New Rum Review: Westerhall Estate
Greetings, folks!
Today I’m back with a rum from the island of Grenada. This one is actually a sourced rum that is aged and blended by the folks at Westerhall Estate. It’s a nice example of a solid rum that’s good enough for sipping, yet plays well with others in cocktails.
Cheers,
Josh
A Look at the Lost Spirits Rapid Aging System
Greetings, folks!
Today we take a detour from rum reviews to report on a recent field trip to Lost Spirits’ hilltop lab where history is made, and time is perpetually on fast forward. You may have read the press release on their THEA One rapid alcohol aging system, but let’s add a bit of context and even taste some of the booze produced through this novel process.
Check out the article: Alcohol Production in the Fourth Dimension, A look at Lost Spirits’ THEA One Reactor, a time machine for booze.
Cheers,
Josh
New Rum Reviews: Kōhana Hawaiian Agricole Rum
Aloha kakou!
As I attempt to keep you up-to-date with all the new rums coming on the market, I thought it high time to look at an exciting new agricole style rum coming out of Hawaii called Kōhana. I recently received three expressions of this tasty rum, and thoroughly enjoyed them all. In addition to reading the reviews, you’ll also learn a bit of ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language) in the process. Click here to read the article.
Huli pau!
-Josh
Have you ever wanted to develop a new take on the classic Piña Colada? Well, here’s your chance to do so and win as much as $800 in the process!
In conjunction with the The Rum Lab and the California Rum Fest, we’re calling all NorCal tropical ‘tenders to submit recipes for the contest, which is graciously sponsored by Real Cocktail Ingredients and Don Q Rum.
Submit your recipes via email and get ready to compete in-person at Forbidden Island on Friday afternoon, September 11, 2015!
For entry information, read the official rules here: http://bit.ly/RumColadaContestRules
Email your entries and questions to rumcolada@gmail.com
This will be a great kick-off for the California RumFest, which will be held the very next day, Saturday, September 12 at the Terra Gallery in San Francisco.
Oh, and I’ll be running the competition at Forbidden Island, so you get to hang out with me (sorry about that part).
Planning to join us? Let us know on the Facebook event page here.
Wishing you all the best of luck,
Josh
New Rum Reviews: Mezan Jamaica & Panama
At long last, I’m back with more rum reviews. Today we take a look at an exciting new rum line called Mezan. The differentiation for this line comes less from what it is, and more of what it isn’t: messed with. No sugar, no caramel color–just water to proof. And unlike some rums from Berry Bros or Samaroli, these won’t set you back $100+ a bottle. OK great, but are they any good? Read the review and find out!
Cheers,
Josh
What’s the Best Cachaça for a Caipirinha?
Much like rhum agricole from the French West Indies, Brazil’s national drink is distilled from fermented sugar cane juice, but it’s not called rum, it’s called cachaça (ka-SHAH-sa).
Here in the United States, cachaça has mostly been used to make Brazil’s most famous drink: the caipirinha, but open-minded bartenders are beginning to see beyond the caipirinha. These folks are embracing cachaça’s unique flavor profile and finding ways to incorporate this versatile spirit into a variety uniquely pleasing cocktail creations.
Bartender innovation notwithstanding, I still get a lot of folks who ask me “what’s the best cachaça for a caipirinha?” and until recently, I could only recommend a few brands. Seeking to expand my knowledge of sugar cane spirits from Brazil led me to our latest in the spirit challenge series, in which we blind taste every bottle we can acquire in a category and determine which tastes best.
So without further ado, let’s take the Cachaça Challenge!
New Rum Review: Joel Richard Esencia 25
Greetings, folks!
Today I bring you a unique 25 year-old rum from Colombia. When I first saw the bottle at Ledger’s Liquors in Berkeley, I immediately recognized it as a rum from Dictador, but as I would learn it’s actually a pet project of two spirits importers based in Los Angeles. Twenty-five years is a long time to age any type of spirit, so there’s bound to be a hefty price tag. The question is: is it worth it? Read my review and find out!
Cheers,
Josh
New Rum Review: St. Lucia Distillers 1931, Batch 3
Greetings, fellow rum lovers!
Today you’re in for a treat as we take a look at a very special rum from the island of Saint Lucia. The “1931” in this case refers to the year the Denis Barnhard founded his family distillery in Dennery–the 1931 marque was established to mark the 80th anniversary of its founding. Now in its third batch, I’m a bit late to this party, but there’s plenty left to discover about the beauty of what may very well be St. Lucia’s finest rum. Read the review here to learn more about this delicious offering.
Cheers,
Josh
New Rum Review: Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros
Greetings, rummies!
With the re-opening of relations between the United States and Cuba, it seemed like a good time to begin adding reviews of Cuban rums to the site. So today, we begin with an offering from Havana Club: Seleccion de Maestros. This offering sits between their 7 year-old and their 15 year-old rums, but it bears no age statement. Coming in at ~$50, I have pretty high hopes, however! Read my review here and find out if this is one to look out for.
Cheers,
Josh
New Rum Review: Tiburón
Greetings!
Today we have an unusual treat from a Caribbean nation known more for its tourism than its rum, but this offering might just change all that. Tiburón is a a tasty blend of rums between four and eight years of age, and tastes great on its own or in cocktails. Read the full review here and let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Josh
Inu A Kena 