Revelation Rum comes from Smooth Ambler Spirits from Greenbrier County in West Virginia. They started in 2009 and are mostly into whiskey business, this being the first rum they have bottled (and the only one). I have to thank once again to thefatrumpirate who also did a review on the Revelation Rum and left a link to a forum chat about it. The rum is a blend of two Jamaican rums: a column still – distilled in 1990 (75%) and a pot still – distilled in 1985 (25%). The distilleries are speculated to be Appleton and Monymusk, although it might be wrong. The rums have been aged in a cold environment, the youngest one being 23 years old. Revelation Rum has been bottled at 49.5% ABV with no additives!
On the nose I get that Jamaican fruitiness, banana, pear, pineapple followed by some vegetal notes, maybe aniseed and finally brown sugar and oak.
On the palate it’s not as fruity as notes of charred oak take the front seat with coffee beans and some citrus, the funk is there but on the background with ripe banana and pear. I also get blackberries and passion fruit midway. On the finish some peppercorn, oak and peat smoke persists.
This is not you everyday fruity Jamaican rum, the barrel is more prominent in taste, some would say that it’s a bit too much. I actually like it, the first time I tasted it I was utterly surprised. And in a good way. This bottling is limited, once is gone is gone therefore if you can get your hands on it I would recommend you take it. It’s also a good gateway to rum for American whiskey drinkers.
Smooth Ambler Revelation Rum score:
Flavour/taste: 58/70
Value for money: 10/15
Transparency/purity: 10/15
Overall: 78/100
Cheers!
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