What Rum Do You Drink Neat?

[CL]

I have had a few specialty rums, but, I really know very little about rum. I came across Appleton Estate 12 yo here in NC and have stuck with it.

With warm weather ahead, what rum do you like?

[ratcheer]

For drinking straight, I have a strong affection for Mt. Gay Eclipse Sugar Cane Brandy. I think it is from Barbados. I haven't had any for several years (about 10).

Tim

[SteelerFan]

You might want to try Flor de Cana "Centenaro" 12 yr old I was in Honduras two weeks ago and this was a very

popular rum. $12 in Honduras, $25 - $30 in the states.

[Speedy_John]

I'm not a big rum fan, but recently I received a sample of Zaya rum and was quite taken with it. It didn't have the burnt rubber notes that I get from many aged rums. Very smooth, complex and dangerously drinkable

SpeedyJohn

[pepcycle]

CL,

I was trapped by marketing hype and bought a "new" rum. Its called Cayopa. I read about it in Barbados, but couldn't acquire in the duty free stores. I bought it when I got back home. The bottle has music chip in the base that plays Caribbean music. This rum is dark, strong, mellow, and extremely smooth, but not worth $40. I've had it neat and on the rocks. I probably won't buy again, but had to try it once.

[texascarl]

For sipping neat I prefer Bacardi 8 Anos, a smooth blend of rums at least 8 years old. Like most rum, it's aged in used oak barrels (old bourbon oak barrels never die, they just move south and help to mellow out the rum). Dark golden color, a light molasses/vanilla nose. Very smooth & sweet, 80 proof. Fine served in a snifter, but make mine on the rocks, twist of lemon with a coke or ginger beer, back. I also like Ron Bacardi Anejo, Solera and Select bottlings, all tasty & reasonably priced. I usually have all of these on the rum shelf.

Appleton Estate premium, VX and Extra are nice. Usually a good buy, I keep one or 2 bottles around here. I haven't tried their 21 year old, tho'. Saveur did a nice little write up on them.

For sipping neat I like dark rums or black rums like the Bacardi Select, above. These black rums have a deep, rich taste, with ice and lemon/lime they're a good sip. My old stand-by was Myers but my recent preference is Gosling's Black Seal.

Haitian Rhum Barbancourt is another dark favorite, the older (5 star = 8 years) is better & worth the extra $$$ IMHO.

I'll watch for the Flor de Cana recommended, I've heard good reports on it. I'm also watching for Prichards rum, made in Tennessee. They use Louisiana 'first grade A fancy' molasses, and new oak 15 gallon barrels (charred). I think most of us would agree there's something to be said for aging spirits in new charred white oak.

[Gillman]

Interested in your expression, "ginger ale or coke, back". I haven't heard the expression "back" used that way. I have heard Americans in Canada order a "waterback", or "side of water". Canadians do not use these terms although our bartenders understand them. Does, "coke, back" mean a drink of coke taken separate from the liquor, not in it? Why "back", does that mean, to chase, so to follow a swallow of straight liquor?

Cy

[CL]

Thanks for the info, Carl. I will have to keep an eye out for some of the suggestions.

Using your URLs, I went to the Appleton's site and saw that what we get in NC is the Special and the Estate VX. I buy the VX, but have never had the Special. And it was the 21 yo that I've had at Bahama Breeze in Raleigh. (They have a Bahama Breeze in Louisville, near St. Mathews, I believe.)

I also have a bottle of Goslings and drink it when I want a heavier rum.

<edit>

I just checked the WV spirits catalog. It includes the AE Extra and AE 21 yo.

<end>

[MurphyDawg]

Nothing fancy, mostly I drink Gosling's Black Seal when having rum.

TomC

[texascarl]

If I understand your question...yes, ordering "rum with a coke, back" is asking for "rum with a coke chaser". Coke served in a separate glass, and sipped after you sip the rum.

[LeNell]

You should check out Pyrat XO. This stuff rocks. When I take a break from bourbon as a nightcap, this is what goes down the hatch. Vanilla, caramel smooth yumminess. Comes in handblown glass bottles. A Barcardi sales rep actually introduced me to it, saying he thought it was better than any Barcardi product he had ever tried.

[tommy]

I know we state-run alcohol people whine a lot, but I'll go there again. Waahhh! Just another spirit VA doesn't think I should try. On the bright side, I can have all the Cabana Boy Pineapple Coconut rum that I want.

[TNbourbon]

There is a relatively new rum made right here in Tennessee (a county away from JD and Dickel, but in the same general neighborhood) called Prichard's that's distilled from Louisiana cane molasses and is promoted for drinking neat. It ain't bad! I also have the Cruzan 5yo Estate Diamond rum on hand.

[Dave_in_Canada]

I learned something today! I didn't know that people actually drink their rum neat. Something I'd like to try if there were any specialty rums available here.

[pepcycle]

Check this thread.

Prichard's Rum

[LeNell]

Darn! Don't see it listed in the BevMedia wholesale guide here. Hmmmm...wonder if I could get some of that distributed here?

[gr8erdane]

I second the nomination on Pyrat XO. The reason I opted for it the first time was that it had just a regular cork stuck in the top of the hand blown bottle. Never mind all the frilly ribbons. When I tried it, I was amazed. Move over Captain Morgan, the Pyrat sinks the Pirate easily.

[TNbourbon]

Check out Prichards' website -- it seems not to have been updated for a while, but I know it's still operating; there was a big splash in the Tennessean newspaper recently.

Also, Ministry of Rum provides a description.

[LeNell]

Thanks for that link. I emailed them about NY distribution. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

[wrbriggs]

I've been enjoying some Cruzan Estate Single Barrel rum. I have heard great things about the Appleton brand, but have only been able to try their V/X bottling, which is probably better as a mixer than drunk neat.

[ratcheer]

My favorite that I have ever had is Mt. Gay Sugar Cane Brandy from Barbados. It has been several years since I had any and all I can remember is that it was very yummy and smooth. ("Yummy" is a technical term )

Tim

[Gillman]

I plump for Gosling from Bermuda, which has a very deep, molasses flavour with accents that remind me of cardomon and other curry-like spices. A fine dram.

Gary

[LeNell]

The Prichards made it to NY. We got the Sweet Georgia Belle Peach Mango Liqueur and the dark rum. The dark rum smells like buttered pecans to me.

[TNbourbon]

Let us know what you think. I think it's a fine drink neat.

[wadewood]

Inner Circle Green Dot and 23 YO Ron Zacapa Centenario!