Here’s a rum I’ve never heard of until David Flint Wood, one of the founders of the brand, came in touch with me about trying it. After looking into it I saw it has a somewhat weird story behind it and, I have to say, I absolutely love it.
According to their website (and also the back label) Idle Assembly Rum was inspired by the time David spent in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island in the Bahamas where he lived for almost 30 years. There used to be a sign at Harbour Island’s Government Dock with a list of rules and regulations, one of which was saying:
No loafing or idle assembly.
It seems David thought that was a shame “as a glass of rum and a group of people not doing very much seemed to sum up not only a particular appeal of the island, but also a frame of mind that could export itself.” Therefore he made a rum for those who do wish to idle in the sun while enjoying some rum – yes, I found this funny and relatable as it would be probably something I would do as well.
While the rum’s headquarters is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, I found it somehow entertaining that on the back label it says that the rum was “distilled and bottled for The Spirits of Dunmore Town, Harbour Island in the Bahamas Limited” which is quite the company name.
Even so, the rum itself is actually blended in Colombia with rums from Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Panama that have been aged between 5 and 20 years in ex-Bourbon barrels. While no name is mentioned, the rum is probably made by Casa Santana Ron Y Licores S.A.S. They don’t distill, but are rather specialised in blending – they also make Ron La Hechicera.
What I also like is the old school look of the bottle and label, with the hand-made illustration that’s reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s period. Their very first batch is comprised of 6500 bottles.
Idle Assembly Rum is molasses based, most likely only column still distilled and aged between 5 and 20 years in ex-Bourbon barrels. Bottled at 43% ABV without any additives.
On the nose it feels spicy and woody. Warm oak spices such as allspice, vanilla, ginger and black pepper. Ground coffee, raw cacao nibs and dusty old books. It has all the notes I would expect from a “Spanish style” blend, but more complex. Maple syrup, burnt marshmallows and sour cherries. Red apples, burnt orange peel and strawberry jam.
On the palate it’s once again spicy. Black pepper, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Dark chocolate, cola, cappuccino and canned plums. It’s oaky and dry. Raisins, dried figs, Luxardo cherries and marmalade. Walnuts, allspice and brownies. Blackberry jam and maple syrup notes. The finish is medium with ground coffee and wood spices.
This is a good rum. Elegant, warm oak spices and chocolaty notes that don’t feel thin or boring – given the provenance of the rums in the blend anyway. Nothing here for the hogo heads, but it can be a refreshing sipper on par or better than the likes of Santa Teresa 1796 or Santiago De Cuba 11 Year Old – worth a try if you’re a fan of those.
You can buy Idle Assembly from Master of Malt for £55 which is not a bad price at all.
Idle Assembly Rum score:
Flavour/taste: 54/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 83/100
Cheers!