Tag: pot still

Down Island Spirits Jamaican HD 2012 Rum

Monday, April 17, 2023 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

The limited edition single cask rum series from Mike Streeter’s Down Island Spirits company includes this ten year aged Jamaican HD 2012 expression, a classic pot still distillate made from fermented molasses at the legendary Hampden Estate distillery in Trelawny.

One of the lightest rums produced at the facility, the OWH marque (named for Outram W. Hussey) is considered a common clean style with ester levels in the range of 40-80 grams per hectoliter, far below the pungent venerable DOK marque at more than 1500.

Down Island Spirits Jamaican HD 2012

This Spirits Jamaican HD 2012 rum rested in toasted American oak in Jamaica for three years before transfer to Liverpool for an additional seven years.

It was bottled in Florida at the cask strength of 60% ABV.

Jamaican HD 2012 Rum Tasting Notes

Aromas of ripe fruit and cigar box lead to leather with hints of cacao, vanilla and caramel. On the palate, big warm bread pudding, ripe banana, treacle and baking spices precede toasted oak and a lingering musk. The finish is long, warm and dry, with echoes of fruit and bitter wood tannins lasting quite a while.

Hampden Estate

A visit to the distillery is an opportunity to go back in time, with legacy methods in place that deliver the endearing signature hogo style of yesteryear. The cedar fermentation tanks are alive with slow fermentation, emitting rich aromas of ripe fruit. The nearby muck pits contain past wash, rich in bacteria and acids that will enliven the next batch run through the legacy pot stills.

Unlike Appleton and Clarendon, there is no column still here; all the rum at Hampden Estate is made in batches, the old fashioned way.

Limited Availability

Only 238 bottles of this Jamaican HD 2012 rum were produced, so rum enthusiasts will want to keep an eye open for it, most likely at retailers known for their fine collections; and also directly from the Down Island Spirts web site. The 750ml package, bottled at a hefty 60% ABV, sells for $95.

https://www.downislandspirits.com/rums/

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Mount Gay Master Blender Collection Pot Still Rum

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 / Robert Burr / 2 Comments

One of master blender Trudiann Branker’s first projects at Mount Gay was the release of the limited edition Master Blender Collection Pot Still Rum, with only 4,920 bottles. This expression was well received among rum enthusiasts almost immediately and earned some notable awards soon after release.

The Mount Gay Legacy

The distillery for Mount Gay has a storied reputation for producing fine rum using a collection of traditional McMillan and Fragasa double retort copper pot stills — along with more efficient column stills installed a century ago.

traditional McMillan and Fragasa double retort copper pot stills

a Pure Pot Still rum from Mount Gay, aged ten years in whiskey oak barrels

These distillates are artfully combined with expertise to balance their respective best qualities. The vast majority of Mount Gay rums are blends of these two types of stills, matured in oak barrels in the aging warehouses at the distillery.

Two unique aspects of the their legacy production techniques are the indigenous yeasts of Barbados and the supply of fresh artesian water from a deep well on the property.

A Unique Pot Still Product

This boutique Master Blender Collection pot still-only product was distilled in 2009 and aged for ten years before a second maturation of six months in ex-whiskey casks, emphasizing the rich and more rustic flavor profiles of these traditional copper pots in comparison to the tall column stills.

Mount Gay master blender Trudiann Branker’s first release is the Pot Still Rum

This is not the first time Mount Gay has released a pure pot still rum, — and hopefully it won’t be the last. But, it’s the first time they claim an age statement on the label of a pure pot still rum, and its the first signature release by master blender Trudiann Branker.

Premiumization

The Mount Gay distillery has a large stock of aged pot still rums to use in their blends. Eclipse, Black Barrel, XO and the elite 1703 expression have seen increases in the percentage of these well aged pot still components as they inch these expressions forward in the plan for premiumization.

Tasting Notes

Initial aromas of bold dried fruit, chocolate and musty oak dominate before herbal and floral notes, palm blossoms, damp earth and snuffed candle. On the palate, a very dry entry heats up fast, lead by charred oak, bitter vanillin and burnt sugar before a long lasting bitter cacao note in the finish.

This rum is reminiscent of the rustic and hearty rums from the old Caroni distillery in Trinidad.

Limited Availability

Mount Gay’s limited edition Pot Still Rum from master blender Trudiann Branker was aged for ten years in American Whiskey casks before bottling at a robust 48% abv. The 750ml bottle sells for about $150, available mainly on the island of Barbados and a few select markets.

https://www.mountgayrum.com/

read more about the Mount Gay copper pot and column still rums

visit the Mount Gay Rum Facebook page

Diplomático Distillery Collection Number 3 Pot Still Rum

Monday, January 6, 2020 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

The third expression in the Distillery Collection — Diplomático Pot Still Rum defines and delivers the rich essence of Diplomático’s signature style.

The distillery in La Miel, Venezuela has a long history of producing fine rums, using traditional copper pot stills, as well as batch and column stills. This expression highlights the classic John Dore copper pots — originally used in Scotland to produce whisky — that provide the heart of robust and delightful flavor in the various blends.

Here, isolated for reference, is the pot still component, made from sugar cane honey in a long fermentation cycle, before resting in small American white oak casks for eight years.

At 47% ABV, the rich, deep and complex flavor profile easily embodies this higher proof spirit with a fine balance. The resulting intensity earns Diplomático Pot Still Rum a reputation as a fine sipper or a potent component in any classic cocktail.

Tasting Notes

The deep amber color signals a well rested spirit. Aromas of sweet fruit cake and vanilla are accented by toasted oak, smoked honey, caramel and dark fruit. On the palate, a dry entry of charred oak, coffee and cocoa leads to a suggestion of burnt sugar and toffee before ripe dark fruits linger in the long, complex, warm finish.

This limited edition Diplomático Pot Still Rum — Number 3 in the Distillery Collection — bottled at 94 proof, is available throughout the USA with a list price of about $79.

http://rondiplomatico.com/

Stolen Overproof Rum launching in key U.S. markets

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 / Robert Burr / 2 Comments

Known for their clever approach to marketing, Stolen Spirits announces the release of their Stolen Overproof Rum across the United States in key markets.

Discovering Stolen Overproof Rum

Stolen discovered this rum at a historic, family-run distillery in Jamaica that’s over 250 years old.

Stolen Spirits’ Overproof rum from Jamaica is produced in a traditional pot still from a legacy distillery.

In their time-honored Jamaican style, the mash ferments for seven days in a selection of 50 different cedar vats, developing a bold, rich and complex flavor profile. Traditional copper pots are used to distill the rum in a rustic manner, before a six year maturation in used whiskey barrels.

Stolen Overproof Rum is bottled at 123 proof (61.5% abv) and presented in half-size 375ml bottles with a suggested list price of about $20.

Tasting Notes

Stolen Overproof Rum offers aromas of bold charred oak and pepper over ripe banana, leading to funky juicy fruit. On the palate, a bold entry of butter, vanilla and oak develops a bouquet of fruit in the dry mid-palate with hints of tart citrus, soft pear, black banana and a touch of treacle in the long finish.

A Handcrafted Rum

“We consider ourselves to be extremely fortunate to have discovered this remarkable product. It’s rare to find a handcrafted rum of this proof and quality that’s been aged for six years,” said Samira Seiller, Global Managing Director of Stolen Spirits.

Stolen Overproof Rum is a limited release, with only 60,000 of the half-size 375ml bottles available.

About Stolen Spirits

Other notable releases from Stolen Spirits include the Stolen Smoked rum.

The brand began in 2010 when two rum fanatics gave up the corporate grind to pursue their passion in Auckland, New Zealand. Stolen Spirits products are currently available in Australia, New Zealand, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Tennessee, with more states coming online soon.

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Florida Mermaid aged rum from Weeki Wachee

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

From Weeki Wachee, Florida — the enchanted land of mermaids and manatees — NJoy Distillery produces their Wild Buck American Rye Whiskey and Florida Mermaid aged rum.

The production facility is located on an 80 acre farm in the middle of the 40,000 acre Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area park. The distillery is cleverly hidden a remote portion of Florida’s west coast.

A tasteful blend of Florida and Jamaican rums brings bold flavors to Florida Mermaid rum.

NJoy’s Florida Mermaid aged rum from Weeki Wachee is a blend of Florida rum and pot still aged rum from the Caribbean.

Combining three year old Florida rum with a high ester Jamaican pot still marque, the blend is further rested in the Wild Buck Whiskey barrels for 90 days. The result is a delightful sipping rum that also makes great cocktails.

Tasting Notes

The nose begins with bold aromas of black banana, flowers and butter. Next, vanilla and almond emerge over oak with a big funky fruit basket. On the palate, complex esters offer a delightfully fruity astringent entry that evolves to big warmth in the mid-palate. Wood and brown butter dominate before some baking spice as the finish slowly fades.

Florida Mermaid rum is bottled at 100 proof (50% abv). It’s available at the distillery near Weeki Wachee (7237 Wild Buck Road) as well as liquor stores in Central Florida.

Awards

Awards include Best in Class and Best in Category at American Distilling Institutes Spirits Competition in San Diego. Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Best in Aged Overproof Rum Category. And Silver at the American Craft Spirits Competition in 2016.

The 750ml bottle retails for $39.95.

See the Robs Rum Guide listing for Florida Mermaid Rum.

St. Augustine Rum debuts in Florida

Monday, August 24, 2015 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

The inaugural Discovery Series of rums will soon debut at Florida’s St. Augustine Distillery. On Thursday, September 3rd, the public will be invited to purchase the first bottles of St. Augustine Rum from the distillery’s gift shop, located on Riberia Street in downtown St. Augustine, Florida.

A limited series of St. Augustine Rum craft expressions will be released on the following schedule: Series 1 in September, Series 2 in October, Series 3 in November and Series 4 in December. The St. Augustine Distillery’s flagship rum (or final recipe) is slated for a January 2016 release.

St. Augustine Rum - A limited series of craft rum expressions will be released by the St. Augustine Distillery in the last months of 2015, before the final version of this new rum debuts in January.

The historic St. Augustine distillery will debut their new pot still rum with a series of limited edition expressions. The rums will also be featured at their Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant.

Each of these limited editions has been fermented and distilled on-site by Director of Production Brendan Wheatley from select regional sugarcane syrups and molasses in copper pot stills and then barrel-aged for a distinct flavor profile.

“We want our customers to have the unique chance to experience each of these different St. Augustine Rum recipes as we refine our flagship rum,” said co-founder and CEO Philip McDaniel. “This opportunity is very unique and only available at a craft distillery like ours.”

The production facilities are located in the restored historic Ice Plant, featuring a gift shop, restaurant and bar. Large numbers of tourists flock to the facility daily for a presentation in the small theater, followed by tours of the distillery and tasting sessions every half hour. The tour ends with a visit to the gift shop.

The Ice Plant bar and restaurant are also extremely popular, offering a first-class cocktail program developed by Zach Lynch, a talented mixologist and master bartender. The restaurant menu features farm-to-table cuisine with grass-fed beef and burgers, local seafood and vegetarian options among the daily specials.

The St. Augustine Distillery is open for tours Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. The restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner from 5 to 10pm, and lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday. The bar is open from 11:30am to midnight on Sunday and Monday, until 2am the rest of the week. Call 904-825-4962 or visit the web site.

Tag: pot still

Down Island Spirits Jamaican HD 2012 Rum

Jamaican HD 2012 Rum Tasting Notes

Hampden Estate

Limited Availability

Mount Gay Master Blender Collection Pot Still Rum

The Mount Gay Legacy

A Unique Pot Still Product

Premiumization

Tasting Notes

Limited Availability

Diplomático Distillery Collection Number 3 Pot Still Rum

Tasting Notes

Stolen Overproof Rum launching in key U.S. markets

Discovering Stolen Overproof Rum

Tasting Notes

A Handcrafted Rum

About Stolen Spirits

Florida Mermaid aged rum from Weeki Wachee

Tasting Notes

Awards

St. Augustine Rum debuts in Florida

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