the more Ralfy videos I watch, the more I get the impression he lives in a house consisting of 1 bed, 1 table, 1 chair, 1 shower, 1 cupboard, 1 closet and approximately a gazillion bottles
You can "fly" around the Isle of Mann in Google Earth and what you see typically are a full farm setting with a main house, possibly a barn or two, and sometimes a classic Bothy off a bit, on the property. It can be close to the house, and they look like the early settler's first place to live on the property. Ralfy has talked about his family's house there, and his Bothy. He has made many videos showing his great storage locations in his house, showing his collection of Scotch and other fine whisky. Those are in a regular house.
@@TheOriginalRasterSounds like you've been casing the joint for a whisky heist Raster? If Ralphy comes on TH-cam with tears in his eyes...we know where to look.
Nice stuff Ralfy really like you getting the word out about rum. A few points which may interest those wanting to drink "pure" rums. I'm not going to go all holier than thou with it - its just information. The Sikkim "rum" is likely neutral spirit tarted up with additives - its the way rums from that part of the world all seem to be made eg Old Port Rum from Amrut and Old Monk from Mohan Meakin. Woods 100 rum on the other hand is heavily coloured but NOT dosed with sugar or molasses. Some of the rum in the blend is very young and very sweet. Also unlike most other Navy style rums - Woods is a blend but only of Demerara rums - mainly from the Enmore/Versailles and Port Mourant stills now at DDL (Demerara Distillers Limited - or the Diamond Distillery if you like). There is no Jamaican or Bajan rum in the blend. It's an excellent value mixer but not a sipper. Havana Club rums are occasionally dosed with sugar. A more common practice is to use wine (sweet wine) as part of the blend. Ron Zacapa use every trick under the sun. Their stuff is overpriced rubbish. The Plantation line are all pretty much dosed with a sugar syrup except for OFTD which is a 69% "mixing" rum. The Pussers 15 Year Old is rum from the Port Mourant still at DDL. It is sweetened. The gunpowder is as you say the best of the lot. Its excellent As is the way with rum its very difficult getting this information - a lot can't be verified without expensive laboratory tests. It takes a lot of reading and time to learn all about the nonsense that goes on with rum. With you being primarily a whisky enthusiast I appreciate you won't be quite as obsessed as I am............. Keep up the good work though Ralfy! PS I'd love a tot of that Caroni
. . . as you say "very difficult getting information" which is why I check out your Site now and again for reliable recommendations ! it's what the internets about.
Great info FatRum. I'm very fond of your blog too. Your dead right about finding out as much as you can which is a journey for every serious enthusiast. Like Ralfy, I enjoy other drinks as well and am equally obsessive by each one. Rum poses a problem for many because of the huge amount of rubbish stuff and a there is a lot less information about it out there. I just watched a video of Richard Seale saying as much. I recently read a review with Serge Valentine on a Rum site and he felt that it was the serious Malt-Heads that were getting into top quality rum. It's the same as whisky; there's a gulf between the mass consumed dross and seriously good quality. The issue with rum is there is not enough good quality distillery bottles on the market. You always have to buy independent bottlers or limited releases. By the time most people hear about a good rum it's sold out or uber-expensive. Distribution is rubbish as well. I talk a lot to 'rum' fans in Canada that cannot get their hands on a independent bottle. The conversation there is about Zacapa or El Dorado. Apart from a handful of countries the only choices are between different brands that dump sugar in the bottle. There's some great stuff going on in the rum world right now though and people like Ralfy and your good self are part of that journey. Cheers. WT
We need FAT I need FAT I welcome his policing of the fraudsters !!! I love my Rum but have to watch my intake of Sugar After 40 Sugar is your enemy ,We need honest food and drink products for good health People Ralfy's comments are spot on in this review . Even WARNING the Producers on our behalf
He is right about everything. Solera has little of the oldest rums in there, and drier rums are all the rave in the rum world. I love Ralfy Reviews. His channel inspired me to make my own.
@@brianboru8858 so I have not tried it, but I conferred with someone that did. It’s a Cuban rum, molasses based, column still rum aged 11-15 years. Cuban rums at that age is usually more of the bitter chocolate, caramel profile. If you have tried and like Cuban rums it will be up your alley. If you have not tried Cuban rums, I will still say it’s worth it.
Someone said to me recently: "I like scotch better than bourbon, and I like rum better than brandy." Somehow this quote resonates with me in that it indirectly captures what *quality-produced* rum has become: a highly likely malternative! And to those whisk(e)y fans who are understandably suspicious, the answer is simple: a quality example of anything makes one an avid enthusiast of everything. Thanks to Ralfy for enhancing our quality of life & the diversity of our lived experience.
Michael Tortorich, I'd say that's a typical response from someone who hasn't tried many examples of any of those spirits. And I say that as someone who (before I got into spirits) had a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bottle of Jim Beam and thought that one was the Scotch and the other was the bourbon :-) Seriously, my own ignorance and lack of curiosity at the time kept me from even trying Scotch. Single malts are now still my favorite but I find that I like almost any quality spirit that I try. And I even have a new perspective for the cheap mixing spirits. I can now sip and analyze Jack or JW Red Label (not that it'd be my choice). I've forgiven myself and I think other newbies can be forgiven and introduced to quality.
You can check online for the list of Rums that add sugar and how much. Diplomatico Gran Reserva 12 yr has 41g/L. Zacapa XO has 26g/L. Appleton Estate 12 yr has less than 3g/L. Google = Rum sugar list
Thank you, very interesting. I'm a bit concerned about the abv readings, so I'm guessing that means that the producers measure the abv before the additives. And so the sugar measurements are approximate, but still a very useful guideline.
Mezan unblended, unsweetened, uncolored, lightly filtered,Jamaican, great sipper. Rum agricol, French islands fresh squeezed cane from the front of the cane press. Not the dirty molasses. Thanks Ralfy. Your good nature and humour.
Thanks for the suggestions and I agree but some people like the taste of molasses. IMHO molasses rum is to rhum agricole what grappa is to pisco and cognac. Personally I think I prefer cognac and pisco and I prefer the drier rum, but I can enjoy the sweeter stuff within reason.
Havana club Seleccion de Maestros is one of the best "bang for your buck" sippers I've tasted. Very smooth at 45% abv... not overly sweet (It's Barrel proof... they just do not call it that anymore) and I get bottles around $52usd... 1703... I have a bottle... it's okay... but I rarely reach for it. Seleccion better in my opinion. I grew up drinking Appleton's so the 21 year is my #1. The Appleton flavor profile simply is what rum is supposed to taste like for me. Big up Jamaica!
After traveling to Nicaragua I discovered Flor de Cana. Now my favorite. Interesting presentation of some rums I have never heard of and will try to hunt down for comparison.
I think Caroni went out of business because the Trinidad State owned sugar refinery ceased operations and that made production unprofitable. I think it was column still. It has a unique style that I adore. Never had a bad one, all excellent. I completely agree with Ralfy that to get rum in its pure sense (high strength, not coloured or filtered and no added sugar with an honest age statement) you have to buy from independent bottlers, usually from the U.K, Italy and France. Some of these rums are very high quality indeed. The distillate can be so good as to make guessing an age quite difficult. I have a Foursquare 2013 which is a 2 year old rum from Barbados aged in ex-cognac casks and bottled at 64%. It's a superb rum and in a blind tasting I doubt anyone would guess its age. These rums are limited in quantity and only available in a handful of countries so they can be difficult to procure. They can also be expensive but are at least as good as similarly priced malt whisky. Excellent, educational review Ralfy and some great points about non Caribbean rum also. Cheers. WT
I have to nurse my Berry Bros. Caribbean XO, 46% from Caroni Distillery as it may well be the last Caroni Rum I see in Ontario. I recently picked up a Plantation Barbados 12, Single Cask 44.1% (8 in Bourbon casks and 4 in Ferrand Cognac casks, finished in Wild Cherry?) Looking forward to it.
Indeed. Unlike Port Ellen though, Caroni has a very unique and recognisable character. No other rum tastes like it. I used to drink Port Ellen in the late 80's and early 90's as a young man. I had no idea the distillery had shut down. Can't afford the old stuff these days. Caroni isn't just rare, it's good and exciting. I second you, get it and enjoy it while you can. It will become the Port Ellen/Brora of the rum world.
bought a jamaica 2009 vintage 13yo and i was not that impressed with it which made me stay away from Plantation Rums, maybe i ought to give them another chance :-??
One that should be right up your alley....Balvenie Caribbean Cask. It’s Balvenie scotch finished in rum casks for the final maturation. Very smooth with only a very small hint of rum flavor. 43% abv, btw. Yummmm
I just tried one of those Fijian Rums you spoke about in one of your vids, it is a bit of a revelation, 'Bounty Rum' please consider it for one of your tastings, if you can get hold of it i am certain you will not be disappointed, can't be so bold as to attempt a guess at a rating. Thanks Ralfy without listening to your opinion i would have never tried this rum and many others, so i appreciate it.
I rarely sit through a 30 minute video, but, Ralfy, your presentation had me riveted. I have been enjoying Cross Keys 5 year old Barbados Rum, lately. Not so much sipping, but mixing with Pepsi.
Thanks, Ralfy. Not just for all the info on Rums (to add to your previous videos), but also since I do need a break from my whisky. My palette is getting flat. I have some good 15 to 25 year old rums in my collection that will serve me well.
Hello Ralfy, Not related to this video, but a few years ago you reviewed a Longmorn 15 and were a bit dismissive of the at the time Longmorn 16. Now there is a new version of the 16. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the change of Longmorn over time. All the best, Terry
Although I do agree that when you drink cocktails, the finer notes of the premium aged rums get cancelled out, there still is a big difference in drinking a coke with a Cheaper Rum like Bacardi Superior and something like a Barbancourt or Ron Del Barrilito. The Premium Rums still do lend a finer more appealing flavor to whatever u are mixing it with and you will not get a hangover like you will with a cheaper Rum
nice one ralfy, 19:40 mount gay produce an excellent rum. pretty much their whole line of products you cant go wrong, even their white rum is ok for cocktails and the like, far superior to bacardi. im a rum freak and always carry an eclipse or black barrel for mixing. moving up the line though 1703 is around the same price as el dorado 21 id be edging towards the el dorado. mount gay is great but el dorado is just superb. pair it with a good cigar or some nice chocolate and its happy days.
Hey Ralfy, I love rum and would like to recommend Santisima Trinidad 15 year. It is a solera age statement but it tastes bloody delicious, better even than Diplomatico and El Dorado 12 year.
Am I the only one who agrees with Ralfy that a good malternative provides a nice break from single malts, but then forgets about them until he does a review like this? Ah, well, I used this reminder as an excuse to take a brief diversion from scotch and cracked open a bottle of Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum that I've had milling about since 2014. Good stuff. No Pusser's or Smith & Cross, but nonetheless quite sippable.
Hello Ralfy, I don't know how you select your malt mentions, but I came up with one, should you need one in the distant future, how do we send them to you, all the very best, cheers Paul.
I've gotten some of those eucalyptus and mint notes in a Caroni. I think a well made rum, with good distilling and good wood can bring a wide variety of flavors out.
I'm not surprised ralfy goes to rum after scotch the quality is higher than other spirits period. also rums that have been aged in casks for years have a lower price than whiskys of any sort that were aged in casks. pair the fact that rum has a naturally a sweet flavor but can be made as dry as you would like and you can get them oaked into any age statement you want its a clear winner to me keep your scotch i get 27 year old rum for 30$ out here
I don't experiment much with brands of rum. My favourite is Mount Gay, from Jamaica, and love the sticky sweet texture. Bundeburg, Australian rum, is a great rum but lacks the X-factor. Cheers Ralphy
You missed Tanduay from the Philippines. While they produce some very cheap rums for local consumption, they also produce some exceptional rums such as a 15 year old.
Interesting, I also started backing off on bourbon/scotch and drinking more rum (and gin martinis) recently. Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum is my current favorite.
Hi Ralfy! Have you tried any japanese rum? Do you recommend any? I've heard they have good soil for sugar cane in the islands in the south, and that they have been making rum agricole... and since they became so good at making whisky, maybe their rum is in the same track regarding quality... Cheers from Brasil!
Ralfly, watched you for a long time, but fact is, better quality spirits make more refined and better balanced cocktails. You don't need anything over $40, but don't go cheap
Great review as always Ralfy! I've decided to take a punt at the 'Bellevue 17 Year Old' Tasteing notes on the more well known online shops seem fascinating :) been more of a malt mate than rum rascal really but tried the 'El Dorado 15' recently and it certainly was better than the other cheaper stuff I've had before. Looking forward to the review!!
Ralfy I noticed that you didn't do the review of the Monkey Shoulder. Haven't tried it but heard really good stuff about it being great single malt blend. Could you give us your as always honest opinion?
Nikola Popovic when I was starting out with single malts, I got a bottle of MS. It was decent, and I enjoyed it for a while, but soon grew tired of it. It lacks complexity compared to most single malts. No worries, though, as the MS website evidently realizes this and has a lot of cocktails and mixed drink recipes, including a recipe for a full bottle of Old Fashioned.
Thought that might be the case with MS, but i was hoping its not so I can have another whisky to try and enjoy, but oh well... I'll still have laphroaig :D
You've got to try Richland Rum from here in Georgia, USA. Made from 100% sugar cane syrup, distilled in refluxy copper pot stills, and aged in new charred oak casks. Its oak character makes it sip like a bourbon, but with an addictive buttery sweetness. Not sure if you can get it there, but it's worth seeking out.
Hi Pete, I've had the Foursquare 11 cask strength and the Criterion everyone is talking about and they are both delicious and well worth the money. Richard Seale at Foursquare is doing great things in the rum world. I would try it if I were you. All the best.WT
Ralfy great video again! Could you perhaps recommend a nice sipping rum to start with in the bit lower price regions? Up to £30 for example. Purchased a bottle of Zacapa23 once by the way and that was marvelous!
I just opened a Mount Gay Black Barrel that I picked up for $27US. Not too dear, and nice sipper. I think Ralfy may have recommended it in an earlier review. Everything I've tried in the Pusser's range is worth a go, too.
I was just given a bottle of Westerhall Estate Plantation Rum. It has a hand written serial number, 21708. Drinks like good single malt. I can't find it anywhere. Not at Westerhall, but maybe I missed it
Have you tried any Aussie rums ralfy? Anything you consider worthy? Forgive us for the existence of Bundaberg if you've had the misfortune of trying that!
Ralfy, not sure if it's reached the UK yet, but keep an eye out for Paranubes. It's a small producer Mexican cane rum from Oaxaca that has an exceptional nose and a fantastic balanced flavor.
I absolutely disagree with you on the subject of the quality of the spirit not making a difference in a cocktail. This is "old thinking" - ie "if you're making a cocktail reach for the cheapest stuff you can find since its just a cocktail". Just try a manhattan with a basic rye vs a high end rye. Or a Daiquiri. They're miles apart. A good cocktail is just - as many other things - a sum of its parts. Like your reviews on rum especially where you showcase many of the best - non sugared - brand out there. Keep it up!
Can you advise a nice smooth scotch for me ? I like Gentleman Jack very much, but I would like a Scotch single malt , that is even smoother. It should be widely available also. Thank you for your advice
Independent bottlers putting out rums at huge prices, making it a new marketing and investing oppurtunity for collectors and casual drinkers? that's just my opinion.
It's not intended as a sipper, but I actually enjoy the W&N OP neat, albeit with a little water or ice to make it more manageable. While it is kind of the standard bearer for that funky Jamaican style of rum, a better, more friendly, equally affordable alternative (for sipping, at least) might be Smith and Cross, as it has a little age on it (Ralfy reviewed it, iirc). It's distilled by Hampden Estate, I believe. Speaking of Hampden Estate, you could also try their Rum Fire OP. That stuff is the Mecca for Jamaican estery funkiness, imo. 100% pot still - it's like a W&N on steroids. I think if you like intense, peaty, medicinal whisky, you've a stronger likelihood of appreciating the Jamaican style of rum. Rum has perhaps even more variation than Scotch, imo, especially if you include agricoles and so on. I bet you do like rum, you've just yet to find your preferred style/producer.
Here in Vermont U S A we have a problem with Maple syrup if it pure or made up of Karo syrup extract FAKE , so I not bought whiskey with maple flavor so be a where of , ! ( It's only my opinion ingredients of importance facts ) thanks Ralfy
Ralfy! I have a great idea for you... Travel to another location on the Isle of Mann where there is a traditional "Bothy" of the same kind of character as your own, and give us a tour with a roving video... like you're carrying the camera, you're outside, you're showing us around, etc. That would be awesome! As I've mentioned previously, skip all that for your own Bothy, and keep your location private for obvious reasons. Still... we never mentioned, you could show us some other traditional Bothy outside and in. Cheers
Great review Ralfy but to be honest I am little bit disappointed. Last time you told me that you have bought The Criterion to be reviewed and I was patiently waiting and waiting and here it is. It's just not exactly what I expected you know? Thanks anyway.
Hi Tomas,I understand why Ralfy wont comment right now but I've had a sip of this and don't mind expressing my opinion. The Criterion is a very nice rum but not top drawer in my opinion. It's excellent at the price though. I don't think it's that far removed from the Foursquare 11 year Cask Strength. They are both priced similarly. There's only a small amount of this available on TWE so get it before it runs out if you are interested. It is quite removed from some of the independent rum I've been buying recently and actually seemed to be a bit whisky like. I enjoy it but the best Foursquare I've had recently has been by Velier.
Of Course......Velier. I am a rum munch er and I proudly own many UN-opened yet and tasted many. Foursquare is another favorite of mine. They tend to care about the content and not design which is in my eyes also very important. But decently presented and now with a plastic cork stopper so they do listen to their fans. I am a fan of Rum Nations, Caronis and Appleton Estates
. . your right, but having tasted it, and I found it to be good, I noticed that there is a bit too much flanneled 'hype' going on out there !!! and therefore I visibly need to aviod being part of a wider orchestrated over-hyperbol !
You should try Khukuri Rum from Nepal..We locals drink this rum when anyone catch cold, during cold weather...We Nepalese have a saying that it can cure cold..😄
Actually imo, Good Cognacs are above all other drinks in sophistication. The problem is, to get a really good one , it costs a lot more for some reason. XO Cognacs (avg 12yo) here in Canada run 50-100% more than the already expensive similarly aged malts, perhaps they just price them to what the market can bear.
Trespasser, there are better cognacs than the heavily branded XO in blingy bottles (loaded with E150, Boisé, sweetener). Those big Cognac houses are like JW and Dewar's of Cognac, blenders. There are craft cognacs, even single cognacs, single Cru, single estate, even non-chill filtered and above 40%, no additives, even cask strength. Think more rustic bottles like Armagnac or otherwise simple bottles, unknown names. Like with Armagnac, an XO or Hors d'Age can be half the price of the big boys. And younger ones can be worth sipping unlike the branded VS/VSOP designed for mixing and cooking :-) Sophistication, you say? You and I would never even learn this if not for whisky geeks! 😎
Yeah, I can't stand Hennessy XO for exaple.. I was thinking more like De Luze, Jean Fillioux or Pierre Ferand which are a lot more vibrant. Armangac is OK, but to my taste buds not quite as refined even as it's richer tasting, you still have to pay almost as much to get the good stuff (more than half price). I recently bought a bottle of Philbert Sauternes cask finish and yeah, quite whisky like and may I say, a lot better than the more expensive Glenlivet Sauternes, so cognac wins even when it imitates. But some 30 year old malts I tasted in years past were truly phenomenal , but this was when they were still priced reasonably (could find them under $150). At today's prices, I have to pass.
I hear you. As a relative malt neophyte of about 3 years, my experience with Cognac/Armagnac/brandy is even more limited. So I don't mean to question your preference, everyone tastes differently. And I definitely have a renewed enthusiasm about Cognac. From a recent trip I brought some goodies: 3 bottles of Artez single grape / single cru Armagnac (3 different grapes), 3 bottles of Augier Single Cru/Single Grape, non-chill filtered, no additives, each expression is also a different approach to lees (yeast sediment in the wine). And a bottle of Baardseth XO Single Cru - un-chill filtered, no additives and 43.2%. Needless to say, I am excited :) It'll be a while before I open them - I need to finish some end-of-life bottles, sipping some Dartigalongue XO now. And I know what you mean about Armagnac, I'm guessing that column stills make things a little muddier somehow. By the way, the store also had some single barrel Cognac in a "private selection" bottle (the store puts their name on it but still tells you the provenance, I just forgot) and it was still way more approachable price-wise than the over-branded XO bling. Cognac as genre is definitely redeeming itself in my mind, it's just a matter of availability - I can only get this on trips. I must disagree about single malts, at least in terms of comparing them to Cognac. A 12-year old Cognac is "beyond age" (hors d'age) whereas a 10-12-year old single malt Scotch is quite young, almost "entry level". These years are not at all equivalent. So if you decide to find an "equivalent" Scotch Single Malt you'll likely have to pay twice over the Cognac (I'll be the first to suggest that it's not necessarily worth doing this, I prefer the younger malts so far) 1. different climate, 2. more variety of oak with Scotch, 3. Cognac/Armagnac are aged in new toasted oak vs. Scotch traditionally in used/charred casks of huge variety of previous content AND different barrel shapes and sizes, too! I do prefer malts (most times) but I am not inclined to say which spirit is superior, it depends on what I want right now. And then there's also PEAT... !!! I don't know what 'sophistication" means in terms of enjoying a spirit (like "elegance" it sounds more like marketing to me). I suspect that it was invented by the British (like so many of other cognac gimmicks). What I do understand is pleasure/enjoyment. And I would say I find pleasure with malts, bourbon/rye, cognac, tequila and sometimes unaged spirits like pisco, grappa... Actually, I was blown away by good tequila and now I'm afraid to explore lest I go broke :)
P.S. I looked up that Philbert, looks very interesting. And I missed your point about 30-year old malts - I suspect those are the true peers of the better Cognac from my "thesis" ;) And I may never taste them. The reason I seem to enjoy many malts are the tarter, more acidic notes to balance the murky sweetness of wood, caramel, toffee, etc. I love the fresher taste. That's why I'm excited about these craft Cognacs. I truly believe in not comparing the groups. I just search for specific bottles based on their description, reviews, provenance, craft presentation, etc. I never think in terms of A is better than B - not within the spirit type, not between types. Is aged ribeye steak better than ahi tuna? Or sturgeon or caviar? I like it all, on different days :) I'll even argue that blended Scotch ought to be thought of as a distinct spirit from single malt - likely there are some very worthy examples.
the more Ralfy videos I watch, the more I get the impression he lives in a house consisting of 1 bed, 1 table, 1 chair, 1 shower, 1 cupboard, 1 closet and approximately a gazillion bottles
sounds about right :P
what else would you be asking for?
I'd want a gazillion more bottles~
You can "fly" around the Isle of Mann in Google Earth and what you see typically are a full farm setting with a main house, possibly a barn or two, and sometimes a classic Bothy off a bit, on the property. It can be close to the house, and they look like the early settler's first place to live on the property.
Ralfy has talked about his family's house there, and his Bothy. He has made many videos showing his great storage locations in his house, showing his collection of Scotch and other fine whisky. Those are in a regular house.
@@TheOriginalRasterSounds like you've been casing the joint for a whisky heist Raster? If Ralphy comes on TH-cam with tears in his eyes...we know where to look.
Nice stuff Ralfy really like you getting the word out about rum.
A few points which may interest those wanting to drink "pure" rums. I'm not going to go all holier than thou with it - its just information.
The Sikkim "rum" is likely neutral spirit tarted up with additives - its the way rums from that part of the world all seem to be made eg Old Port Rum from Amrut and Old Monk from Mohan Meakin. Woods 100 rum on the other hand is heavily coloured but NOT dosed with sugar or molasses. Some of the rum in the blend is very young and very sweet. Also unlike most other Navy style rums - Woods is a blend but only of Demerara rums - mainly from the Enmore/Versailles and Port Mourant stills now at DDL (Demerara Distillers Limited - or the Diamond Distillery if you like). There is no Jamaican or Bajan rum in the blend. It's an excellent value mixer but not a sipper.
Havana Club rums are occasionally dosed with sugar. A more common practice is to use wine (sweet wine) as part of the blend. Ron Zacapa use every trick under the sun. Their stuff is overpriced rubbish. The Plantation line are all pretty much dosed with a sugar syrup except for OFTD which is a 69% "mixing" rum.
The Pussers 15 Year Old is rum from the Port Mourant still at DDL. It is sweetened. The gunpowder is as you say the best of the lot. Its excellent
As is the way with rum its very difficult getting this information - a lot can't be verified without expensive laboratory tests. It takes a lot of reading and time to learn all about the nonsense that goes on with rum. With you being primarily a whisky enthusiast I appreciate you won't be quite as obsessed as I am.............
Keep up the good work though Ralfy!
PS I'd love a tot of that Caroni
. . . as you say "very difficult getting information" which is why I check out your Site now and again for reliable recommendations ! it's what the internets about.
Great info FatRum. I'm very fond of your blog too. Your dead right about finding out as much as you can which is a journey for every serious enthusiast. Like Ralfy, I enjoy other drinks as well and am equally obsessive by each one. Rum poses a problem for many because of the huge amount of rubbish stuff and a there is a lot less information about it out there. I just watched a video of Richard Seale saying as much. I recently read a review with Serge Valentine on a Rum site and he felt that it was the serious Malt-Heads that were getting into top quality rum. It's the same as whisky; there's a gulf between the mass consumed dross and seriously good quality.
The issue with rum is there is not enough good quality distillery bottles on the market. You always have to buy independent bottlers or limited releases. By the time most people hear about a good rum it's sold out or uber-expensive. Distribution is rubbish as well. I talk a lot to 'rum' fans in Canada that cannot get their hands on a independent bottle. The conversation there is about Zacapa or El Dorado. Apart from a handful of countries the only choices are between different brands that dump sugar in the bottle.
There's some great stuff going on in the rum world right now though and people like Ralfy and your good self are part of that journey. Cheers. WT
Fun fact: the fat rum pirate is obsessed with sugar! He could even find sucralose in my junípero gin , hahaha
We need FAT I need FAT I welcome his policing of the fraudsters !!! I love my Rum but have to watch my intake of Sugar After 40 Sugar is your enemy ,We need honest food and drink products for good health People Ralfy's comments are spot on in this review . Even WARNING the Producers on our behalf
He is right about everything. Solera has little of the oldest rums in there, and drier rums are all the rave in the rum world. I love Ralfy Reviews. His channel inspired me to make my own.
As a newbie to rum, I'm looking at getting the Ron La Progresiva 13.. do you think this will be worthwhile?
@@brianboru8858 so I have not tried it, but I conferred with someone that did. It’s a Cuban rum, molasses based, column still rum aged 11-15 years. Cuban rums at that age is usually more of the bitter chocolate, caramel profile. If you have tried and like Cuban rums it will be up your alley. If you have not tried Cuban rums, I will still say it’s worth it.
Someone said to me recently: "I like scotch better than bourbon, and I like rum better than brandy." Somehow this quote resonates with me in that it indirectly captures what *quality-produced* rum has become: a highly likely malternative! And to those whisk(e)y fans who are understandably suspicious, the answer is simple: a quality example of anything makes one an avid enthusiast of everything. Thanks to Ralfy for enhancing our quality of life & the diversity of our lived experience.
Michael Tortorich I cant respect the man who says they dont like Rum when they haven't ventured past Cruzan Rum and Captain Morgan.
Michael Tortorich, I'd say that's a typical response from someone who hasn't tried many examples of any of those spirits. And I say that as someone who (before I got into spirits) had a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bottle of Jim Beam and thought that one was the Scotch and the other was the bourbon :-) Seriously, my own ignorance and lack of curiosity at the time kept me from even trying Scotch. Single malts are now still my favorite but I find that I like almost any quality spirit that I try. And I even have a new perspective for the cheap mixing spirits. I can now sip and analyze Jack or JW Red Label (not that it'd be my choice). I've forgiven myself and I think other newbies can be forgiven and introduced to quality.
I haven't watched any of your videos for a while but I have to say, they are absolutely unique as always! You are a gem, Ralfy! A national treasure!
. . . happy to share the malt-moments !
Thanks for the nod to younger sippers, 26 years young here and just found your channel, thanks for the guidance!
You can check online for the list of Rums that add sugar and how much. Diplomatico Gran Reserva 12 yr has 41g/L. Zacapa XO has 26g/L. Appleton Estate 12 yr has less than 3g/L. Google = Rum sugar list
Thank you, very interesting. I'm a bit concerned about the abv readings, so I'm guessing that means that the producers measure the abv before the additives. And so the sugar measurements are approximate, but still a very useful guideline.
Mezan unblended, unsweetened, uncolored, lightly filtered,Jamaican, great sipper. Rum agricol, French islands fresh squeezed cane from the front of the cane press. Not the dirty molasses.
Thanks Ralfy. Your good nature and humour.
Thanks for the suggestions and I agree but some people like the taste of molasses. IMHO molasses rum is to rhum agricole what grappa is to pisco and cognac. Personally I think I prefer cognac and pisco and I prefer the drier rum, but I can enjoy the sweeter stuff within reason.
I've been enjoying the Ron Zacapa XO & Eldorado 21. Excellent stuff!:)
The appleton estate 21 is some very very good rum, I really love that stuff
Havana club Seleccion de Maestros is one of the best "bang for your buck" sippers I've tasted. Very smooth at 45% abv... not overly sweet (It's Barrel proof... they just do not call it that anymore) and I get bottles around $52usd...
1703... I have a bottle... it's okay... but I rarely reach for it. Seleccion better in my opinion.
I grew up drinking Appleton's so the 21 year is my #1. The Appleton flavor profile simply is what rum is supposed to taste like for me.
Big up Jamaica!
After traveling to Nicaragua I discovered Flor de Cana. Now my favorite. Interesting presentation of some rums I have never heard of and will try to hunt down for comparison.
As a rum sipper, I just happened up on your review. Really enjoyed it.
I adore Wood's Navy Rum. It is strong but smooth. I alays wash it down with a separate glass of pineapple juice.
I think Caroni went out of business because the Trinidad State owned sugar refinery ceased operations and that made production unprofitable. I think it was column still. It has a unique style that I adore. Never had a bad one, all excellent. I completely agree with Ralfy that to get rum in its pure sense (high strength, not coloured or filtered and no added sugar with an honest age statement) you have to buy from independent bottlers, usually from the U.K, Italy and France. Some of these rums are very high quality indeed. The distillate can be so good as to make guessing an age quite difficult. I have a Foursquare 2013 which is a 2 year old rum from Barbados aged in ex-cognac casks and bottled at 64%. It's a superb rum and in a blind tasting I doubt anyone would guess its age. These rums are limited in quantity and only available in a handful of countries so they can be difficult to procure. They can also be expensive but are at least as good as similarly priced malt whisky. Excellent, educational review Ralfy and some great points about non Caribbean rum also. Cheers. WT
I have to nurse my Berry Bros. Caribbean XO, 46% from Caroni Distillery as it may well be the last Caroni Rum I see in Ontario.
I recently picked up a Plantation Barbados 12, Single Cask 44.1% (8 in Bourbon casks and 4 in Ferrand Cognac casks, finished in Wild Cherry?) Looking forward to it.
I'm from Trinidad and you are correct !!!
The Port Ellen of rum, enjoy it while we can.
Indeed. Unlike Port Ellen though, Caroni has a very unique and recognisable character. No other rum tastes like it. I used to drink Port Ellen in the late 80's and early 90's as a young man. I had no idea the distillery had shut down. Can't afford the old stuff these days. Caroni isn't just rare, it's good and exciting. I second you, get it and enjoy it while you can. It will become the Port Ellen/Brora of the rum world.
Plantation is now one of my faves... bought a bottle of the XO 20th Anniversary last year. Amazing stuff.
bought a jamaica 2009 vintage 13yo and i was not that impressed with it which made me stay away from Plantation Rums, maybe i ought to give them another chance :-??
Good watch. Would be great for an update on Irish and American Whiskey too!
Is there anything recommended for those of us with limited availability
Ralphy, the camera iris needs a wee bit of adjustment. The light colored labels are washed out.
Always interesting! Looking forward to the rum reviews. Thank's Ralfy!
Mount Gay has probably one of the best price/value ratios among rums.
I'm agreeing I feel that way too saving for a 1703 Also Foursquare Very Honest product
One that should be right up your alley....Balvenie Caribbean Cask. It’s Balvenie scotch finished in rum casks for the final maturation. Very smooth with only a very small hint of rum flavor. 43% abv, btw.
Yummmm
I just tried one of those Fijian Rums you spoke about in one of your vids, it is a bit of a revelation, 'Bounty Rum' please consider it for one of your tastings, if you can get hold of it i am certain you will not be disappointed, can't be so bold as to attempt a guess at a rating. Thanks Ralfy without listening to your opinion i would have never tried this rum and many others, so i appreciate it.
I rarely sit through a 30 minute video, but, Ralfy, your presentation had me riveted. I have been enjoying Cross Keys 5 year old Barbados Rum, lately. Not so much sipping, but mixing with Pepsi.
Woods is very affordable for the abv. It's not earth shaking but cut with some water it's a nice sipper, you just have to be a sweet tooth
Thanks, Ralfy. Not just for all the info on Rums (to add to your previous videos), but also since I do need a break from my whisky. My palette is getting flat. I have some good 15 to 25 year old rums in my collection that will serve me well.
Hello Ralfy,
Not related to this video, but a few years ago you reviewed a Longmorn 15 and were a bit dismissive of the at the time Longmorn 16. Now there is a new version of the 16. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the change of Longmorn over time. All the best, Terry
. . . I will be looking out for it !
What does the abbreviation GB stand for? e.g. Mount Gay 1703 Master Select 0,7l 43% GB. Thank you.
Been looking forward to more rum stuff from you Ralfy,. Thanks. Good video.
Although I do agree that when you drink cocktails, the finer notes of the premium aged rums get cancelled out, there still is a big difference in drinking a coke with a Cheaper Rum like Bacardi Superior and something like a Barbancourt or Ron Del Barrilito. The Premium Rums still do lend a finer more appealing flavor to whatever u are mixing it with and you will not get a hangover like you will with a cheaper Rum
Does your saying about cheap rum to set a baseline also carry over to whisky, as in buying a cheap generic bottle to compare to a better bottle?
Hi Ralfy, curious if you have any particular thoughts on Brugal 1888 or Matusalem Gran Reserva 15. Tried both recently and like them quite a lot.
. . . not warmed to these rums at all !
nice one ralfy, 19:40 mount gay produce an excellent rum. pretty much their whole line of products you cant go wrong, even their white rum is ok for cocktails and the like, far superior to bacardi. im a rum freak and always carry an eclipse or black barrel for mixing. moving up the line though 1703 is around the same price as el dorado 21 id be edging towards the el dorado. mount gay is great but el dorado is just superb. pair it with a good cigar or some nice chocolate and its happy days.
Hey Ralfy, I love rum and would like to recommend Santisima Trinidad 15 year. It is a solera age statement but it tastes bloody delicious, better even than Diplomatico and El Dorado 12 year.
Am I the only one who agrees with Ralfy that a good malternative provides a nice break from single malts, but then forgets about them until he does a review like this? Ah, well, I used this reminder as an excuse to take a brief diversion from scotch and cracked open a bottle of Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum that I've had milling about since 2014. Good stuff. No Pusser's or Smith & Cross, but nonetheless quite sippable.
Don't want to be "that" person but both Madagascar and Mauritius are in the Indian Ocean not the Pacific.
Hello Ralfy, I don't know how you select your malt mentions, but I came up with one, should you need one in the distant future, how do we send them to you, all the very best, cheers Paul.
I've gotten some of those eucalyptus and mint notes in a Caroni. I think a well made rum, with good distilling and good wood can bring a wide variety of flavors out.
I'm not surprised ralfy goes to rum after scotch the quality is higher than other spirits period. also rums that have been aged in casks for years have a lower price than whiskys of any sort that were aged in casks. pair the fact that rum has a naturally a sweet flavor but can be made as dry as you would like and you can get them oaked into any age statement you want its a clear winner to me keep your scotch i get 27 year old rum for 30$ out here
I don't experiment much with brands of rum. My favourite is Mount Gay, from Jamaica, and love the sticky sweet texture. Bundeburg, Australian rum, is a great rum but lacks the X-factor. Cheers Ralphy
Mount Gay is from Barbados. They don't add sugar as do Zacapa, El Dorado & Diplomatic.
You missed Tanduay from the Philippines. While they produce some very cheap rums for local consumption, they also produce some exceptional rums such as a 15 year old.
I think Rum is a good option when the weather gets hot and so is Bourbon
Agreed! I like to drink it straight from the fridge so i dont need to add ice
Woods Navy is superb!
Interesting, I also started backing off on bourbon/scotch and drinking more rum (and gin martinis) recently. Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum is my current favorite.
Ryan Barnhart
Try Doorlys 12 year from Total Wine. it will knock your socks off.
My journey with spirits started with rum. I’ve had many, but I think the most impressive rum I’ve ever had was the Appleton 21.
I’ve been considering blind buying a Cadenheads bottling of Caroni 21 year old 55% abv, would you recommend rum from Caroni distillery, Ralfy?
. . . check reviews, Caroni is now 'fashionable' and over-priced. Safer with Foursquare, especially indi-bottlings.
@@thewhiskybothy thanks for the advice ☺️
Hi Ralfy!
Have you tried any japanese rum? Do you recommend any? I've heard they have good soil for sugar cane in the islands in the south, and that they have been making rum agricole... and since they became so good at making whisky, maybe their rum is in the same track regarding quality...
Cheers from Brasil!
. . . they have goos soil, but over-distilled rum !
ralfystuff better not to make them a priority in my list then, he?! Thanks for the tip!
hey ralphy what do you think of the Angostura 1919 rum? and the brand in general
. . . quite sweet and generic, the brand is quite 'corporate'.
ralfystuff I thought so
Ralfly, watched you for a long time, but fact is, better quality spirits make more refined and better balanced cocktails. You don't need anything over $40, but don't go cheap
Love the Dalek and Cyberman. LOL!
Great review as always Ralfy! I've decided to take a punt at the 'Bellevue 17 Year Old' Tasteing notes on the more well known online shops seem fascinating :) been more of a malt mate than rum rascal really but tried the 'El Dorado 15' recently and it certainly was better than the other cheaper stuff I've had before. Looking forward to the review!!
I was put on to the eldorado by Ralfy himself but the more I drank it the more I found it just to sweet. That's the journey I guess.
I like Ron Matusela Gran Reserva. Good sippin' rum that.
Ralfy I noticed that you didn't do the review of the Monkey Shoulder.
Haven't tried it but heard really good stuff about it being great single malt blend.
Could you give us your as always honest opinion?
. . . my last taste of this one was not a happy experience !
ralfystuff too bad then.
Nikola Popovic when I was starting out with single malts, I got a bottle of MS. It was decent, and I enjoyed it for a while, but soon grew tired of it. It lacks complexity compared to most single malts. No worries, though, as the MS website evidently realizes this and has a lot of cocktails and mixed drink recipes, including a recipe for a full bottle of Old Fashioned.
Thought that might be the case with MS, but i was hoping its not so I can have another whisky to try and enjoy, but oh well...
I'll still have laphroaig :D
Bumbu. Sweet, tastes and smells like butterscotch
I dont say it enough but this particular review is fuckin banging , spot on man !
in the plantation range, i think st.lucia is really great. the 2003 and 2004
I love good rum...
Thank you for this...
Although a staunch fan of Diplomatico, I 've found a nice surprise in rums from Mauritius: Labourdonnais and Chamarel
You've got to try Richland Rum from here in Georgia, USA. Made from 100% sugar cane syrup, distilled in refluxy copper pot stills, and aged in new charred oak casks. Its oak character makes it sip like a bourbon, but with an addictive buttery sweetness. Not sure if you can get it there, but it's worth seeking out.
mrdisco99 available nationwide?
Honestly I'm not sure. Last time I visited they were talking about getting distribution in NY so they're probably still expanding.
I'm in NY. I'll be on the lookout. Thank you
My local beverage shop has the Foursquare aged in Bourbon+Zinfandel wine casks. Wondering if it is worth $60 for a rum newbie...
Hi Pete, I've had the Foursquare 11 cask strength and the Criterion everyone is talking about and they are both delicious and well worth the money. Richard Seale at Foursquare is doing great things in the rum world. I would try it if I were you. All the best.WT
nice video, please do one for cognac as well, cheers!
Ralfy great video again! Could you perhaps recommend a nice sipping rum to start with in the bit lower price regions? Up to £30 for example.
Purchased a bottle of Zacapa23 once by the way and that was marvelous!
I just opened a Mount Gay Black Barrel that I picked up for $27US. Not too dear, and nice sipper. I think Ralfy may have recommended it in an earlier review. Everything I've tried in the Pusser's range is worth a go, too.
Ralphy, can we expect for best sipping wiskeys for 2017? Such as Clynelish 14 and Glen Scotia 15 and etc.. ?
. . . yes, I will do that !
ralfystuff thank you sir !!!
Plantation rum is excellent
I was just given a bottle of Westerhall Estate Plantation Rum. It has a hand written serial number, 21708. Drinks like good single malt. I can't find it anywhere. Not at Westerhall, but maybe I missed it
. . . sounds promising !
I just had a shot and then poured some Glenlevit and the Rum stood right up to it! That's good rum.
Have you tried any Aussie rums ralfy? Anything you consider worthy? Forgive us for the existence of Bundaberg if you've had the misfortune of trying that!
. . . Inner Circle Blue ! very nice .
ralfystuff very good, 100% Australian owned distillery as far as I know. Pretty sure they also bought out beenleigh a few years back.
@@flintandball6093 you are wrong, Bundaberg is owned by diagio, a British company.
Beenleigh owned by Bickford, Vok.
Ralfy, not sure if it's reached the UK yet, but keep an eye out for Paranubes. It's a small producer Mexican cane rum from Oaxaca that has an exceptional nose and a fantastic balanced flavor.
. . . I will look out for it !
I absolutely disagree with you on the subject of the quality of the spirit not making a difference in a cocktail. This is "old thinking" - ie "if you're making a cocktail reach for the cheapest stuff you can find since its just a cocktail". Just try a manhattan with a basic rye vs a high end rye. Or a Daiquiri. They're miles apart. A good cocktail is just - as many other things - a sum of its parts. Like your reviews on rum especially where you showcase many of the best - non sugared - brand out there. Keep it up!
Can you advise a nice smooth scotch for me ? I like Gentleman Jack very much, but I would like a Scotch single malt , that is even smoother.
It should be widely available also. Thank you for your advice
. . . Glenfiddich 12yo or Auchentoshan 12yo, good luck.
To what Ralfy already recommended, I'd add Aberlour 12 and Old Pulteney 12.
The way you said "daiquiri" was amazing!
I definitely want to try the one from India. I also do not plan on being pregnant anytime soon.
😊
Independent bottlers putting out rums at huge prices, making it a new marketing and investing oppurtunity for collectors and casual drinkers? that's just my opinion.
The Nectar Of The Daily Drams Guyanan Rum 16, is one of my last rums I can remember that left a mark on my memory
. . . mine too ! but not all Indi bottlers.
I just got a bottle of 11yo rum from Belize bottled by Compagnie des Indes, really amazing stuff.
. . . good stuff indeed !
Hi Ralfy, I just watched your review a second time, I'm sure now you didn't comment on the FAIR rum that is on top of the stack.
Any chance you've tried Sailor Jerry Rum? Wondering your thoughts.
I think he liked it until they downgraded it from nice vanilla rum to generic captain morgan-like mixing rum
. . . in the old-days, yes !
Aaron Shipwreck Rum is a decent alternative
I've been drinking jerry's for the past decade and switched to whiskey this past year. But if i ever go back I'll try Shipwreck.
Love these non-scotch reviews!
Hi
What would b ralfy score for wray and nephew?? You v mentioned it many tyms
The nas
Overproof...is it worth buying 4 a malt drinker who does not like rum?
. . . 84/100 for this one, rougher than it used to be.
It's not intended as a sipper, but I actually enjoy the W&N OP neat, albeit with a little water or ice to make it more manageable. While it is kind of the standard bearer for that funky Jamaican style of rum, a better, more friendly, equally affordable alternative (for sipping, at least) might be Smith and Cross, as it has a little age on it (Ralfy reviewed it, iirc). It's distilled by Hampden Estate, I believe. Speaking of Hampden Estate, you could also try their Rum Fire OP. That stuff is the Mecca for Jamaican estery funkiness, imo. 100% pot still - it's like a W&N on steroids.
I think if you like intense, peaty, medicinal whisky, you've a stronger likelihood of appreciating the Jamaican style of rum. Rum has perhaps even more variation than Scotch, imo, especially if you include agricoles and so on. I bet you do like rum, you've just yet to find your preferred style/producer.
Here in Vermont U S A we have a problem with Maple syrup if it pure or made up of Karo syrup extract FAKE , so I not bought whiskey with maple flavor so be a where of , ! ( It's only my opinion ingredients of importance facts ) thanks Ralfy
what about ......ron zacapa 23?
Ralfy, you should have gone to "Specsavers". By the way my favorite rum is the Wood's 100.
Ralfy! I have a great idea for you... Travel to another location on the Isle of Mann where there is a traditional "Bothy" of the same kind of character as your own, and give us a tour with a roving video... like you're carrying the camera, you're outside, you're showing us around, etc. That would be awesome!
As I've mentioned previously, skip all that for your own Bothy, and keep your location private for obvious reasons.
Still... we never mentioned, you could show us some other traditional Bothy outside and in.
Cheers
. . . that's an idea !
Whoops... Isle of Man.
AH RIISE is the best rum ive ever tried
Madagascar is Indian Ocean not Pacific.
Hi Ralfy, malt mention - malty mechanized malt mills.
. . . now on the M-mention list, thanks !
Wow!!. Now will wait for the malt-mention to be aired.
The Foursquare Criterion is a good rum. It's not a "single estate" rum.
Great review Ralfy but to be honest I am little bit disappointed. Last time you told me that you have bought The Criterion to be reviewed and I was patiently waiting and waiting and here it is. It's just not exactly what I expected you know? Thanks anyway.
. . . I was going to review it, but there is too much commentator-generated hype on it now and I will not be contributing to that !
Hi Tomas,I understand why Ralfy wont comment right now but I've had a sip of this and don't mind expressing my opinion. The Criterion is a very nice rum but not top drawer in my opinion. It's excellent at the price though. I don't think it's that far removed from the Foursquare 11 year Cask Strength. They are both priced similarly. There's only a small amount of this available on TWE so get it before it runs out if you are interested. It is quite removed from some of the independent rum I've been buying recently and actually seemed to be a bit whisky like. I enjoy it but the best Foursquare I've had recently has been by Velier.
Of Course......Velier. I am a rum munch er and I proudly own many UN-opened yet and tasted many. Foursquare is another favorite of mine. They tend to care about the content and not design which is in my eyes also very important. But decently presented and now with a plastic cork stopper so they do listen to their fans. I am a fan of Rum Nations, Caronis and Appleton Estates
. . your right, but having tasted it, and I found it to be good, I noticed that there is a bit too much flanneled 'hype' going on out there !!! and therefore I visibly need to aviod being part of a wider orchestrated over-hyperbol !
Africa & Madagascar aren't bordering the Pacific... you're thinking of the Indian Ocean :')
. . . I am !
You should try Khukuri Rum from Nepal..We locals drink this rum when anyone catch cold, during cold weather...We Nepalese have a saying that it can cure cold..😄
is there such a thing as peated rum?
. . . it has been tried !
That sounds gross
Actually imo, Good Cognacs are above all other drinks in sophistication. The problem is, to get a really good one , it costs a lot more for some reason. XO Cognacs (avg 12yo) here in Canada run 50-100% more than the already expensive similarly aged malts, perhaps they just price them to what the market can bear.
Trespasser, there are better cognacs than the heavily branded XO in blingy bottles (loaded with E150, Boisé, sweetener). Those big Cognac houses are like JW and Dewar's of Cognac, blenders. There are craft cognacs, even single cognacs, single Cru, single estate, even non-chill filtered and above 40%, no additives, even cask strength. Think more rustic bottles like Armagnac or otherwise simple bottles, unknown names. Like with Armagnac, an XO or Hors d'Age can be half the price of the big boys. And younger ones can be worth sipping unlike the branded VS/VSOP designed for mixing and cooking :-) Sophistication, you say? You and I would never even learn this if not for whisky geeks! 😎
Yeah, I can't stand Hennessy XO for exaple.. I was thinking more like De Luze, Jean Fillioux or Pierre Ferand which are a lot more vibrant. Armangac is OK, but to my taste buds not quite as refined even as it's richer tasting, you still have to pay almost as much to get the good stuff (more than half price). I recently bought a bottle of Philbert Sauternes cask finish and yeah, quite whisky like and may I say, a lot better than the more expensive Glenlivet Sauternes, so cognac wins even when it imitates. But some 30 year old malts I tasted in years past were truly phenomenal , but this was when they were still priced reasonably (could find them under $150). At today's prices, I have to pass.
I hear you. As a relative malt neophyte of about 3 years, my experience with Cognac/Armagnac/brandy is even more limited. So I don't mean to question your preference, everyone tastes differently. And I definitely have a renewed enthusiasm about Cognac. From a recent trip I brought some goodies: 3 bottles of Artez single grape / single cru Armagnac (3 different grapes), 3 bottles of Augier Single Cru/Single Grape, non-chill filtered, no additives, each expression is also a different approach to lees (yeast sediment in the wine). And a bottle of Baardseth XO Single Cru - un-chill filtered, no additives and 43.2%. Needless to say, I am excited :) It'll be a while before I open them - I need to finish some end-of-life bottles, sipping some Dartigalongue XO now. And I know what you mean about Armagnac, I'm guessing that column stills make things a little muddier somehow. By the way, the store also had some single barrel Cognac in a "private selection" bottle (the store puts their name on it but still tells you the provenance, I just forgot) and it was still way more approachable price-wise than the over-branded XO bling. Cognac as genre is definitely redeeming itself in my mind, it's just a matter of availability - I can only get this on trips.
I must disagree about single malts, at least in terms of comparing them to Cognac. A 12-year old Cognac is "beyond age" (hors d'age) whereas a 10-12-year old single malt Scotch is quite young, almost "entry level". These years are not at all equivalent. So if you decide to find an "equivalent" Scotch Single Malt you'll likely have to pay twice over the Cognac (I'll be the first to suggest that it's not necessarily worth doing this, I prefer the younger malts so far) 1. different climate, 2. more variety of oak with Scotch, 3. Cognac/Armagnac are aged in new toasted oak vs. Scotch traditionally in used/charred casks of huge variety of previous content AND different barrel shapes and sizes, too! I do prefer malts (most times) but I am not inclined to say which spirit is superior, it depends on what I want right now. And then there's also PEAT... !!!
I don't know what 'sophistication" means in terms of enjoying a spirit (like "elegance" it sounds more like marketing to me). I suspect that it was invented by the British (like so many of other cognac gimmicks). What I do understand is pleasure/enjoyment. And I would say I find pleasure with malts, bourbon/rye, cognac, tequila and sometimes unaged spirits like pisco, grappa... Actually, I was blown away by good tequila and now I'm afraid to explore lest I go broke :)
P.S. I looked up that Philbert, looks very interesting. And I missed your point about 30-year old malts - I suspect those are the true peers of the better Cognac from my "thesis" ;) And I may never taste them. The reason I seem to enjoy many malts are the tarter, more acidic notes to balance the murky sweetness of wood, caramel, toffee, etc. I love the fresher taste. That's why I'm excited about these craft Cognacs. I truly believe in not comparing the groups. I just search for specific bottles based on their description, reviews, provenance, craft presentation, etc. I never think in terms of A is better than B - not within the spirit type, not between types. Is aged ribeye steak better than ahi tuna? Or sturgeon or caviar? I like it all, on different days :) I'll even argue that blended Scotch ought to be thought of as a distinct spirit from single malt - likely there are some very worthy examples.
Ralfy, what a nice collection! :)
You should try Tanduay Superior Rum. Good stuff in my opinion from the Phillipines.
Wow thats a lot of stuff ! Ile Maurice is nice, but you should try Il de la Réunion, nicest and more fruits ! :D
Rum Zacapa the beat!!
madagascar is twice the land area of the uk ...just so you know...its fucking huge
Ron zacapa or Zaya are really just all you need !
Just my opinion🤪.... (original Zaya not the crap they are making now)
28:18 "and this is a big butt.."
You should review Rock Town Gin (either the original or Barrel Aged)!
I enjoy a Bundaberg OP.
Zacapa, Santa Teresa, Barbancourt