“Fancy some rum within the solar?”
OOkay, lets get this out of the way in which straightaway: what’s a man who predominately talks about Scotch whisky doing writing about rum? Effectively, being sincere it was Scotch whisky that lead me on this route. As a 19 12 months previous dwelling in Germany I felt I wanted to experiment a bit with the alcohol and spirits that frequented the cabinets of the native bars. Rum was fairly widespread, and I loved the same old spiced rums or darkish rums.
Just a few years later while working within the Caribbean I hung out in Tortola. Typically frequenting the Pussers Street City pub, there I loved many “pints” of rum. As I moved across the islands my adventures allowed me to pattern extra, together with some that ought to by no means have been bottled! Thus, I’ve a wee historical past with the sugar cane spirit.
So, how was it that Scotch impressed this text? Effectively, a number of weeks in the past I used to be in a tasting with Iain Forteath of Angus Dundee Distillers. For these unfamiliar with this group: they’ve each Tomintoul and Glencadam single malt distilleries amongst their manufacturers, and Iain is the grasp blender. A dialog in the course of the tasting of some specifically completed drams from these distilleries raised the subject of rum, particularly Ron Larimar rum. A number of weeks later I took supply of samples of 4 completely different completed rums. The distinction was extra than simply 4 separate types; it was the truth that the end was away from the Caribbean and within the type of Scotch whisky.
I’m very fortunate in that Iain has shared the story of how a Scottish, whisky-led organisation has taken a spirit from the opposite facet of the world and given it a fusion-like welcome.
Malt: Why has Angus Dundee Distillers created a rum model?
Iain: As a world bulk provider we regularly obtain affords of reciprocal buying and selling. We have now a number of markets within the Caribbean, a few of these are rum distilleries.
Malt: The model is comparatively new; was it simply spur of the second stuff?
Iain: We have been provided rum for presumably the final decade, however now we have at all times turned them down as we didn’t have the expertise and have been not sure about releasing a product that we had not produced ourselves.
Malt: What modified?
Iain: The worldwide curiosity in rum has grown. It made us rethink the affords of rum, so we started to take a look at and pattern what our clients needed to supply. One particularly – from Dominica – struck an actual resonance with me, because it had a lean and structured profile, not too dissimilar to a few of our whiskies, and this received the cogs turning.
Our method of placing our stamp on the rum was to do a few of what we do finest and apply some whisky cask ending to additional improve these spirits. After many inside discussions the model “Ron Larimar” was born, Larimar being a uncommon stone discovered within the Dominican Republic.
The rum is produced within the Dominican Republic and spends 5 years in American Oak maturing within the heat local weather. It’s then transported to Scotland and given an additional interval of between 18 to 26 months within the cooler environment. That is the place the Scotch whisky affect is imparted on the rum. The distillers selected 4 completely different cask varieties to complete the spirit in: First fill Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, PX Sherry and closely Peated whisky casks.
Ron Larimar First Fill Bourbon – Overview
On the nostril: One may virtually say that is double bourbon matured, with the preliminary 5 years in American oak earlier than shifting to Kentucky Bourbon casks. For me this provides it a wealthy nostril filled with vanilla and toffee, edges with cream and honey, very clear and clean on the nostril.
Within the mouth: Chocolate, toffee, vanilla, a handful of sweet in a glass! A clean vanilla custard topped with nutmeg and cinnamon, Crème brûlée… yum! On the end, mellow, welcoming and clean. OK I’ve now stated clean within the nostril/palate and end; yikes!
Rating: 6/10
Ron Larimar Oloroso Sherry – Overview
On the nostril: Purple Berries, orchard fruits; it’s full of life and spring-like, recent feeling. Vanilla essence, all this sweetness has an virtually tobacco affect hanging over it.
Within the mouth: Maybe begins with a barely acidic strategy, mellowing to citrus zest, darkish chocolate, caramel, candy apples and pears, that tobacco or previous leather-based affect is there additionally, and a particular wooden affect. On the end, warming and nice, medium and more-ish.
Rating: 6/10
Ron Larimar PX Sherry – Overview
On the nostril: Wealthy and indulgent fruit cake, candy dates, darkish wealthy chocolate, slight musty soiled water trace.
Within the mouth: Dried fruits, raisins, strawberry jam, and a few tropical pineapple in sticky candy syrup. It results in salty caramel, chocolate with a touch of tobacco. On the end, wealthy and lingering.
Rating: 6/10
Ron Larimar Closely Peated – Overview
On the nostril: The vanilla notes from the unique American oak maturation come via; there may be an orchard fruit juiciness battling with a superb smokiness.
Within the mouth: The peat affect is clear from the beginning however doesn’t overpower; there may be the recent orchard fruit, maybe extra on the pear facet; there’s a woody trace and perhaps a lime marmalade. On the end, BBQ fruit cocktail, smoke from a campfire towards the top, a wee little bit of spice.
Rating: 6/10
Conclusions
Effectively this wee journey alongside the Caribbean seashore has actually been an absolute deal with. 4 very welcome pours of rum, and while my head is telling me that I can discover a commonality throughout the 4 what I’m actually stunned with is that I can discover a distinction throughout them. The rum spirit comes ashore in Scotland the identical, however that 18 to 26 months of consideration from the completely different casks does properly to create 4 completely different expressions from the one liquid. I believe it’s a daring try and take one thing and affect it to create a distinct strategy to rum, to attempt to carry it beneath your whisky model’s umbrella.
Maybe I’m shadowed beneath the cloud of romance from attempting one thing new, however because it stands I may actually see myself having fun with and sharing these rums with mates. At round £30 a bottle, these may simply make a return regularly.
Now my one vital query: can or not it’s taken additional? Is there sufficient scope throughout cask availability to seek out completely different avenues for exploration, or has Ron Larimar peaked at this 4? I’d have an interest/excited to see the way forward for the model. My because of Iain Forteath from Angus Dundee Distillers for offering information for the article.
Editor’s notice: these samples have been offered freed from cost by Angus Dundee Distillers, which doesn’t have an effect on our notes or rating.
