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HomeRumRum Nook: Overview 87-89 - Rum Nation Small Batch Uncommon Rums (2016...

Rum Nook: Overview 87-89 – Rum Nation Small Batch Uncommon Rums (2016 launch)


Picture copyright © H.Kristoffersen

Two bizarre cousins and a fairly stoic uncle.


Introduction

Not that way back DDL and El Dorado issued three single
cask, cask power rums. The primary ever instantly from DDL, by DDL themselves.

This marked the start of an period, and across the rum world, whispering was
heard how DDL was now going to kill off the indie bottlers who has been issuing
bottle after bottle of continentally aged, cask power Demeraras (and a
single one who issued tropically aged ones).

Fortunately the rum brokers nonetheless have there grubby palms on a
lot of older Demerara casks, and subsequently lots of indie Demeraras are nonetheless popping up in all places.

Now, Rum Nation is just not unknown within the sense of issuing
Demeraras.
They’ve had their Demerara No. 14 for some years now,
and so they have additionally had an nearly annual launch of a 20+ yr previous Demerara.
However till not too long ago they haven’t been dealing in cask
power rums, aside from a few Caronis and a white Jamaican pot nonetheless
rum.
Then they issued the Supreme Lord VIII – A gargantuan cask
power Monymusk.
And now they’re firing all weapons, and bringing a minimum of
three small batch cask power rums to the market.
As a result of they selected to challenge three Demeraras directly, I
thought it could be enjoyable to assault them in an analogous approach, that I did with the
three El Dorado Uncommon Assortment rums.
Very similar to their Guyanese competitor, Rum Nation has chosen
to challenge three single nonetheless, single cask rums.
1)   
An 11 yr previous Diamond from 2005 bottled at 58,6%
ABV.
2)   
A 14 yr previous Enmore from 2002 bottled at 56,8%
ABV.
3)   
A 21 yr previous Port Mourant from 1995 bottled at 57,7%
ABV.
Sound good, doesn’t it. The 11 yr previous Diamond seems like
one thing I’ve seen one million occasions earlier than. However a 14 yr previous Enmore and
significantly the 21 yr previous Port Mourant are very, very attention-grabbing.
Nonetheless Diamond, Enmore and Port Mourant are to my data
essentially the most generally indie bottled rums from Guyana, so nothing too particular right here.
Yeah, I do know, I’ve been tackling lots of Rum Nation rums
recently. Nope, they didn’t pay me to do it. I similar to what they do, and so they
have issued lots of very attention-grabbing merchandise abruptly lately. So,
that’s why.

Now shut up and browse on.

I solely have samples of those rums, so Google will likely be
supplying the visible information for this paragraph.
For this launch Rum Nation has accomplished one thing refreshing:
Chosen a brand new design. However not so vastly completely different, that it doesn’t nonetheless relate
to the common releases.
The bottle appears to be like very a lot the identical because the newer stubby
bottles, however with a barely extra ”techno” closure. Maybe it’s a glass
”cork”, maybe it’s artificial. I’ll must ask Mr. Rossi about that once I
see him in October.

[EDIT]: A sort reader defined to me, that the closure is a Vinolok glass thingie, which seals off the bottle fully, offers off no style or odour, and means that you can stack your rums sideways such as you would with wine. I am all of a sudden very fascinated with studying extra about these, and presumably getting a bag of them to exchange previous, damaged corks in my rum assortment.

For the primary time ever the bottles are available tubes. Beige
colored cardboard tubes. With steel lids.
Other than the previous picket bins, this needs to be my favorite
Rum Nation packaging thus far. Correct packaging simply provides that little additional.

The tube is embellished with typical Rum Nation sort graphics
and stamps – and a brand new label with all the appropriate data.

Following within the
tracks of CdI, Rum Nation is all of a sudden beginning to present all related information
proper there on the label. Nice information everybody! 12 months created, yr bottled, nonetheless used, origin, power,
cask quantity and bottle quantity.

All in all, I just like the presentation very a lot! It appears
cleaner and extra crisp, than the common Rum Nation look.

Diamond 2005

Picture courtesy of Rum Nation
The well-known double column steel coffey nonetheless has recently been
a big favorite among the many indies. And for good motive I reckon. I’ve tried
a number of Diamonds alongside the way in which, and so they hardly ever disappoint.

The rum has a pleasant mahogany color. Contemplating its fairly
meagre 11 years of age, it appears darker than I’d anticipate.

Contained in the glass it creates a pleasant seen layer of residue
when twirled. Nothing too thick, however a hoop is rapidly made seen, and slowly
it morphs into small droplets, which descend slowly.
The nostril comes off a little bit skinny.
It does have some good Demerara notes, like huge juicy raisins
and prunes combined with soaking moist, darkish wooden.
There’s some recent grassy undertones, with an enormous bag of
spices.
Largely cumin and cloves, but in addition a little bit vanilla and
cinnamon.
After which, essentially the most stunning factor of all: an odd layer
of vodka.
It feels tremendous fishy, and I’ve by no means discovered that word in a
rum earlier than, however that’s what it jogged my memory of. A slight sharpness and an
monumental journey down reminiscence lane to my youth the place amount beat high quality no less than
two nights every week.
Humorous nostril, however fortunately there was some common suspects.

Style

Moving into, among the notes from the nostril take the lead.
Massive, fats raisins and prunes, together with the cloves, cumin
and soaked wooden.
And that sticks with you for fairly a while, earlier than it
opens as much as show some anise, a splash of vanilla and an enormous stick of liquorice.
It does have a sharpness to it, which really feel simply barely
managed. I’m not saying that it’s disagreeable, nevertheless it’s not very nice
both.
Might or not it’s the excessive power? Maybe. However I’ve had many
excessive proof rums, which was higher managed.
It’s not at all a nasty rum. Not a all. It’s tasty, it’s
gratifying and it’s good enjoyable. It simply wants a little bit knuckles earlier than it performs
good.

End

Nothing new occurring, simply lots of the identical previous at decrease
quantity.
Because the fade kicks in, it feels increasingly more gratifying because it
nears the top.
As if the undesirable components fades faster than the
fascinating ones.
The vodka reference is bizarre. Tremendous bizarre. It doesn’t
destroy the expertise. Quite the opposite truly. Fortunately it tastes nothing
like vodka, so I’m not anxious in regards to the high quality in regards to the rum.
Humorous nostril, good tasty and lengthy, nice end.
That is undoubtedly an attention-grabbing rum.
Going for round €130 (if you could find it), it’s not the
costliest one. Nonetheless there may even be different indie Diamonds obtainable
within the worth vary. Will or not it’s single cask? Not essentially. Will or not it’s cask
power? In all probability not. However just a few could also be, and you need to be sure that to test
them out as effectively.
This isn’t the very best Diamond I’ve had, so there could also be
higher alternate options on the market.
Nonetheless, as it is a good rum and certainly an attention-grabbing
drink, it will get a…

Enmore 2002 

Picture courtesy of Rum Nation

One of the well-known Guyanese stills is the Enmore picket
coffey nonetheless. Usually the supply of an indie rum or two and in my view
typically an enormous case of hit and miss.

Recently a lot of the Enmores I’ve encountered are enormous baggage
of pencil shavings, and nothing extra.

I’ve nonetheless met a really superior 2002 Enmore at whereas again,
which now rests on my shelf, and will likely be adressed at a later time on the weblog.
Due to this fact I’m wanting very a lot ahead to attempting this Rum
Nation Enmore 2002 as effectively.
The place the Diamond was a darkish mahogany, the Enmore is a
bleached, soiled blond – nearly white – liquid. Twirling it yields acquainted
outcomes. Simple flowing, good droplets, blah, blah. The standard pure rum.

Nostril

Okay. Pencils. Boatloads, however a little bit restrained.
Whenever you sit down with it, and permit it to enthrall you,
there may be nonetheless one thing to be found.
Huge lime and lemon peels. This rum is large on citrus
notes.
And that’s virtually it. The sunshine woods and the citrus.
The Diamond had that unusual vodka word.
This citrus a part of the Enmore jogs my memory closely of
lukewarm gin and Schweppes dry lemon. You recognize, that half drink, late on the
get together the place it is best to have left an hour in the past. The ice cubes are lengthy gong, and
you possibly can’t keep in mind once you had you final sip.
By now you have to be considering that I’m fully off my
noodle. And for good motive.
I do know it’s insanely onerous to imagine, however I’m lifeless severe.
There’s not a lot range to the nostril of the Enmore, however
it’s fairly the attention-grabbing fellow. There isn’t a off notes, and nothing that I
would fairly have accomplished with out. And the unusual notes introduced a smile to my
face.
Proper now I’m simply wanting ahead to see the place we’re going
from right here.

Style

Fortunately it didn’t style like stale gin and lemon. That
would have disenchanted me past comprehension. It does nonetheless style so much
like different Enmores I’ve tried.
A superb cocktail of pencil shavings, cloves and anise, and a
very distant couple of fruity notes.
It’s nonetheless a really good rum. Though this profile is just not
my most popular one, it’s evident that we’re coping with an incredible rum.
The pencil shavings are managed, tasty and effectively
introduced.
It’s spherical, but in addition scorching as hell due to the excessive proof.
Reasonably brief contemplating the power.
The fade brings nothing new, apart from a slight shift in
the stability away from the pencil shaving components. It feels a bit sweeter and a
little extra fruity because it makes its approach in the direction of the exit.
And it cleans up tremendous properly. 
One more tremendous attention-grabbing rum. Despite the fact that it isn’t my most popular profile, I loved it a
lot.

Maybe the very best bottle of pencil shavings I’ve tried.

The large lime peel on the nostril was one thing new and enjoyable,
and I’m grateful that it didn’t carry over to the palate an excessive amount of.
Offered for €150 it is a little more costly than the Diamond,
and I can see why.
It’s clearly a greater constructed rum. Personally I’d go for
the Diamond due to its extra approachable nature with extra common notes. However
the Enmore is not at all a canine within the huge image.

If in case you have €150 to spend there may be lots of choices. However
there isn’t many cask power Enmores obtainable. In case you’re fascinated with the
El Dorado Enmore 1993, you’re looking at a rise in worth of €75, in order that
is a barely completely different league.

I not too long ago checked out a Samaroli 1990 Demerara, which additionally
had huge pencil shrapnel. However the place the Samaroli felt slender, uncontrolled
and damaging, the RN Enmore is extra rounded, extra managed and fewer of an
I.E.D. The warmth is even stored in test, and it felt nowhere close to as aggressive
because the a lot older and weaker Samaroli.
Due to this fact it get away with a pleasant…

Port Mourant 1995

Picture courtesy of Rum Nation

Final however not least, the 21 yr previous Port Mourant.

Aaah. Port Mourant. Maybe essentially the most well-known of all Guyanese
stills. The double picket pot nonetheless. 

The final one on this planet. In operation
for one million years. Made by God on the twelfth day of creation, proper after he
created Adam and Eve, sugar cane, the cane press, yeast and the artwork of
distilling.
Jokes apart, this one is virtually similar to the
Diamond in color, which elevated my shock with the Diamond color. The PM
is nearly twice as previous and nearly the identical color. Unusual.
In case you give it a twirl, it’ll react as you anticipate. Good
layer, good ring, good droplets, good gravity.

Nostril

Already on the nostril, you’ll really feel proper at dwelling.
This can be a very typical Port Mourant.
Heavy in nature, with preliminary notes of darkish wooden, anise,
juice prunes and winey tannins.
I’m questioning the place the large muscle tissue of the 57.7% ABV are
hiding.
To date it feels extra like some other sub 50% Port Mourant,
than a sub 60% beast. However I’ve been stunned up to now, so let’s see what
occurs.
Beneath the traditional Port Mourant profile, there may be additionally some
ripe limes. Juice and peel.
And within the background, a little bit burnt rubber, however nothing to
intimidating.
Every thing blends collectively in a approach which is sensible. A bit
layered, however not separated.
I hope it tastes equally effectively.

Style

And there now we have it … the hidden beast!
Wauw! The primary sip nearly tore my head straight off.
Though ”simply” medium profiled, it confirmed me a degree of
flavour and power, that needed to be taken severely.
First the traditional Port Mourant wooden. Excessive on oak, excessive on
tannins, with an enormous, juice crimson wine character.
Then got here an unusually giant bag of dried fruits, with
prunes, figs, juicy raisins and apricots.
It feels extra fruity than most different Port Mourants I’ve
tried, and it brings some sweetness to the desk.
Enormous quantities of liquorice. The uncooked and fairly bitter pure
liquorice. Very good.
The one other wave of darkish, heavy wooden, however with out feeling
over oaked.

There isn’t a doubt in my thoughts, that it is a excellent Port
Mourant. It’s tremendous tasty, and feels effectively composed, balanced, flavourful and
attention-grabbing.

It dies off a bit too rapidly. Whenever you survive the primary
blast, and also you expertise how tasty it’s, you’ll need it to remain for a really
very long time.
Maybe the bitterness from the liquorice and the tannins
does too good of a job of cleansing up, and type of jumps the gun a bit.
By no means the much less the fade continues to be very tasty, and brings out
a little bit of the lime-features from the nostril.

Ranking

That is by far my favorite amongst these three new cask
power Demeraras.
Rather more tasty and way more effectively composed than the Diamond
and the Enmore.
No humorous stuff, only a nice, previous Port Mourant.

I’ve discovered the PM for something between €200 and €250, and
that’s rather a lot.

It’s nonetheless what these previous, single cask Demeraras value
lately.
I’d nonetheless recommendation you to attempt before you purchase. Cask power
rums aren’t an prompt love affair for everyone. Some could desire one of many
45-46% Demeraras from the Rum Nation previous – or some other bottler for that
matter.
If you’re a cask power fanboy like me, you’ll take pleasure in
the Port Mourant very a lot.
The standard of this rum must be fairly apparent. I actually suppose
it’s. However figuring out how insane a cask power Demerara may be, this Port
Mourant is maybe too mild and too straightforward going.
And that’s the reason it gained’t attain the highest of rum world. But it surely nonetheless leaves with a…

Ranking: 87/100

Remaining Ideas

What an incredible expertise. As soon as once more Mr. Rossi has issued a
lot of rums, which makes you’re feeling that you’re attempting one thing new.
The unusual vodka-Diamond, the gin and Schweppes-Enmore and
the superior, however mild, traditional Port Mourant.
Two bizarre cousins and a fairly stoic uncle.
A set of this unusual household will set you again round €520,
so most individuals will suppose twice earlier than getting the total vary.
The cheaper Diamond and Enmore could lure some to provide them a
go with out having tried it first. However in my world the true gem is the way more
costly Port Mourant.

Even on the €200 mark it’s a nice rum. No query about
it.

Cask power and smaller batch rums are getting extra and
extra standard lately, and other people appear to be keen to half with giant
quantities of money for such bottlings, so the evolution of the Rum Nation line-up
could be very comprehensible.
I acknowledge the hassle from Mr. Rossi with these rums, and
I for one am not going to complain about extra cask power rums. However I can’t
assist however surprise if that is really the appropriate transfer for Rum Nation.
In my view Rum Nation is the king of 40-46% indie
bottlings. They churn out a big and different line up of rums from everywhere in the
old skool origins, and so they do it very, very effectively.
The Port Mourant was stellar, however the different two weren’t up
to typical Rum Nation requirements. In my eyes no less than.
Lately I tackled the Supreme Lord VIII which was
unbelievable, and so they have nice success with excessive proof Caronis and a few
whites.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m simply not adjusting to vary that
effectively.
I’ll have to attend for additional releases earlier than drawing any
conclusions. For now I’m simply grateful that the world has extra small batch,
cask power rums to select from.
Sustain the nice work, Mr. Rossi.
Diamond 2005: Ranking 78/100
Enmore 2002: Ranking 82/100
Port Mourant 1995: Ranking 87/100

Notes

2-3 years in the past, I obtained the Velier Diamond 1996, Enmore 1995 and Port Mourant 1997 for
round that very same costs, because the three new Rum Nation rums prices. The rum world
has moved a really good distance since then and we’re seeing a very completely different
market now.

So, in the event you get a number of of the Rum Nation small batch
rums, and fall in love, my recommendation will likely be to top off. As a result of as soon as they’re
gone, the following related rum could also be much more costly.

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