whiff. This rum can be enjoyed by itself, but it lends itself very well in cocktails or paired with a mixer due to its low sugar content.
Companero Elixir Orange
This is more like a rum based liqueur and the sweetest offering in the collection. The base for this liqueur comes from Trinidad and it’s molasses based, column distilled and flavoured with orange and coconut. Bottled at 40% ABV with a significant amount of sugar added.
Its profile is sweet and velvety with intense orange flavours, coconut, brown sugar and a touch of anise. This is perfect for someone with a sweet tooth and I would recommend it either over ice or to be used as a modifier in drinks to add sweetness and orange flavours, similar to a triple sec.
This is one of the sisters of the Companero Elixir Orange and the strongest rum in the box, although it doesn’t really feel like it. The base for this rum is from Panama, molasses based and column still distilled. The rum is aged for 12 years before being finished in casks that contain toasted cocoa beans, so expect this to be a very chocolate forward flavoured rum. Bottled at 54% ABV with, potentially, some sugar added.
Its profile is quite punchy with chocolate galore and some other subtle flavours such as nutmeg, coffee and toffee. Very cocoa forward, this can be used in a variety of drinks such as the Espresso Martini or White Russian – or just mix it with the Elixir Orange for a simple, desserty drink.
Companero Gran Reserva
This is the only rum from the Companero trio that isn’t flavoured. This is a blend of pot still molasses rums from Jamaica and column still molasses rums from Trinidad that have been aged up to 15 years. Bottled at 40% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is balanced with tropical and spicy notes such as banana, charred oak, black tea, cacao and a hint of tobacco. It’s easy enough to sip and full bodied enough to be used in most cocktails.
This is the only agricole rhum in the set and probably the most unique for someone that isn’t very familiar with the category. It comes from Guadeloupe and it’s cane juice based, column distilled and rested for 3 to 6 months in wooden vats. Bottled at 50% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is quite sharp and full bodied, with grassy notes alongside layers of tropical fruits such as mango, passion fruit and pineapple. I highly recommend to use it in a Ti’ Punch, but it works great in a Martini as well.
El Ron Del Artesano 2007 (I’ve reviewed a similar one here)
This rum’s distinctive feature is that it has been finished in Ruby Port casks before being bottled. Coming from Panama, it’s molasses based, column still distilled and aged for a total of 8 years. Bottled at 42.6% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is complex and quite rich with red berries, warm spices, umami and citrus. Have this neat or in a Manhattan style drink, you won’t be disappointed.
Montanya Oro
This is a young American rum that has been aged in Colorado’s Laws Whiskey House barrels. Made in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, this rum is molasses and unrefined sugar based, pot still distilled and aged for 1 year in ex-whiskey barrels. Bottled at 40% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is pretty full bodied with notes of red chilli, coffee, orchard fruits and subtle oak spices. Works great in most drinks that call for bourbon.
This is the white rum of the Montanya range. It’s molasses and unrefined sugar based, pot still distilled and aged for 1 year in ex-whiskey and ex-Montanya Oro barrels. It’s then filtered through a coconut husk carbon filter for the clear colour and then bottled at 40% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel featuring notes of coconut, biscuits, ground coffee, butterscotch and citrus zest. I would use it in virtually any drink that asks for a white rum such as a Mojito or Daiquiri.
Here we have another Cuban rum, this time unflavoured. It’s important to state that the 13 on the label is not an age statement, but rather it was the 13th blend or iteration that was chosen to be the Ron La Progresiva when it was in development. This is a blend of three molasses based, column still distilled rums that have been aged for 11, 13 and 15 years. Bottled at 41% ABV with a very small amount of sugar added.
Its profile is elegant with dried fruits, orchard fruits, passion fruit, tobacco, nuts and warm spices. Layered and easy going, someone has to use this in an Old Cuban.
William George
This is an interesting blend of rums that make a fairly funky and full bodied white rum. It contains pot still unaged molasses rums from Jamaica, a column still unaged molasses rum from Trinidad and a blend of column still molasses rums from Trinidad that have been aged between 2 to 5 years before being carbon filtered in order to remove the colour. Bottled at 43% ABV without any additives.
Its profile is sharp, yet balanced with candied bananas, nail varnish, canned pineapple, caramel and ginger. If there’s anything you should make a Daiquiri with, this is definitely the one!
As you can see, this box has everything that someone who is getting into rum needs to try. I honestly think it would make a great present for most occasions, such as, I don’t know… Father’s Day! As for the people that are more towards the rum geek/enthusiast side, they probably already tried most of the rums here (as I have), but I still doubt they’d refuse it.
It can be bought for £60 (Distillers Direct) or it’s currently on offer for £55 (Drink Supermarket) and a free tote bag if you prefer the smaller version, it’s still available on Master of Malt for £27. I prefer the larger one as the sample bottles are big enough to be used for a full cocktail if needed.
Cheers!