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Dwelling
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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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June 26, 2022
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A phrase of warning
Let me please remind you that my humble assessments of any spirits are carried out from the viewpoint of a malt whisky fanatic who, what’s extra, is aboslutely not an knowledgeable in rum, brandy, tequila, vodka, gin or another spirits. Thanks – and peace! |
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This after relatively poorly chosen white tequilas final week. Individuals would are likely to consider that white rums, whereas word not all unaged, could be more energizing, if not lighter, and deal with ice significantly better than ‘golden’, ‘brown’, ‘anejos’, ‘aged rums’, no matter. Which generally results in insane consumptions and, as a consequence, relatively unusual behaviours in public. Together with carrying Hawaiian shirts, or pink, orange and yellow. Collectively.
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Trois Rivières ‘Cannes Brûlées’ (43%, OB, Martinique, agricole, +/-2020) 
apparently, this one will not be completely white, however I doubt it was aged. It’s a single-varietal rhum (rozeau cane) from a single location, the place they’ve burnt the canes earlier than the harvest, which is an outdated technique that was used to eliminate leaves… and snakes. It’s stated that it was making the rums barely smoky, let’s have a look at (hope they have not completed this in ex-Laphroaig wooden – sure some try this within the Caribbean)… Color: very, very pale white wine. Nostril: oh, some mezcaly rum. Olives, brine, faint smoke certainly (charcoal), seawater, capers, then damp chalk and plaster. A really nice shock, I’d suppose you possibly can make some sort of rum margarita with this. Mouth: dry, easier, however clearly salty and smoky. Some lime and, certainly, a wee feeling of ‘peat’. Extraordinarily intriguing… End: medium, with comparable flavours. Grilled bacon within the aftertaste. Feedback: shock shock! It will be humorous to attempt to burn barley too, however I doubt you possibly can then malt it. Nah, neglect.
SGP:462 – 85 factors. |
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Bologne ‘Black Cane’ (50%, OB, Guadeloupe, agricole, +/-2020) 
Why write it in English and never in French? Would not ‘Canne Noire’ be comprehensible too? Color: rock crystal. Proper. Nostril: this one’s very recent certainly, with none ‘mezcalness’ in fact, and relatively on pure recent cane juice. I simply could not even take into account recognizing the variations between black cane, blue cane, gray cane or else, however certainly that is very tender and a notch grassy. With water: brings out just a little medicinal alcohol, or uncooked apple spirit ‘burnt’ at 85% vol. or extra. Additionally whiffs of shoe polish and plasticine. Mouth (neat): very candy. Lime liqueur and touches of earth, in addition to plain sugarcane. With water: good however undecided this one’s meant to be sipped like this. Cane syrup. End: just a little quick, sugary and grassy. Feedback: there was far more oomph and physique within the Trois Rivières. Maybe just for ti’ punch? Now it isn’t even very caney…
SGP:641 – 77 factors. |
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Rhum Charrette (49%, OB, La Réunion, +/-2022) 
We’re within the Indian ocean this time. Many individuals in France are utilizing Charrette after they make cocktails, it is bought a fairly good repute (and it is generally stated to be ‘quick’, see what I imply…) Color: white as white water. Nostril: pure cane juice, even when that is really ‘rhum traditionnel’, so made with molasses. Typically additionally referred to as ‘rhum de sucrerie’, or ‘rhum industriel’, which isn’t very interesting, we agree. Good earthiness, with some lime as effectively, touches of fennel, celery… Mouth: very all proper, with relatively so much occurring, extra lime, roots, earth, touches of lavender. Now it might additionally are likely to grow to be just a little burning, sizzling… End: medium, a tad extra alcoholy, however the lime and fennel are again within the aftertaste. Feedback: critical rum. By no means overlook these simply because they’re filth low-cost – I believe I paid approx.. 15€ for a 100cl bottle. Which is, we agree, dearer than US$2 for a bottle of some wonderful Cuban artisanal aguardiente (true story).
SGP:651 – 80 factors. |
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Clément ‘Canne Bleue 2019’ (50%, OB, Martinique, agricole, 2020)
At all times lots of hoopla round these vintaged bottles however the ones I might already attempt have been just a little underwhelming. Let’s verify this one… Color: very white. Nostril: effectively, that is nicer than I used to be anticipating, relatively earthier and thicker, with lots of caney aromas, plus touches of violets and liquorice, plus some recent putty. Now it isn’t very lengthy on the nostril and would are likely to lose steam… With water: a saltiness, some brine, seawater… Effectively, this classic was significantly better than earlier ones, as I bear in mind these. Lemon and cucumber within the background. Mouth (neat): sure, good! Just a little candy however with good rootiness, cane, and aniseed plus affiliated flavours (dill etcetera). With water: doesn’t collapse in any respect, even when it might are likely to grow to be just a little sugary. End: medium, softer, however with good sugarcane, orange juice relatively than lemon, and a drop of seawater within the aftertaste. Feedback: I do know this may not make any sense, however ‘I am glad I am liking it’.
SGP:651 – 81 factors. |
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La Favourite ‘Rivière Bel’Air récolte 2020’ (53%, OB, Martinique, agricole, +/-2020) 
That is pure purple cane in addition to single-plot rhum. The place known as, as you have guessed it, Rivière Bel’Air. Color: white because the whitest diamond (that’ll do, S.) Nostril: this one’s extra perfumy and floral. Violets and ylang-ylang, vetiver, celeriac within the again, yuzu, oyster plant, maybe borage… Would grow to be increasingly more citrusy over time. In brief, extra yuzu. Tiny whiffs of, say Dove. With water: Woolite, washing powder… I do know, sounds odd however it’s pretty. Mouth (neat): very a lot to my liking, with lots of expression and assertiveness (whaaat?) Fantastic small citrus, much more yuzu, kumbawa, lime… All that coated with drizzlings of pure sugarcane syrup. I am discovering this luminous. With water: does not get too sugary this time, yuzu and lime are standing guard. End: medium, recent, rooty and citrusy, with touches of earth and tar (hurray). Feedback: most likely nearly as good as white rum might be however maintain watching your bottles or they are going to evaporate in a flash, for no causes.
SGP:661 – 88 factors. |
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A1710 ‘La Perle 2019’ (54.5%, OB, Martinique, agricole, 761 bottles, +/-2020) 
That is single-varietal, single-estate rum, made in each a colonne créole and a wee Charentais nonetheless (cognac). I believe A1710 is a brand new distillery. Color: as white as Tom Cruise’s tooth (S., that is sufficient!) Nostril: definitely completely different, relatively extra on greens and even meats, as if some very completely different yeasts have been in use. Very curious notes of manioc, plantain bananas, asparagus, samphires, olives… Intriguing, very intriguing, extra fermentary than the others. Outdated hay. With water: brakes and new Tupperware stuff, just a little coriander (leaves). Mouth (neat): definitely salty and fermentary. Some bananas – for the primary time as we speak – and, effectively, much more bananas. Banana wine. With water: cautious with water. Salted bananas and pears, that is what I am getting. Or some sorts of chutneys? End: relatively lengthy, with the identical molecules on the helm. Feedback: very attention-grabbing distillate, very completely different. We’ll attempt to verify it extra usually.
SGP:641 – 84 factors. |
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Longueteau ‘Constellation’ (57.5%, OB, Guadeloupe, agricole, 2018)
This one was launched to have fun the 40 years of the Route du Rhum, a incredible race that goes from Saint-Malo in Brittany to Pointe-à-Pitre, capital metropolis of Guadeloupe. Color: white. Nostril: plain and pure cane juice, with only a drop of diesel oil. That is what I’ve at all times loved in white Longueteau, with this barely extra rustic and grassy aspect after the Martiniquais. Some superior absinth, liquorice and olives popping out too. With water: no adjustments, just a bit extra lemon zests and a touch of juniper. Mouth (neat): oily, just a little, cough, sturdy, however this liquorice and the touches of aniseed would simply work. With water: williams pears coming out, aside from that, we now have olives, brine, petrol, crushed anchovies, aniseed, liquorice… End: identical flavours within the very lengthy end. A curious feeling of salty pastis within the aftertaste. Feedback: high white agricole, with a stunning fatness.
SGP:562 – 87 factors. |
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Good, I believe we have had sufficient French ones, let’s transfer to pastures new…
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Monymusk ‘Overproof White Rum’ (63%, OB, Jamaica, +/-2020)
Let’s not let this one kill us! It is made by Nationwide Rums of Jamaica and says it was ‘triple distilled’, so ex-pot nonetheless, and from a mix of molasses and cane juice as I perceive it. Color: white as a sheet. Nostril: I believe they’ve used some dunder in there, however I am discovering this bizarrely mild, even tender, with a number of ripe fruits and relatively flowers, particularly wisteria, additionally geranium flowers (I maintain insisting, no stems and no leaves). Think about I am even discovering just a little limoncello. Intriguing and really removed from what compadres Hampden or WP are doing with their whites. With water: just a little petrol certainly, leaves, seaweed, a drop of liquid cleaning soap – I will not point out hand sanitizer – and cane juice plus bananas. Not a high-ester Jamaican. Mouth (neat): burns you just a little bit. Robust, when undiluted, though you’d relatively detect tender fruits and even sugars, icing sugar and all that. Fast, with water: nearer to cane juice, with additionally drops of tequila and banana liqueur. Just a little brine and lime juice too. End: relatively lengthy, just a little extra ‘Jamaican’ at this level, you do really feel just a little dunder certainly. Feedback: all proper, an excellent white, even when it is maybe just a little, say bipolar.
SGP:652 – 80 factors. |
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Renegade ‘Pre cask Outdated Bacolet 2020’ (50%, OB, Grenada)
As they do at sister Distillery Waterford in Eire, lots of particulars are given. That is single farm (Outdated Bacolet) and even single area (Josh), single harvest (2020), single varietal (Cain cane) and all distilled in pot stills. For some cause that I could clarify later, I shall not rating these infants and can simply attempt to describe them, thanks to your understanding. Color: white. Nostril: a relatively petroly cane, some elderflowers maybe, just a little paraffin and broom, some overripe, brown bananas, fermented damsons (you consider me on that)… With water: brine, brake fluid, plus just a little sake. Mouth (neat): it is a fats spirit, identical to brother Waterford. Ought to be the pot stills. Apart from that, I discover that it is relatively bought just a little little bit of a number of identified types so far as textured rums go, one thing agricole, one thing Jamaican, even one thing from La Réunion, and even from Demerara. It’s extremely intriguing that it might be some sort of synthesis. With water: clearly agricole-style now, even when that is ex-pot nonetheless and never colonne créole. Freshness and texture. End: medium to lengthy, nonetheless with a sense of ‘synthesis’. Fish cooked in pastis within the aftertaste. Feedback: one other which means of that outdated expression, self-blend. Which is humorous as that is the precise reverse of a mix.
SGP:562 |
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Renegade ‘Pre cask Pearls 2021’ (50%, OB, Grenada)
Farm is Pearls, area is Grapefruit, varietal is Yellow Woman, and naturally that is ex-pot stills once more. It’s a humorous feeling to do precisely what we have already been doing at Bruichladdich twenty years in the past, making an attempt to match new makes from completely different farms and terroirs. Color: white. Nostril: the distinction are large, however the type is similar. I’d say that variations could be extra apparent than with whiskies similar to Bruichladdich or Waterford. Lengthy story quick, petrol and rotting bananas up, definition greater, some parsley and coriander showing, but complexity just a little decrease. And strawberries! Water not wanted. Mouth (neat): seemingly nearer to the Bacolet, however I will not maintain taking part in the ‘discover the variations’ sport or I am going to down a litre of every and maintain hesitating… End: relatively lengthy, maybe just a little smokier? Feedback: someday somebody will smoke sugarcanes, however it’s important to try this on location as they only would not journey – and cane juice is even worse. What’s extra, relatively funnily, I discover these nearer to Islay than Waterford is.
SGP:562 |
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Let’s rapidly attempt just a few extra…
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Renegade ‘Pre cask Dunfermline 2020’ (50%, OB, Grenada)
Pink cane this time. This one’s far more completely different, with some sort of waxy sulphur (good), white asparagus and inexperienced tea, white truffles, fennel seeds, borage… The palate is relatively thick, with some salted liquorice (salmiak) and a mix of manzanilla with sake, plus late-harvest pinot gris. Completely. No, actually. Not completely my favorite nostril, however most likely my favorite palate this far.
SGP:472 |
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Renegade ‘Pre cask New Bacolet 2021’ (50%, OB, Grenada)
Pink cane this time once more (Lacalome purple). Again to the extra ‘common’ type. What’s extraordinarily troubling is that these are all fairly completely different once you first quick-nose them, whereas they might then converge. That is why the perfect technique stays to ‘quick-sniff’ and to by no means, ever maintain your nostril over or in your glass for a couple of second or two in a row, as a result of your mind will immediately begin to filter/improve what you get. What I imply is that when tasting spirits, you really want to trick your personal mind in order that it does not trick you. Anyway, there’s really extra gasoline on this nostril. Recent palate, salty and lemony, with many herbs, angelica, wild carrot, wormwood…
SGP:562 |
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Renegade ‘Pre cask Dunfermline 2020 column’ (50%, OB, Grenada)
Certainly you possibly can consider we already quick-tried this one however this time it has been distilled in a column nonetheless, whereas the opposite Dunfermline was ex-pot-still. That is additionally one other area (Skeans) however the ‘terroir’ is simply the identical. It is referred to as Mango Lane; certainly Sir Paul might write a tune… Effectively, the nostril right here explains why pot stills are so vastly superior, except you have bought actual quick columns and/or shunt the plates. All proper, it is a delicate nostril, relatively floral and gently perfumy, with many small herbs, flowers and teas, however in my e book the sturdy and rustic pot nonetheless model works higher. That is not precisely the identical on the palate, the place variations are rather less apparent. You lose oils, you win fruits and sweetness, plus candy roots, even beets (that is the final straw) and salsify. Nothing is clear in these issues.
SGP:641 |
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Good, I have been holding all these Renegades for a very good twelve months to allow them to quiet down and discover their equilibrium. Proper, their stability. To be completely trustworthy, identical to a very good Bordeaux, they had been first just a little closed and ‘jumbled-over’ on the identical time, and that is why I had determined to offer then a minimum of ten months of relaxation. Not the worst concept I’ve ever had (hum-hum), however I am going to say no extra.
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 Test the index of all rums we have tasted thus far
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