Jimmy Rum - RumRum Barrel 12
Diplomatico - Seleccion de Familia
Clement Rhum - Vieux Agricole Select Barrel
Husk Distillery - Lost Blend
Ron Izalco - 10 Year Old: One of the things I love about these Advent Calendars, is discovering new (to me) rums/distilleries such as this one. This rum is one that keeps on giving: 3 smell tests, each time getting different aromas. 1st, I got mainly raisins; 2nd, I got red chilli and tropical fruits; 3rd, I got notes of citrus. The palate is a combination of all of that, with vanilla and honey. Amazing.
Today was my last day of work for the year 🥳
Tin Shed Distilling Co - Requiem Rum SS Ferret: Direct from the website " Each expression of Requiem is a tribute to a ship, wrecked or lost at sea and to the seafarers who sailed in those ships." The SS Ferret was a Scottish cargo steamship, laid down in 1871. The SS Ferret was stolen in 1880, and ended up running aground in 1920 on a beach in South Australia (all crew survived). Now that the quick history lesson is out of the way, on to the rum! I get notes of Vegemite on the nose in the first run, then dark chocolate, orange peel, grass. The palate reveals orange and matcha green tea, and bitter dark chocolate. In the immortal word of Owen Wilson: "Wow."
We're getting down to the business end of Advent!
Winding Road Distillery - Coastal Cane Pure Single Rum: We're back with another expression from Winding Road, who I've just realised are based in Tintenbar, about 20 minutes south of Byron Bay (and slightly closer to home). We have another Agricole-style rum that has a surprisingly non-Agricole nose. I immediately got notes of caramel and toffee, with only a hint of earthy/grassy characteristics. The palate has a bit more of those Agricole characteristics, while the caramel and toffee notes take a back seat. This probably makes it a good introduction to the style of Agricole for your family or friends. Or, you could do what I did, and give them a proper French Rhum Agricole 😂
Ron Zacapa - Sistema Solera 23: In the rum world, this rum is rather controversial, particularly around the use of the number 23 on the packaging. Frankly, if you're in the know when it comes to rum, then you know what you're getting with it. If you're not, it's still a decent rum for the price point. Either way, and I will die on this hill, there isn't an actual issue. Now, on to more important matters: tasting notes. The nose you will find is sweet and nutty, with honey, chocolate, and a hint of tobacco. The palate is sweet, and easy to drink, with molasses and dark brown sugar characteristics, and a slightly smoky finish.
Saint James - VSOP: Rhum Agricole is the French term for r(h)um distilled directly from pressed cane sugar instead of fermented juice (which makes Cachaça) or cane byproducts like molasses. Saint James was established in 1765, so you know they know what they're doing. I get notes of grass with a hint of green apple, cinnamon and pepper on the nose. On the palate, there's a certain funk I can't quite place, in addition to the notes from the nose, as well as vanilla pod for a (very) slight hint of sweetness.
Lord Byron Distillery - Pure Single Rum: I'm not sure which batch number this is (likely 2 or 3), but head to the Shop Purchases page for the review of Batch 1.
The Aisling Distillery - Riverina Rum Shiraz Cask: The initial release of this was limited to only 700 bottles, so I'm curious what number bottle made up the sample. It has a very rummy aroma, with burnt sugar/molasses, Shiraz, and wood. The palate is smooth, with a little kick in the middle, and holds the notes from the Shiraz cask, with a touch of grass.
Worthy Park Estate - Single Estate Reserve: This was also the rum of the month for May 2021. Head up to the main 2021 page for my review of this rum there.
Spirited Union - Sweet Orange & Ginger: A botanical rum that's very sweet, and naturally, it has plenty of orange and ginger. At only 38%, it's rather watery.
Boatrocker Brewers - Double Barrel Rum: It's got notes of all-spice, vanilla, dark chocolate, and a hint of orange. All up, quite nice.
Capricorn Distilling Co. Pineapple Rum: Does exactly what it says on the tin, and it does it well.
Equiano Rum Co: They don't have a name for the rum, but that's fine. This was also the Rum of the Month for June this year, so head to my 2021 page for the review.
Sticker to protect my old man's identity, but I'm cool with putting my own mug out there for you all to gaze upon.
Pampero Anniversario Reserva Exclusiva: Venezuelan rum is some of my favourites, and like a few others, I've previously posted about this expression (now located in the archives). On the nose, I get chocolate and cocoa, molasses, and a hint of hay. The palate is a bit different, with more of a caramel character, with spices and a slightly woody layer.
Jimmy Rum Silver: I was wondering when a Jimmy Rum would appear! The Silver was their first release, and with Batch 4, I found notes of ripe tropical fruits, grasses, and vanilla. A touch of butterscotch follows through at the end. Great to sip neat, or mix in a cocktail.
Hoochery Distillery Spike's Reserve 7y.o.: Raymond 'Spike' Dessert III was the founder of Hoochery Distillery, Western Australia’s oldest continuously operating (legal) still. Rich aromas of oak and dried fruits wait to greet you. It tastes great: woody and fruity, and "golden" (I'm unsure how to adequately describe what I mean by that, but it's great). Sadly, Spike passed away in 2017, but it's great to see his amazing legacy continue.
Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum: Plenty of cinnamon notes on the nose, along with gingerbread and citrus. On the palate, the citrus takes the front seat, with the cinnamon taking the back seat - still noticeable, but not overpowering. A very Christmas rum.
Berry Bro's and Rudd Barbados: I can't quite place the nose on this one, I get some pretty nice notes of oak, pineapple, and brown sugar, but also pick up some notes like Thai satay. Perhaps it's sensory overload 😅 The palate is cleaner, with those first notes from the nose.
Killik Handcrafted Silver Overproof: like the website says, I get notes of stone fruits, pears, and a hint of bubblegum and molasses. Being an overproof rum, it ha bit of a bite to it, but it's still enjoyable.
Brix Distillers Trail Mix: From now on, this is the only trail mix I'll accept 😂 It has nutty aroma, with Christmas spices. The palate is exactly what you'd expect liquid trail mix to taste like.
Ableforth's Rumbullion! XO 15 years old: Rumbullion makes a regular appearance in the Drinks by the Dram Rum Advent Calendar. There's some citrus and leather notes, with mulled wine and spices on both the nose and the palate. Pleasantly smooth, with a slight citrus tang.