Versailles Demerara Rum 1985

[Soren Nielsen]

Hi,

Since this is my first post on these forums, allow me to introduce myself.

I am a 25 year old civil engineer from Denmark who ever since a friend bought

me a Barbancourt 5-star on a trip to LA, has been a huge rum fan.

Unfortunately, in Denmark very few interesting rums are available.

Believe it or not, the only Rhum agricole available here is Clements

Rhum Vieux, bottled in France (which I love, but still!!)

Since I am pretty "green" in the rum area, I have a few questions I hope you

will be able to shed some light on.

I recently enjoyed a rum called Grande Reserve Plantation Rum from Barbados,

which is made from cane juice. I find the taste rather similar to the

(more expensive) Clement Rhum Vieux.

As far as I know, rhum vieux/agricole is characterized by being made from cane syrup

instead of cane juice, but are there any other differences between the two? It seems

to me that cane juice and syrup are essentially the same thing.

Since Barbancourt is also made from cane juice and that rum has a substantially different

taste, I am beginning to wonder if any general assumptions about taste can actually be

made based on source product (juice, syrup, molasses)?

Also, the label on the Plantation rum states that this is an "Artisanal rum". I believe

I have seen that term on other bottles, but does it mean anything, eg. regarding

fermentation/distillation?

Yesterday I stumbled upon a rum called "Berry's Own Selection versailles Demerara Rum, 1985".

It holds 57% abv and looks very intriguing, but carries a price tag of 100$ so I was hoping

someone on this forum has tried this rum and knows if its worth the price?

Also, does "Demerara rum" only refer to the region (Guyana,Berbice and Essequibo) or does it mean

a different type of cane was used compared to the rest of the caribbean?

[Jason Perlow]

Agricole is made of Cane Juice. Rhum Industriel (or Industrial Rum) is made from molasses, which about 95 percent of the world's rum is made from.

"Artisanal" means small production but it is not an officially used term that is regulated in any way.

Demerara refers to the region in Guyana, yes.

[Rene]

Coincidental, I am working on an update of Rumpages which includes 5 bottles of Plantation Rum. At the end of the week, it will be there.

[Ed Hamilton]

I will tell you with confidence that Plantation Barbados rum is made from molasses and not sugar cane juice, though molasses is made from sugar cane juice.

[Soren Nielsen]

Wow, if that is the case, then the statement on the label "Made from 100% pure sugar cane juice" may be technically true, but I find it misleading at best. I still have a lot to learn

[Rene]

I tasted the Barbados Rum some days ago. No way this is pure cane syrop as in Martinique.

[Ed Hamilton]

Barbancourt is made from sugar cane syrup but rhum agricole is made from fresh sugar cane juice. Another difference is that Barbancourt is distilled to a higher proof than rhum agricole.