|
I always thought "smooth" meant "easier to drink". Less of a punch is a good way to put it, I guess. I'll keep an eye out for the rums you suggested, thanks!
|
#
?
Aug 24, 2014 19:05
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 13, 2024 23:34 |
|
|
I wouldn't equate smooth with bland, a drink can be very good and flavouful etc. and still be smooth or rough.
|
|
#
?
Aug 24, 2014 19:11
|
|
|
Solumin posted:I think I'd like something a little smoother. Does the thread have any recommendations for a beginner with a limited budget? Recommendations for mixers, etc. are also welcome! Plantation 5 Year and Plantation Original Dark are in the $15-$20 range, and both are pretty tasty sippers. Coruba is also in that range, but I haven't tried it outside of a cocktail. It's great with some ginger beer, though. Cruzan Black Strap is great and available for as low as $12-$13, but it's more of a cocktail rum than a sipping rum, I think? It's thick and almost syrupy, and would be pretty intense neat or over ice. Devil Wears Wings posted:Thankfully rum hasn't gone through a price boom like whiskey, so you can find a ton of REALLY good ones for under $30. This is absolutely correct. For $30, you can get you a bottle of just about anything mentioned in the OP. I'd definitely recommend splurging on a bottle of Smith and Cross, which is the most unique rum I've tasted.
|
|
#
?
Aug 24, 2014 19:25
|
|
|
Solumin posted:I usually drink gin, but I've had some rum (mostly just rum and cokes made with Kraken) and various whiskys. I decided to try out more rums and, based on the recommendations of this thread, bought a bottle of Flor de Caña Añejo Oro 4 year. (Also, it's like $17 and I'm a poor grad student. I couldn't find the Extra Dry, or I would have picked that up instead.) Welcome to rum! I made a post recently in the whiskey thread about tasting spirits it might be helpful if you're interested in expanding your palette/vocabulary beyond "smooth" (which, by the way, usually means "low alcohol bite" and "doesn't finish too dry, usually because of some finishing sugar," at least in rum). Devil Wears Wings posted:The comparison with whiskey is fairly spot-on - a lot of rum is barrel-aged, so especially in older varieties you get a lot of that woody vanilla/spice. Also, "smooth" is kind of a vague word that's used mostly in marketing as a synonym for "bland," but if you mean you want something with subtler/less punchy flavors, then I can recommend Barbancourt 15, Abuelo 8, or - if you're in the mood for something different - a rhum agricole like Clement. But only the Ron Abuelo is under $30! The other rums you mentioned are great, but they're definitely pricey. cbirdsong posted:Plantation 5 Year and Plantation Original Dark are in the $15-$20 range, and both are pretty tasty sippers. Coruba is also in that range, but I haven't tried it outside of a cocktail. It's great with some ginger beer, though. This is more like it. Plantation Barbados Grande Reserve is the good move. Smitty is a maybe, but it might be a little bit hot on the palate for a beginning. However, with a bit of ice and water it could be made more approachable. El Dorado 5 year may also be to your taste. It's quite heavy on the toasted caramel notes, which might make it approachable.
|
|
#
?
Aug 24, 2014 19:57
|
|
|
Thanks! Your post is very helpful. I'll make sure to keep an open mind next time I'm sipping. I'll look for the rums you all mentioned next time I go to pick up a bottle, though the more expensive ones are going on the wishlist for now.
|
|
#
?
Aug 24, 2014 20:25
|
|
|
Unfortunately, Flor de Caña Extra Dry isn't available in my state. (I think I could've picked some up at Rehoboth, but I forgot about it--probably because I was dazzled at the opportunity to finally get Rothman & Baird's violet and apricot liqueurs.) My go-to is Cruzan, but what do you think of Appleton White? Unfortunately, I can't get Coruba, Havana Club, or Smith & Cross, either--another reason to take another vacation, I suppose.
|
|
#
?
Aug 25, 2014 03:17
|
|
|
Trip report, a couple weeks later: I really like rum. I've managed to pick out a couple of flavors in the Flor de Caña 4 yr I've been drinking. Kenning, your post on tasting whisky and rum is excellent.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 05:59
|
|
|
Yay! I love helping people enjoy spirits. I get so bummed out by people who just shudder when I bring up the flavors of alcohol, so it's very encouraging to hear that I helped someone have a good time drinking something I love. Some of the most fun I've ever had is sitting around with friends, drinking some weird rum or mescal or whatever, and just picking it apart.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 08:24
|
|
|
I need to control myself because I want to take it easy financially this month but I have my eye on a rum nation Panama 18 and an Eldorado 15. Must. Resist. My Zacapa 23 and Millionaro XO are more than enough to tide me over though. And I have an Appleton 12 that has a little bit left that needs to be dusted off. Hmmm... spankmeister fucked around with this message at 08:38 on Sep 3, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 08:36
|
|
|
Hey, comfort yourself with the thought that most old rums are overpriced and underflavored. Buy something young, cheap, and exciting instead. Like J Wray.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 08:59
|
|
|
Kenning posted:Hey, comfort yourself with the thought that most old rums are overpriced and underflavored. Buy something young, cheap, and exciting instead. Like J Wray. My choices depend on availability mostly because the rum market here is been developing over the last 5 or 10 years. Before it was only Bacardi, Havana Club and Captain Morgan, but nowadays there's a decent selection in specialist shops.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 09:45
|
|
|
Drank Batavia Arrack for the first time last night. Dang, that's a drinkable spirit.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2014 22:27
|
|
|
Spotted Mount Gay XO at Costco for $35. Considering that includes WA taxes it seems worth getting.
|
|
#
?
Sep 8, 2014 16:57
|
|
|
Absolutely that is a great price.
|
|
#
?
Sep 8, 2014 20:49
|
|
|
I saw that at Costco as well. Was gonna pick it up next trip.
|
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2014 00:43
|
|
|
Mount Gay XO seems to be on clearance in PA ($29), get it while the gettin's good.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2014 02:34
|
|
|
Added a bottle of Coruba to the stocks today after spotting in under NZ$40/litre. Similar to Nigar's experience, one of my co-workers looked physically repulsed by the sight of the label. (He got standing-up, fallin-down, puking-in-the-gutter drunk on it as a teenager.) Works as well as ever in a Rum-and-Coke. Welcome back, old friend!
|
|
#
?
Sep 11, 2014 08:48
|
|
|
Distorted Kiwi posted:Added a bottle of Coruba to the stocks today after spotting in under NZ$40/litre. Similar to Nigar's experience, one of my co-workers looked physically repulsed by the sight of the label. (He got standing-up, fallin-down, puking-in-the-gutter drunk on it as a teenager.) Funnily enough I picked up a bottle yesterday as well. I was so intrigued by the earlier discussion on it I did some research and found this: quote:Coruba is a brand of Jamaican rum owned by the J. Wray & Nephew company. It was developed for the New Zealand market, and was first exported there in 1967. It is distilled from molasses in a combination of pot and column stills, and aged in a solera system for at least two years. I guess that explains why it's dirt cheap and ubiquitous here, but somewhat unusual to find elsewhere. Gonna try it in some Planter's Punch tomorrow.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2014 05:42
|
|
|
What a weird market to develop for. I feel like you New Zealand cats are done a disservice by encountering Coruba as dumb teenagers. It really is excellent stuff.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2014 08:52
|
|
|
So, question, is Gosling Dark the best for dark and stormies?
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2014 16:34
|
|
|
I bought a Malteco 10 years from Guatemala today, on suggestion of the storekeeper. I'm not experienced in tasting spirits, but it is great for sipping neat. It starts out with a short but strong fruity taste, somewhat like semi-sour orange, which I definitely like.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2014 16:40
|
|
|
spoon0042 posted:Mount Gay XO seems to be on clearance in PA ($29), get it while the gettin's good. Thanks for this, I got the last bottle in the store where I went! Never had it before, it's kind of chocolatey. Bit of a sugar bomb, but that's nice sometimes.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2014 21:12
|
|
|
Tried a bit of half-assed Mixology tonight. Ended up with this; The Dark Star (name probably taken already, but I watch a lot of John Carpenter, so sue me.) 1 part Coruba 1 Part Mount Gay Eclipse 1 dash Jagermeister 1 dash Roses Lime Juice Stirred over ice, topped with all American Coca-Cola. (The drink of the free West!) The Jager gave it a little zing without making me fall over before dinner. Not bad. Will experiment further.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2014 12:37
|
|
|
bunnyofdoom posted:So, question, is Gosling Dark the best for dark and stormies? Eh, Gosling Dark is okay, but I find it doesn't really stand up to ginger beer that well--it kinda disappears in the drink, I've found. I prefer Kraken for mixing (super heavy molasses flavor) or Myer's (very fruity) if you're looking for mass-market available rums, but typically you can find other, smaller distillery offerings. I'm kinda into this Black Magic stuff that I picked up recently, but I hadn't seen it before I moved, so it might be a regional thing.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2014 18:27
|
|
|
Cruzan Black Strap is great in a Dark and Stormy.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2014 18:54
|
|
|
NIGARS posted:Coruba is a brand of Jamaican rum owned by the J. Wray & Nephew company. It was developed for the New Zealand market, and was first exported there in 1967. It is distilled from molasses in a combination of pot and column stills, and aged in a solera system for at least two years. Edit: I really don't know what to think of this stuff as I'm drinking it with just a bit of ice. It has a sweet, fruity, slightly funky aroma, but the flavour is spicy and medicinal. I'm new to drinking rum straight, but this is really baffling. Halloween Jack fucked around with this message at 05:37 on Sep 14, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2014 04:25
|
|
|
Halloween Jack posted:I'm drinking a Planter's made from Coruba right now. I had stopped by the liquor store to get some Irish whiskey for a wedding present and some Herbsaint for an anniversary present, and it was on the import shelf, $21 for a liter bottle. I'd have to say it's probably best appreciated as a mixer. Coruba and Coke, (just pour gently or you end up with a Guinness-like head of Coke-foam.) Jamacian Coffe, ginger ale/ginger beer. (with or without a squeeze of citrus). Their website suggests the Muddy waters, although I've never gotten a taste for rum and OJ. In fact, I've never tried it unmixed in my life. Which I shall now correct with the aid of a couple of icecubes. Intitial impression: Yep, fruity nose, obvious caramelly tones. 1st sip: Drier than I was expecting, mild alcohol burn. 2nd sip: Slightly woody/cedary flavour, medium finish, fairly smooth, almost a shade smokey. Overall: A lot more one-dimensional than my usual Appleton Estate sipping rum, less spiced but not unpleasant. But still a better cocktail rum, methinks. And now my wife is going to wonder why I have a drink in either hand on a sunday night. Research! Honest!
|
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2014 09:47
|
|
cbirdsong posted:Cruzan Black Strap is great in a Dark and Stormy. Ive used this and the Gosling Black seal and I find the Cruzan Black Strap to be the better of the two.
|
|
|
#
?
Sep 15, 2014 17:17
|
|
|
I particularly like Cruzan Black Strap when using a homemade ginger beer. If I'm using a commercial ginger beer then Cruzan is too sweet unless I dose it with a good amount of lime.
|
|
#
?
Sep 15, 2014 22:58
|
|
|
Hello rum thread! I'm well used to drinking all sorts of different liquors, but I've never gotten the hang of rum. For some reason it always, always makes my stomach super upset while no other spirit does unless I drink a ton of it. Is this sort of thing typically a result of drinking crappy rum, or do I just need to bite the bullet and acquire a tolerance to it?
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 02:38
|
|
|
Meldonox posted:Hello rum thread! I'm well used to drinking all sorts of different liquors, but I've never gotten the hang of rum. For some reason it always, always makes my stomach super upset while no other spirit does unless I drink a ton of it. Is this sort of thing typically a result of drinking crappy rum, or do I just need to bite the bullet and acquire a tolerance to it? Could just be a personal peculiarity, though I'd drink some good rum first to make sure.
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 02:49
|
|
|
Kenning posted:But only the Ron Abuelo is under $30! The other rums you mentioned are great, but they're definitely pricey. It's one of the best rums for a budget price, for sure. Never heard of an 8 year, but the 7 year is awesome and the 12 year is even better (although a little pricier). A friend of mine recently gave me a bottle of the Centuria (retails at $120 in CA) and it's an excellent sipping rum but I'm not sure it's worth the price.
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 03:25
|
|
|
Meldonox posted:Hello rum thread! I'm well used to drinking all sorts of different liquors, but I've never gotten the hang of rum. For some reason it always, always makes my stomach super upset while no other spirit does unless I drink a ton of it. Is this sort of thing typically a result of drinking crappy rum, or do I just need to bite the bullet and acquire a tolerance to it? Well, do you only ever drink crappy rum?
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 08:39
|
|
|
Kenning posted:Well, do you only ever drink crappy rum? Could be a personal reaction, though. Wine can affect people the same way. (A-OK with whites, massive headaches on a single glass of red and vice versa) I used to be able to shoot tequila all night and barely be drunk, let alone hungover. One Carlsberg Elephant beer and I was riding the Porcelain Express to Power-Chuck City. EDIT: Were you mixing it with anything? Could be the acidity in the mixer affecting you. Distorted Kiwi fucked around with this message at 10:26 on Sep 17, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 10:22
|
|
|
I am thinking of trying rum (after a long affair with Gin) but not spending a lot to start out. Out of Lambs spiced rum, Bacardi Oakheart, Appleton Special Jamacan Rum and Cockspur Fine Rum which is a better option (those are on special offer). If i get a taste I will move on to the better stuff
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 22:45
|
|
|
Kenning posted:Well, do you only ever drink crappy rum? Distorted Kiwi posted:EDIT: Were you mixing it with anything? Could be the acidity in the mixer affecting you. Stultus Maximus posted:Could just be a personal peculiarity, though I'd drink some good rum first to make sure. The last however many times I had it I wasn't the one buying or mixing, but I'm willing to bet it's probably just plain old Bacardi or an off-brand Captain Morgan lookalike with thick syrupy frozen mix concentrate. If nothing else I know I'm pretty sensitive to those gross Bacardi alcopops; it was the only thing a friend of mine had lying around at his place one morning in college, and I went from thirsty to deathly ill to a post-puke million bucks in less than fifteen minutes. Never again, especially on an empty stomach. I know back in college I bought and went through a thing of Cruzan in pretty short order without feeling crappy, but I figured I'd just gotten old since then. Guess I'll take the second post to the store with me on Friday and see if I can't find something that tastes good enough to justify getting sick if my guts don't take to it. I'll just have to decide by then if I want to get mixers or just drink it straight.
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 23:24
|
|
|
Foxtrot_13 posted:I am thinking of trying rum (after a long affair with Gin) but not spending a lot to start out. Out of Lambs spiced rum, Bacardi Oakheart, Appleton Special Jamacan Rum and Cockspur Fine Rum which is a better option (those are on special offer).
|
|
#
?
Sep 17, 2014 23:54
|
|
|
Meldonox posted:The last however many times I had it I wasn't the one buying or mixing, but I'm willing to bet it's probably just plain old Bacardi or an off-brand Captain Morgan lookalike with thick syrupy frozen mix concentrate. If nothing else I know I'm pretty sensitive to those gross Bacardi alcopops; it was the only thing a friend of mine had lying around at his place one morning in college, and I went from thirsty to deathly ill to a post-puke million bucks in less than fifteen minutes. Never again, especially on an empty stomach. Bacardi Breezers are sweetened to hell and back. 6.5 teaspoons of sugar, if the internet isn't lying to me. I'm guessing it isn't, because I wasn't able to finish a bottle onthe one time I was given one. I'd start with a smaller bottle of something decent, rather than go all out on a bottle you might end up having to give away. Or, y'know, stick to something you enjoy that doesn't make you feel like John Hurt in ALIEN. There's plenty of great spirits and liqueurs out there. Even if I'm yet to convince my friends that Benedictine isn't evil in liquid form.
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 08:37
|
|
|
Ron Zecapa 23 at Costco for $35. Picked up a bottle. All I have around here right now to compare it to is some Mount Gay standard and Cruzan Black strap. Cruzan isn't for sipping to me, it's too sweet / flavored, good mixer. The Zecapa has a hell of a nose and still a bite at the finish but smoother than the Mount Gay. I dunno if it was worth the $35 to get personally but I haven't tried as many as most of you in this thread.
|
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 20:54
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 13, 2024 23:34 |
|
|
Breaky posted:Ron Zecapa 23 at Costco for $35. Picked up a bottle. The 23 is a steal at that price point.
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 21:26
|
|