Moto

How does the La Mauny compare to La Favorite and Neisson Rums. Also whats your opinion of the Sipsmith?

Craig E gives beautiful advice here. I tried my first Negroni about 10 years ago. I thought to myself why is this horrid drink a cocktail classic? I was already a gin fan at that time and a fan of all things bitter but I just wasn't ready for the combo. I tried it again a few years later and still didn't get it. Finally tried it a third time and the light bulb came on.

Thanks for the clarification info FP. I tried another of my recent rum additions, the 1993 Port Mourant. While it is getting better on subsequent sessions, it is not nearly as interesting as the Caroni or K & L rums I have tried recently. It is very well made but overall after four sessions it just comes across as well aged brown spirit. None of the curve balls or interesting flavors of the Caroni or Uitvulgt The flavors and aromas of the Caroni or Uitvulgt were fairly obvious and just come flooding forward. While it is bottled at 65% the the alcohol is fairly well integrated. It may just be that I am unable to identify all of the things going on in this rum. Water improves it only slightly but again it is very well made and well aged spirit with no real stand out character. When factoring in price I think even the Hamilton cask strength St. Lucian offerings are better. I do think it is much better than any of the Samaroli or Black Adder products I have tried though.

Beautiful photos as always. Love the poolside moai.

I came home this evening and sampled the Lost spirits for the first time in a long time. I think Rafa hit the nail on the head with the word harmony. It is almost as if someone assembled a Frankenstein of rums putting together all the required(or desired) parts but they are not in harmony. I sampled it against Smith and Cross, Hamilton Jamaican Black Rum and Gosling Black Seal. I chose the last two because of the strong molasses nose of Lost Spirits I think part of the problem may also be the name. The only reference I have for a Navy rum is Smith and Cross. Smith and Cross is head and shoulders above the Lost Spirits effort. I wonder how we would interpret Lost Spirits effort if they called it Lost Spirits California Style or some other name.

Tried another of the Velier Rums. This time the Rhum Rhum Liberation 2012. Reportedly a five year old rum aged in white wine barrels. The nose comes across to me as a combination of light smoke, brine and a bottle of fish sauce. Not appetizing at all. In fact I can't even drill down to what it actually tastes like without these briny ashy notes getting in my way. A few days later I happend to sample some green tea and found the exact same notes in the aroma. Still doesn't help me enjoy it any. I try it with ice and I also let it open up for a long time and it was still an ashy mess. I finally tried it after putting my glass in the fridge for about an hour. The nose was much more subdued and I was able to really taste the rum. Really soft light notes of apricot and peach, you can taste the white wine barrel. Actually fairly elegant as long as it is not allowed to warm up to room temp. Definitely not my favorite but an interesting experience.

A local distiller just released their first product, a gin. Profile is supposed to hew more closely to the London Dry School than New American. I've only had it in tastes as they were refining the profile. It will be interesting to see how the formal scaled up product is on its own and in a drink.

Don't give up on the Sea Wyne yet. Sipping it neat is like guzzling diesel fuel but it is great in a drink that calls for Jamaican or Guyana rum. I've been sipping on the Caroni I just received. The nose is a thing of wonder. A little tar, along with toffee and butter and ripe fruit.The richness of the buttery notes really brings it all together. It steadily improves as you let it sit. The taste was really surprising. A little tarry bitterness but the main notes are that of a menthol eucalyptus cough drop and a big jolt of anise. It has just a hint of sweet to remind you it is aged rum. Makes me think of Fernet aged for 20 years.

I agree on the Cio Ciaro. It is quite nice on its own with a piece of ice. I have yet to try it in a cocktail since I've enjoyed it so much on its own. I initially liked Cardamoro but then fell for Byrrh and Bonal, which I consider of the same ilk. Unfortunately due to their short shelf life I can only keep one of those vermouth type potions at a time. The good news is that the Ciaciaro should last indefinitely due to its higher proof.

The company was la cantina pinta. It took about 15-20 days for my package to arrive. Shipping was about $75.00 for three bottles or about $25 each. It took a little longer than expected only because one of the items I ordered was out of stock(Rhum Rhum liberation). I ordered the 2010 and they gladly subbed in the more expensive 2012 at no extra cost. Including shipping and currency conversion the Rhum Rhum was $82.00. Compare that to $149 @ Astor Wines. The lowest I have seen it is at $85.00 on closeout at Hitime wines. Since my order they have raised prices on some of the rarer items(the Caronis and other Velier Rums by about 20%) but they still have a lot of good prices for items not available here. Think Rum Nation and lots of Rhum agricole I whole heartedly recommend them. They gladly answered all my many questions. I was initially very apprehensive about paying a few hundred $ and risking my order not arrive. It appears they have a lot of experience shipping wine and alcohol. They use a dedicated shipper that has a wine shipping division. I emailed a few other stores initially and several were not set up to handle overseas shipping.

I ordered them from a European website. Hardest part was the waiting for delivery.

Just added these to my shelf. Factoring in shipping and currency costs they are actually priced competitively with equivalent Rums available here.

You may want to view the online portals of all the larger New York stores. You would know exactly what they have and could even order in advance. In fact I would look at the online portals of all US stores that offer a wider range of fare. In NYC there is Park Avenue liquors, Astor and Drinkup NY. Nationally I would add at least K & L and Hitime Wines. I think most of the New York stores deliver with little or no cost in the city and the national stores could deliver to their hotel or to a local fedex or ups. If ordering outside of NYC just order at least a week early and let the delivery service know who and when they will be claiming it so they will hold it longer than usual. Also add Cocktail Kingdom to the list.

Terrible is right. I've revisited it in the last few months after experiencing more rums, particularly of higher strength. I still don't like it neat but in a Mail Tai it plays its role much better than most. If I saw a bottle on the shelf today I would buy it just for its usefulness in that one drink.

Tonight's Mai Tai 1 Oz LaFavorit 1 Oz Smith & Cross 1/2 oz Pecan Orgeat 1/2 oz Clement Shrub 1 Oz Lime Juice even with tired looking limes this was very good

As you can see below I thoroughly hate my bottle of Hampden rum form K & L. I dislike it so much I am contemplating ordering another. I don't like it sipped neat. It is passable with a generous glug of water. But man o man it is a thing of beauty with a big slow melting cube of ice. All the richness and full flavor that you expect comes roaring through. I also took the opportunity to try my version of Rumdoods $300 Mai Tai with 1 oz. each of Hampden and K & L's Uitvlugt Guyanan rum. Simply Sublime.

I haven't cracked open the Forres Park yet. So far the Hampden is like Smith and Cross minus the fruitiness and caramel but add in some smoke and vanilla. It seems as though 14 years has barely taken the edges off the spirit. Definitely not a sipper and at that price point hard to see as a mixer. I should have a chance to take a couple of more tastes of the Guyana later this week and I will report back. So far I'm more impressed with it than any Samaroli or Blackadder

A few new additions in the last couple of weeks. A friend brought the Junipero from SC. It is a restock. I picked up the Forres Park thanks to Hassouni. It was on the shelves of a truly random liquor store. I also received a shipment from K&L. I've taken a whiff of the Hampden. The nose is Jamaica to the core, banana-y ester funkiness, though lighter than a Smith and Cross. The Uitvlugt is interesting though seems slow to reveal its secrets. It needs a lot of time in the glass to open up and still seems bound up waiting to release its full depth. The aroma and taste undiluted has notes of cocoa, maybe some berry. Despite its 100+ proof it is smooth as silk. With water, honey and dried and fresh fruits come to the fore. I will wait on the Cadenhead and crack that open after fully exploring the Hampden and Uitvlugt.

The La favorite is my favorite so far. I have tried both the blanc and some of the aged variations of Clement and La Favorite and so far La Favorite wins each time. The Barbancourt has a burnt rubber aspect that I really can't get past. The blanc versions of agricoles make a wonderful straight ahead daiquiri. I think a part of the difference between the Clement and the others is that the easily available blanc is bottled at 40 proof while the Niesson and Favorite are at 50. The vegetal quality of an agricole reminds me a lot of a good tequila.

I've had a couple of "mules" make the trip. Most that is easily available in the DR is easily accessible in the states at prices that are fairly comparable. If your looking for something out of the ordinary it depends on what you desire in a rum and the dedication of your mule. The company that has the most interesting lineup is Oliver and Oliver. I am not sure if they offer tours and what, if anything is available on a tour. Any offerings that are aged longer (say 10+ years), bottled at higher than normal strength or aged in something other than a bourbon barrel are what I would search for.

Another trip to Ace in DC this past weekend. The Smith and Cross is a restock, all others are new to me.

Did you pick those up in London? Any tasting notes for us? Finally are you still enjoying the Rattray Caroni?

Walked into a VA liquor store and was surprised to see Plantation 3 Stars white rum. At just $18.00 I couldn't say no. There goes my moratorium until Christmas. Tried it by itself and with a twist of lemon initially. Very impressed. Once I got home to NC I mixed up a drink with lemon, soursop and tamarind concentrate. The Plantation stood up well. Perhaps not as well as La Favorite but overall I am impressed. It is delicious and full of flavor. Sipped neat it had an earthy or cinnamon note towards the end. Will try a daiquiri one day soon

I've only run into this at places that have entertainment. When I have not wanted the extra drink I usually end up paying $5 or $6 for a watered down coke. I would check back in a few months and see if the policy holds

Has anyone tried mixing with Hennessey Black. I'm not sure if it is adulterated with Boise or not but it is 90 proof and I think it has better depth than 1840. I've sipped it a few times. I'm not sure if I like it but I do find it interesting.