Richland Single Estate Old Georgia

So this is a VERY different rum. In fact the only thing close to it even slightly is Agricole. And there is some debate whether this rum is in fact an Agricole. Regardless, it is certainly better than the Agricoles I have had, though it is unique in its taste profile.This is extremely oaky and similar to Bourbon in many respects even though it is definitely rum. The current 7.6 rating could be accurate even if it takes a complicated route to get there.

As I understand it Richland basically recreated a colonial era rum distillery in south Georgia where rum was produced in colonial times in America. Richland rum is a single estate rum meaning that the sugar cane, the distilling process, the barreling and aging, and bottling of the rum all occurs on a single plot of land in southern Georgia. Richland by accounts adheres to mostly colonial era standards and thus has no additives or added sugars. It is aged in virgin White Oak casks and that becomes very apparent. Moreover, unlike most rums, Richland uses the colonial era method of making the rum directly from unrefined sugar cane syrup as opposed to molasses or sugar cane juice. The result is unique, at least to my knowledge though closest to Agricole by definition. It is, seemingly, history brought to life in that this rum is probably the closest thing you can find to what buccaneers and pirates drank in the 17th and 18th centuries.

As far as the taste goes here is what I found:
The nose is caramel, vanilla, lemons, and oak. First taste is straight lemon-drops with sour candy notes. Mid palate is almost overpowering intense oak with just a hint of vanilla. Aftertaste is almonds, caramel, grassy notes and a very pleasant warmth. This is clearly a rum but with a lot of bourbon undertones. I dislike the intensity of the oak and harshness in bourbons. This rum is exceedingly smooth with no harshness or burn, though it does have very intense oak notes. In some respects it has a lot of the attributes of the Agricoles (citrus and almond notes) but I can also very much understand the whiskey comparisons given the amount of oak notes. At any rate, it is certainly much smoother than most whiskies on my palate. It reminds me of a perfect marriage between an Agricole and a Bourbon but without the harshness of either of those spirits. It is certainly more enjoyable than either. It is a decent enough sipping rum if you want a change of pace close to a bourbon experience but still want rum.

Overall this is a unique experience. Given the flavor profile: its intense oak, lemon, and grassy notes, I shouldn't like this rum...yet I do. It presents a change of pace. It contains all the attributes that I enjoy of French style rums and all the notes I enjoy in a bourbon but with none of the harshness.

In total it is like sipping an exceedingly smooth cross between an Agricole rum and a Bourbon.

It is probably not a rum that I will turn to often, but one that will definitely remain in my cabinet when I want something different. You could absolutely substitute it for bourbon drinks and it is what I offer my friends who are bourbon drinkers. Thus far they have loved it. Yet it is also unmistakably rum.

I want to rate this an 8 but it is too expensive and the white oak is just slightly too intense for my personal taste (even if it is exceptionally smooth).

*Update* This rum makes an absolutely unbelievable Old Fashioned. In fact it was better in an Old Fashioned than a high quality Bourbon I had bought for that very purpose. I have heard that more recent bottles have more traditional bajan style Rum characteristics so I look forward to getting a bottle from a later barrel number

Nose: 7
Palate: 6
Aftertaste: 7
Smoothness: 6
Versatility: 8
Price: 6

Total: 6.6