Floating pieces in bottle


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Pajolatax πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ώ | 0 ratings Author Posted 22 Dec '17

Hello, I hope that someone can help me. Today I decided to buy some good rum and based on reviews here I pick Presidente 15 year. I am happy and eager to try it but after inspecting bottle against light, I found there are tiny pieces floating around, not many but they are clearly visible. So I want to ask if its normal for aged rum or should I return the bottle ?
JO
Joseph Blossman πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ | 40 ratings Replied 26 Dec '17

Hello, this actually happens all the time especially with wines. When a bottle is stored for long periods of time, and has a cork sealing the bottle, it should be stored on its side to keep the cork from dry rotting. All it is is bits of dried cork floating in the bottle, and they are harmless. However if you like you can use a spoon to fish them out. I hope this helps you out my friend.
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Tom πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ | 230 ratings Replied 27 Dec '17

It could be possibly just a natural part of the aging and bottling process also. I have a bottle of Tiburon rum from Belize that has tiny particles floating around in it.
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Keith Brockmiller πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ | 27 ratings Replied 27 Dec '17

Not to mention, any critters will be killed by the alcohol. I don't believe booze is returnable anyway, especially if it's opened. If it tastes bad, don't drink it.
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Kamamura πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ώ | 37 ratings Replied 28 Dec '17

This happened to me a few month ago. I purchased an Uitvlugt Demerara rum bottled by Companies Des Indes from a local rum shop, and upon pouring the first glass, I have found out that there are tiny particles floating in the rum. There was really a lot, and after examining the synthetic cork, it was clear that it was partially disolved by the overproof alcohol, either because it was stored improperly on the side (the liquid should never touch the cork, unlike in case of wines, because strong alcohol can dissolve it), or because improper materials were used when manufacturing the cork. I brought the bottle back to the shop, demonstrated the defect as well as the fact that I consumed only a small glass, and we came to an agreement that I took another bottle of similar price instead (the local small seller obviously cares about their local customers willing to buy expensive independent bottlings). The seller also checked other bottles of the same batch, and all had the same problem. I think it was a major blow for them. Generally speaking, particulate matter flowing in the rum is not acceptable at all. Rum should be a clear liquid, or, if chill filtration was not used, it can be slightly hazy, but that's all. "Critters killed by alcohol" would indicate serious flaw in the production process and/or q/a process, and is IMO a reason for taking it back to the seller. It's also not a "natural part of the aging", properly prepared and maintained barrels should not release wooden splinters into the liquid. If the producer takes "shortcuts" in aging and puts wooden chips into the distillate to speed up aging, he should be careful enough to filter everything out prior to bottling. In conclusion, it's not acceptable at all. I would take the bottle back to whoever sold it to you.
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Nathan πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ | 35 ratings Replied 28 Dec '17

I would change it for a new bottle. No reason not to if you're going back to a store rather than having to mail. It's a nice rum in the same sort of group as Diplomatico RE, El Dorado 12, third in that order and nicer than Ron Abuelo which I wasn't keen on. Try Ron Millonario next mate, the straw bottle, lovely stuff.
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Keith Brockmiller πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ | 27 ratings Replied 28 Dec '17

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Pajolatax πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ώ | 0 ratings Author Replied 31 Dec '17

Thanks everyone for replies, I decided to open the bottle and rum taste great. Happy New Year folks!
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Nathan πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ | 35 ratings Replied 31 Dec '17