This year’s RumFest allowed me to taste and interact with a lot of rum brands, but if I were to highlight the most (pleasantly) surprising brand that I got to try, that would be the Outlier Distilling Company. They make rum (among other spirits) on an island, but not a particularly tropical one – the … More Review: Hurricane Overproof Manx Rum
“A naval phrase that celebrates courage, teamwork and friendship forged in the heart of battle. In the days of sail, the main sail was steadied, or braced, with a thick rope called the Mainbrace. If it was cut by enemy fire, a team of sailors had to splice the mainbrace back together whilst under fire … More Review: Mainbrace Navy Strength
Ninefold is a brand that I like to keep an eye on. Dr. Kit Carruthers, the founder and master distiller of Ninefold, is actively experimenting with production and ageing methods, going to various events to promote his, periodically releasing limited edition bottlings solely destined for charity all while pretty much single handedly operating the distillery … More Review: Ninefold Cask Aged Pure Single Rum (Batch CA01)
I have a sample here of a single cask released by Mezan. The rum itself is sourced from Jamaica, and while it doesn’t state the distillery, their website say it’s located in Valle Lluidas – which means it comes from Worthy Park. Mezan are an UK independent bottler that source rum from other producers and … More The Barrel Sample: Mezan Jamaica 2006 – Single Cask
Bristol Spirits, which was founded in 1993 by John Barret is a long standing independent bottler that has acquired quite the reputation in time. I feel like I’ve come late to the party since I only started reviewing them as of lately, but I’m only one man and so many rums to get around – … More Review: Bristol Spirits – Barbados 2011
I really enjoy rum and if you’re here reading this you surely enjoy it as well, but what I personally like about rum, besides its taste, is its story, and Saint Benevolence’s story is one that needs to be spread. Not necessarily because of its past, but for what it can achieve in the present, … More Review: Saint Benevolence Rum Clairin
Now here’s a showdown between two rums with similar specifications, yet miles apart when it comes to reputation. Wray is a celebrity, a star, even a religion for some, both in Jamaica and abroad and its label is arguably the most recognisable worldwide whereas Monymusk is probably the most “underground” Jamaican overproof even compared to … More Review: Wray & Nephew Oveproof White Rum vs Monymusk Overproof White Rum
J. Gow is one Scottish rum brand that’s on my radar, especially when it comes to new releases. The rum is named after an infamous Orkney pirate called John Gow. While most rum brands that use pirate lore as their marketing point are usually not worth checking out, J. Gow is the exception and, honestly, … More Review: J. Gow Culverin
Finally here! After the announcement at the Luca Gargano’s rum session at RumFest about a sherry cask aged Hampden, it finally hit the UK market a few weeks ago and it obviously sold out in a blink. Despite that, after a few searches, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a bottle and … More Review: Hampden Estate Pagos Sherry Cask
The earliest record of rum being given out on British ships was in 1655 when they won the battle for Jamaica against the Spanish. As they didn’t have enough of any other spirits, Admiral William Penn decided to give the crew a measure of rum as a reward – however this is not when the … More Review: Black Tot Last Consignment