Being extra of a rum geek lately, it’s rarer for me to see a rum and never know something about it.
I could not have tried sure manufacturers, however I do know sufficient rum geeks who can inform me about it. Dusty or defunct manufacturers are one in every of these blind spots. Receiving this pattern of Nineteen Seventies or Nineteen Eighties 4 Bells Navy Rum from The Lone Caner is an instance.
With this being an uncommon second for me, I’m going to take the possibility and drink this “blind.” I’ll know what the rum is, however I gained’t know what to anticipate, since I do know nothing about it. On the similar time, I’ll make this an uncommon overview by sharing the tasting notes first then studying extra about this rum after. Notes on this rum shall be put within the conclusions.
4 Bells Navy Rum – Evaluation
Circa Nineteen Seventies to Nineteen Eighties. 40% ABV. 1L. €23 in Catawiki (initially €46 for two).
Colour: Caramel.
On the nostril: Initially a little bit of sharp ethanol. Nevertheless it shortly provides option to a bit funk and confectionary aromas. The slight funk makes me consider Jamaican and Guyanese rum. I get gentle to medium notes of cloves, licorice, leather-based, dates, caramel, allspice peppers, toffee, butterscotch, chocolate, and mocha. On the finish are bitter aromas of kombucha, sugarcane vinegar, and one thing chemical-ly.
Within the mouth: The ethanol chunk is simply as sharp. Regardless of having an honest quantity of taste, this has a really watery mouthfeel. It’s just like the rum is hole however a bit round-ish. This type of texture makes me consider sweetened multi-column distilled rum like Ron Zacapa “23” and Zaya 12 12 months. I get gentle to medium tastes of toffee, caramel, mocha, chocolate, banana syrup, and dates syrup. On the finish are delicate tastes of cane juice, ripe bananas, licorice, and inexperienced bell peppers.
Conclusions:
I may be convincing myself that there’s Guyanese rum on this mix on account of this claiming or advertising and marketing itself as a Navy rum. Guyanese rums are infamous for being utilized in these blends. The again label additionally mentions “potstill technique of distillation” (“potstill” appears like a typo the model cared little about). This additional reinforces my assumption that Guyanese rum, and possibly Jamaican rum, had been used on this mix. It tastes like there was not a lot used although.
Notes of dates, date syrup, licorice, cloves, and leather-based often come from Guyanese rum. To me, dates and date syrup are a inform that there’s a little bit of rum from the Enmore column nonetheless, whereas the licorice, cloves, and leather-based often come from the Port Morant double picket pot nonetheless.
There are bits of ripe banana, sugarcane vinegar and chemical notes right here which make me consider Jamaican rum. The chemical be aware makes me consider the pot distilled Monymusk rums I’ve lately tried.
The label, the label’s typo error, the rum’s coloration, and the public sale worth implies this was an affordable mix. My opinion on that is strengthened by the same texture I get from sweetened multi-column distilled rum and the weak pot nonetheless rum flavors. No matter how I rating this rum, it’s at all times a deal with to style issues from earlier than I used to be born. Thanks once more, Lance.
Rating: 5/10
Afternotes:
Except for the label’s point out of what “4 bells” means in British Navy custom: there have been eight bells. Every had been struck per half hour on a four-hour watch, which implies, 4 bells signifies the midway by way of any of the center, morning, forenoon (latter a part of the morning earlier than midday), afternoon and first watches.
The Lone Caner notes that there aren’t any references to 4 Bells as an organization. He thinks it’s a one-off model experiment. He additionally mentions that there are different 4 Bells rums, which appears to indicate the identify didn’t have any logos.
It’s additionally talked about that there’s a 50% model that claims 4 Bells is a subsidiary of Whyte & Mackay. Sure, these guys that personal the favored mix. However, the one verification is that they share the identical tackle.
Fatrumpirate says this was bottled and distributed by Challis, Stern & Co Ltd. They’re a London-based alcohol wholesaler who started buying and selling in 1924. The corporate was dissolved in 2005. Although, after studying that there are different 4 Bells rum manufacturers, I’m undecided if the one I reviewed is from the identical firm as Fatrumpirate reviewed.
Pictures are courtesy of The Lone Caner.
