What rums do you dream of?


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KU
kudzey 🇵🇱 | 38 ratings Author Posted 2 Nov '21

The more we taste, the more curious we become of what's next. The prices go up and the market broadens, we have to admit we are not able to try each of the available rums. I'd like to know what rum you dream of. If you had a chance to try a single glass of any rum of your choice, for free, what would it be? 

 

I'll start by confessing that I'd probably pick Skeldon 1973. It's so expensive that getting it for free is a great bargain. It's extremely hyped, has outstanding ratings and I liked the El Dorado SWR. However, I think I wouldn't drink it immediatelly but save it untill I am more experienced. I haven't tried any of the legendary Demeraras yet. 

vomi1011 avatar image
vomi1011 🇩🇪 | 403 ratings Replied 2 Nov '21

Skeldon 1978 is the better one. It would be interesting to try, but it's not a rum that I wanted to drink more often. I know the tasting notes and because many have tried this rum, the tasting notes are very precise.

I would choose the Diamond 1988 59%, 51 bottles only.https://www.whorhumtheworld.com/post/velier-diamond-1988-18-ans-59

KU
kudzey 🇵🇱 | 38 ratings Author Replied 2 Nov '21

Wow, I didn't know such bottle was in existence! Are you picking it only for its rarity or because of flavours you expect?

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 2 Nov '21

My first bottle of Foursquare ECS Shibboleth is long gone and wound up as my all time top pick overall. I had one hell of a time finding my second bottle, which will remain closed until I can find my next bottle. So that one is my Holy Grail found near the end of my quest. I only go for whatever is available, but this one is damn hard to find. I can't even get Skeldon's over here, so there is no point in me even worrying about it. So yeah, I dream of finding another Shibboleth. If someone offered me a million dollars for my unopened bottle, I would tell them where to go.

vomi1011 avatar image
vomi1011 🇩🇪 | 403 ratings Replied 2 Nov '21

I heard from one who tried it, that it's even better than the SVW1996.

Therefore I would love to try it, but I think this will never happen.

KU
kudzey 🇵🇱 | 38 ratings Author Replied 2 Nov '21

Paul, are you not curious to try something new? It's a chance to find something better, even than what you've already known. If you hadn't tried the Shibboleth, it wouldn't have become your favorite. 

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 3 Nov '21

kudzey:

I was ready to give up before I lucked out in finding Shibboleth as a new release after four years and 420 reviews.  My last straw would have been my 421st review. It was called Izalco and was a 10 year rum from somewhere in Central America with none of the countries mentioned. That would have been a 5 rating for a $50 US rum. Before that, I wasted $231 US plus tax on the highly rated Diplomatico Ambassador only to watch it slowly slide down from my initial rating of 9 to my final rating of 6. Basically, it was time to admit that I was tired of getting screwed trying new rums. I have since tried 427 rums, but refuse to submit reviews beyond my magic number 420 (those legal Delta 8 hemp gummies stop me from dipping into my rums dead in it's tracks!!!). You are only just beginning your rum journey, so I understand your stance. At the height of my rum craziness, I made a 1300 mile round trip to get two bottles of Chairman's Reserve 1931 and quite a few others that I could not get at home. Was it worth it to celebrate getting vaccinated? Yes!!! Would I do that again just to find special rums? Hell no!!!!

In my 7 most recent rums beyond my 420 limit, only 1 wound up with my rating of an 8, Mount Gay XO Triple Cask. Stades 8 was also a good budget rum. For me, to keep submitting reviews is now nothing but a damn vicious cycle.  My spreadsheet is also a lot harder to keep updating. I will submit no more reviews.

TO
Toni 🇩🇪 | 36 ratings Replied 3 Nov '21

Don't you dare asking this intriguing questions kudzey! My gf will not agree with any further purchases this year. However on my secret list there is 1996 Caroni, Le Gust Demerara, high ester Hampdens( which I already have but not feel ready to try yet) and last but not least some original navy Rum. And of course la Filibuster is also on that list.

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 3 Nov '21

You asked what we dream about, and that's my answer. Cause I will probably never taste all the special releases from my favorite brands from Guadeloupe, which is Reimonenq and Montebello.

Jagsroy avatar image
Jagsroy (PREMIUM) 🇨🇦 | 288 ratings Replied 4 Nov '21

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 10 Dec '21

I had the pleasure of visiting J.Bally's distillery in Martinique  some time ago. We had a personal tour by the owner on a Sunday afternoon. The rum they produce is typical french RHUM. After the tour he took us to his private stash room and personally hand poured, straight out of the single cask, into a bottle, hand labeled, hand waxed the cork and then proudly put his stamp in the wax. We had the luck of obtaining 4 bottles of his rhum that had been aging for over 20yrs. He told us it was for his special customers only and would be glad to give us a bottle. After tasting this most delectable spirit we asked for a case. We bartered down to 4 bottles. It will forever be the best rhum/rum I will ever have unless I visit again. Believe me when I say you can never purchase the best over any counter anywhere. You need to be  at the right place at the right time or just keep praying!

KU
kudzey 🇵🇱 | 38 ratings Author Replied 10 Dec '21

Wow, Kevin, that is a great story. Glad to hear such adventures keep happening to people.

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 10 Dec '21

Kevin:

Great story, but I almost had a chance to try J. Bally's way back in December of 1992. When our cruise ship docked in the bay just off of Fort de France, I took a tender into town and bought a bottle of their rhum in the shape of a pyramid. It was probably a 3 to 7 year compared to one of those 10 types of bottles shown on this site. The English speaking merchant told me that I was not allowed to bring it back on board, presumably because having it in my cabin would cut into my bar tab on the ship. She told me that she would send it to the ship and they would give it to me at the end of the cruise. Guess what? I never got it, so I was ripped off. Those rhums are nowhere to be found anywhere near where I live. And back then, I could not have appreciated rhum agricoles. My favorite one is now J.M. Rhum 2008 10 Year, which I always keep on hand and it is worth every bit of $110 US.

Rene Rum avatar image
Rene Rum (PREMIUM) 🇨🇭 | 547 ratings Replied 11 Dec '21

A difficult question, there are so many rums to try. Already just all the old Caroni bottlings of different ages or rums from old Demerara distilleries like Enmore, Uitvlugt, Skeldon or Albion. Fully aromatic High Ester Rum not to forget. But also Rhum Agricole has a lot to offer and there are great bottlings.

The best rum is always the one you can afford and you have in the glass. But sometimes wishes come true.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 14 Dec '21

OK guys, here's another one! After our Martinique adventure we were sold on rum. We landed in Grenada and immediately searched for a distillery. We were told there's only one, River Antoine. Got directions and headed straight there. Upon arriving no one was there. We started poking around and an old man came out yelling " Hey, just what the hell do think your doing?" We were quite startled to say the least. We told him we found out in St. George about this place and wanted to tour it. He said "We don't  do tours". We told him we traveled all this way can we at least check the place out. He said "You got 5 minutes!" Well, it only took 5 minutes because it was a real small operation. He loosened up a bit and walked us through. We asked to buy a few bottles and he laughed. He said, "I don't sell retail!" Really? He said "Yep, but if you go into Grenville to a grocery shop they have it and you can buy it there. Now thanks for stopping by and please leave". We drove straight to the store and of course we made quite an entrance seeing the locals coming out of every corner. We entered the store looked around and found no rum?? We went to the front counter and asked. The guy behind the counter turned around and pointed to a blue 30gal. barrel. Shocked, we said we want a few bottles. He said " You need your own bottle". Perplexed we thought a minute and purchased a gallon jug of coconut water went outside, the crowd still lingering, and poured the contents into the street. We're not leaving without the rum! Went back in and had it filled. The clerk thanked us for the double purchase. On the way back to town we took a swig and let me tell u it was like breathing fire. Hell, this had to be close to 190 proof, no lie! And it tasted real good to boot. We need a mixer for this stuff! A case of Coke and we were back on the boat. Nobody remembers what exactly happened but no body had a hangover and the jug was empty! Arrrgh! Another rum moment never to be forgotten. Sorry if this is long but I believe very worthy of sharing.

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 15 Dec '21

Kevin:

That is a truly great story from Grenada!!!  I also spent one day on The Spice Island, but that was way back in February of 1991 before I was heavily into rum. They get lots of tourists these days, so that store that caused the locals to pop up out of nowhere must have been off the beaten track. That is true dedication to rum and you are damn lucky that no one got a king hell hangover. They like to add nutmeg to their rum punch down there, and often too much. Everyone wakes up sick as can be the next day with one awful hangover.

I have only tried two rums from Grenada and both are fairly hard to find: Clarke's Court Old Grog and Six Saints.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Paul, That all happened in 1989. The island had 1 resort few paved roads and 4 rental cars. We got the jeep. We sailed to over 15 islands and had one hell of an experience that convinced me that rum will forever be part of life. That was the best ovenproof rum I ever had! So clean, so fresh and perfectly sweet.Thanks to that experience I will not venture into the over proof world. I did try a few other brands but had vicious hangovers. Lesson learned! So, I'm good with typical 80 proof.

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin:

Just because of that absolutely wonderful overproof experience way back in 1989, that is no reason to rule out overproofs. I can especially recommend Plantation OFTD (which originally stood for Oh Fuck, That's Delicious from the panel of 7 experts who created it from about 15 different rums with no added sugar). The label now states Old Fashioned Traditional Dark to be politically correct.  I ALWAYS keep that one on hand!!!

I always did my island hopping down there from cruise ships, anywhere from vintage 1957  small ships before Coast Guard regulations took effect to one luxurious sailing ship with my own marble shower.  I always left the navigation and other chores to the pros and just enjoyed the rides. It was a great way to get a feel on which island I should return to on repeat visits, which wound up never happening due to time and money limitations. 

I swore never to go back to Jamaica after flying there solo in May of 1988, renting a car, and then driving from Mo Bay to Ocho Rios.  That was the second most dangerous thing that I had ever done in my life and you don't want to know the first! My ex-wife insisted on going there for our honeymoon cruise in 1996. Huge mistake! She video taped our ride back from Ochos Rios to Mo Bay and we saw all kinds of holes in the cobblestone walls that lined the Caribbean where crazy drivers had gone through to an unknown fate. When we got back to our cruise ship, we found out that we were among the very few bus loads of people not involved in severe accidents.

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin,

A really great story!

Just wonder if the rum in the barrel came from Rivers Antoine or if it was Moonshine.

 I think you should try to get the bottles from Rivers Antoine sold today. One at cask strength, said to be at 75% but could differ, and one diluted to 69%.

I have only tasted the diluted one, cause that's the one sold in EU, and it's the best white rum I've ever tasted.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Stefan, It wasn't moonshine. At least the moonshine I've had before. That rum smelled and tasted like freshly cut sugar cane!   We couldn't believe the kick it had seeing it's smell and taste were sooo good. It was definitly rum and at that time they were the only distillery on the island. I will try a bottle if I run across it but don't think it will compare. Although that was 30yrs ago.

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin,

My wondering about Moonshine was just as because there's said to be over one hundred so called Babash distilleries in Grenada that produces a few liters/day sold locally.

Todays bottled Rivers Antoine rum is extremely fresh and they say themselves that it's produced in the same way as when the distillery started up around 1785. The production methods makes that the strength and taste can differ a little from batch to batch.

About your writing that Rivers was the only distillery in the island ain't correct. Grenada Distillers Ltd, the producers of Clarke's Court rum, was founded in 1937. But maybe they weren't operating when you were there and that you therefore were told that the Rivers was the only one.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Well, you have a point but if that old man was just sending us we need to thank him because that was some real sugar cane distill and you could tell alotta thought and experience went into it. So I'm betting he sent us in the right direction. I have no idea why the locals said there was only one distillery but I'm glad they sent in that direction! I couldn't imagine  missing that experience! By the way there were 2 30gal barrels behind the counter. That doesn't sound small time or backyard to me.

 

 

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin,

Yes, I really envy you, you were enormous fortunate to had that experience.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Stephan, Yes, we all have those moments in life. I thank the rum gods for providing mine. Cheers! Oh, Paul has encouraged me to try the Plantation overproof. What are your thoughts comparing those two?

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

OK Guys, here's another rum adventure.  We sailed down the Mexican coast and docked in Chiapas, 10 miles from the Guatemala boarder.  I belong to a sailing club, the Panama Posse. Well, once arriving in Chiapas we met the head pirate there. He said, Look if you can stay 2 more days we're doing a Chiapas state tour and you can come along. I asked if rum was involved and he said "Aye!". So eventually we wound up at the local distillery. Low and behold they contract exclusively to Deadhead rum in the U.S. Never heard of them till now. So we did the usual tour and it was fabulous. Tasted their products and I found their ginger infused white rum outstanding! Their aged rum was good but this stuff was obliterating everything else. Now I'm a guy who likes golden aged rum but this rum smoked everything in their arsenal. I asked if it was available in the U.S.. They said no and couldn't understand why deadhead hadn't included it their line. We obtained 3 bottles at $12 US. You guessed it, that didn't make the morning news either. Just a damn good memory! Again absolutely no hangover! So, in my opinion the more you search the more you find and this pirate is on the hunt! ☠

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin,

Plantation O.F.T.D. compared with Rivers Antoine 69.

The Plantation is a molasses based blend consisting of both column and pot still rum from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica while the Rivers is a cane juice based pot still rum.

 I think that the Plantation is more of a mixer whilst the Rivers is great to sip neat. I've rated them them both after neat sipping and then gave the Plantation 6+ and the Rivers a 9, but it's of course all about personal taste.

You can check my ratings for more info.

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

Kevin:

Being that you are an avid sailor, you probably already view the weekly videos from SV Delos. I am not a sailor, but have been watching their videos since 2018 and live vicariously through them.   I made 200 dives on scuba from 1988 to 1998, which was all over the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, and the Louisiana oil rigs.  I let my passport expire in 2001 and no longer travel out of the USA.  I got tired of all of the third world bullshit.

One fond memory of rum from one of my diving cruises was recommending rum and water to my dive buddy. He loved it. It was Bacardi Anejo, when that was still available and decent.  I have my Plantation OFTD rated as an 8 and usually drink it on the rocks. It was created only a few years ago.

I am also probably the only one who has ever bruised both elbows falling down on the top deck of a dive yacht. It was just to save a bottle of Belikin Stout from Belize. We could not dive because we had 15 foot seas from Hurricane Marco off the coast of Cuba in 1996. On the way down to the deck, I repeatedly told myself, "Save the beer! Save the beer!".  As the stout was foaming from the top, the second mate suddenly turned the corner and wondered what in hell was the matter with me. Very little of that bottle was lost.

Stefan Persson avatar image
Stefan Persson (PREMIUM) 🇸🇪 | 507 ratings Replied 16 Dec '21

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 17 Dec '21

Stefan & Paul, Wow that 9 rating for Rivers is definitely on target! It's  the only rum I've ever had that truly tastes like cane sugar. But it's a hard find in NY. On my next trip to the one door store I will be grabbing a bottle of the Plantation. I drink my rum with 1 cube and it looks like Paul might just be on to something here. I pray for minimal hangover.

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 24 Dec '21

Stefan & Paul, One bottle of the OFTD left at the one door store. I immediately grabbed it. I see the difference between Planation and Rivers. Not knocking OFTD but there's so much blending going on  making it hard to distinguish it from other blenders. It is good and well worth the $28. That Rivers was over the top as far as my memory goes. Guess I need another voyage headed to Grenada. See my post for OFTD.

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 25 Dec '21

Kevin:

To the best of my memory, OFTD is comprised of 15 different and well chosen rum from all over the Caribbean and from the very best Tiki bartenders in the world. Give in another shot (litearlly).

 

KE
Kevin 🇺🇸 | 78 ratings Replied 23 Jan '22

Thanks Paul, I immediately purchased a bottle. Some mighty fine grog! Especially with a price tag of only $28. One of the reasons I like Plantation so much. Any more worthy advice is surely appreciated! 

Paul B avatar image
Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings Replied 24 Jan '22

Plantation OFTD also knocks out the first symptoms of omicron. I caught it on January 11th and my entire esophogas was itching two days later. Two slow sips of this rum straight got rid of these symptoms immediately. Then came extreme fatigue and mild fever for two days. Being vacinnated and boostered saved me from having to take any meds or take a trip to the hospital.

CA
Carlitos 🇵🇷 | 1 rating Replied 25 Jan '22

Don Q Reserva "De La Familia Serrallés" 

(From de Serralles Family)