Wray & Nephew White Overproof

THIS IS NOT A SIPPER. But it is a terrific mixer in small amounts when you want to bring those classically Jamaican funky notes into a cocktail, and add a little bit of heat.

Original review 4/17:

You should know what you're getting into if you ask/reach for this rum. This ain't no Bacardi. You're going to get lots of funk, rotten bananas, rubber, and ethanol on the nose. Loads of fruit. The flavor... I can't really describe. There's so much going on! I love the concentrated flavor.

If this is an example of raw Jamaican distillate, it's easy to see why Jamaican rums (of any age) are so popular among rum aficionados. Like IPAs, they're a bit of an acquired taste, but they are almost unfailingly interesting, and more often than not, delicious.

I only had it neat, but I look forward to trying it in a Wray & Ting and other cocktails someday soon.

7+

Update 11/17: Screw it. This rum is so straightforward, tasty, and versatile, I'm giving it an 8. Not only does a little bit jazz up any cocktail, it does wonders when added to any 80-proof sleeper rums you have lying around gathering dust. I also vastly prefer the flavor profile (not the strength—the profile) of this to Rum Fire, though I'm still looking forward to trying Hampden Rum Bar Overproof sometime. (Update, I prefer this to RBO, but only just.)

8-

Update 12/19 - Rum Fire has grown on me quite a bit. The particular fruits it leans it leans toward in its profile are still not my favorite, but there's just something magic about it. It's taken the top spot for Jamaican white overproof in my book. I love Worthy Park but Rum-Bar Overproof just felt very lackluster in terms of funk, leaning more toward grassy. But they're all delicious :)

One of my favorite refreshing drinks is a Wray and Ting. This rum is funky, strong, grassy and hold up against other bold ingredients in a cocktail.

Quintessential Jamaican flavour bomb, although one dimensional

very delicious nose of tropical fruits, dominated by ripe banana and mango. These notes are also present at the first sip, however there is some little burn which I had expected to be much stronger given 63% alcohol. Extremly long finish. So here you have a very interesting price/value relationship. The rum is dominant but still fine at this alcohol degree. This rum certainly also makes a very good figure when used in cocktails.

While not called for in many mixed drinks as other overproofs (see: Tiki's endless love of 151 proof Demerara), this rum can certainly shine through in the right drink. Just don't make the same mistake I did when I started drinking rum and assume this is basically the same as any other white rum.

It's no wonder Jamaicans love it so much. The fruity scent and strong finish are enough to keep me making more mai tai's. Not to drink on its own, but in a fruity mix it earns the throne. If any cocktail calls for an overproof white ru, then this is the one. Two to thumbs up.

Always a pleasure. Smooth banana, grass and peas on the pallet. Cane and soil on the nose.

Knock ya socks off, but a staple of any rum bartenders arsenal. Taste is rather unique with a bit of banana flavour in there somewhere

The first overproof rum I tried, and the one I always keep on the shelf. It's aroma and flavor are unmistakable, perhaps a bit "headsy" but pungent and bright. Compared to it's brethren Rum Fire, this is far more versatile, a bit smoother, and also less costly. It packs a wallop of flavor that doesn't overpower the drink.

Don't waste your time drinking it neat. This is a solid base for anything calling for a white spirit or tequila. And for that, there is no better white rum than the W&N Overproof.