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Tasting Notes
International Cane Spirits Festival®
CACHACA, RHUM, RUM, LIQUEURS, CREAMS
AGUA LUCA CACHACA
Excelsior Imports
Country of Origin: Brazil
Distilled from the fermented juice of high quality, hand cut sugar cane within 24 hours of harvesting, Agua Luca employs artisanal techniques and traditions which have been refined over 450 years. It is then filtered 12 times to produce a smooth and lively finish. Among its accolades, Agua Luca cachaca proudly holds the Silver Medal of the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the most prominent international spirit competition held in the U.S.
BELEZA PURA CACHACA
Excalibur Enterprise
Country of Origin: Sao Paulo , Brazil
Super Premium-unaged Cachaca. Pure says a lot about this cachaça, which is produced with selected lots of sugar cane, wild yeast, and a distillation process that captures the essence of the sugar cane to produce the freshest, smoothest spirit available. Beautysays a lot about the vibrant country where Beleza Pura is made: From sunset cocktails on Ipanema Beach to Sao Paulo ’s nonstop nightlife, Beleza Pura Cachaca brings you a taste of Brazil ’s stirring culture.
BRADDAH KIMO’S Mo’ BETTAH GOLD RUM
Country of Origin: Hawaii USA
Haleakala Distillers
Braddah Kimo makes his Gold rum, using pure Maui-grown sugar cane, pure Maui water and lots of brilliant Maui sunshine. Handcrafted in small batches, a great rum for mixing or just sipping on the rocks. Made only on non-surfing days. Reviewed by at least four international experts, all favorably!
CANNES ROYALE RUMS
Eastern Caribbean Rum Company Ltd.
Country of Origin: Grenada
Cannes Royale Extra Old
Each batch is precisely blended using rum of the highest quality, which has been aged for up to 8 years in toasted Oak barrels. During its long maturation process, the rum is gradually mellowed and allowed to absorb the natural tannins of the wood, giving it is dark copper color and its uncommonly smooth and balanced character “…a classy extra old rum that’s long on balance and stately presence in the mouth; bravo, great job here…” F. Paul Pacult, Spirit Journal, 12/2002. Rated 4 stars ‘Highly Recommended’
Canne Brulees White Overproof
is a premium over-proof dark rum, blended according to a local Grenadian recipe; each batch uses barrel aged rum and is individually prepared by their master blender. Canne Brulees is so smooth, you can drink it without a chaser. 120 Proof
Canne Banane
Extra smooth over-proof, pure white rum infused with natural banana flavor. It is a blend of ultra pure column-distilled white rum with just the right amount of natural banana flavor. 140 Proof
COCKSPUR
Goddard Enterprises
Country of Origin: Barbados
Cockspur Fine Rum
An extremely pleasant experience for what could be considered a standard rum. Dark sugar and alcohol overtones are very predominant, very slight lemon undertones. A wonderful drink! It’s colour is very light grapefruit /star fruit yellow. The nose is sherried alcohol with a warm sensation. First trip to the nose implies a mellowy sweet and honey waft until just after halfway into the experience and then the demerara sugar kicks in to complete the second leg. Not complex but very pleasant. Its taste and texture starts extremely smooth, becoming spicy on the palette. Light bite on the back of the throat and upper front gums. Peppery crescendo although very round and warm giving way to Caribbean cinnamon spice. Great mouth feel getting slightly buttery towards the end.
Cockspur 12 YO VSOR
A beautiful sherry red & intense plumy colour. It’s nose is intense and alcohol filled explosion on the nose. Very measured woody and constant undertones throughout with shortbread making a brief visit. Orange peel and rock sugar. Rich, ripe plums and Caribbean Fruit cake flavours are apparent right from the very start. Strong brandy type influence is always present. The kind of flavour experience that your nose would ask for on its birthday!
The taste and texture is wonderfully smooth and deep rounded velvety taste with a clove or two making a brief but special appearance. Some dryness occurs at the back of the mouth with an intense but pleasant tingle all round the upper gums that spreads to the lips. Earth and woody tones are present along with a prolonged spice experience. "Velvet on the tongue" feeling that pans out into a dry aftertaste. Intensely pleasing throat burn and bite and a huge warming sensation as it goes all the way down to your socks
Confident, weighty and complete. A complete meal in a glass on a cold winter's night. This is what drinking rum is all about! Definitely one for the connoisseur. A fabulous rum...
Cockspur Rum Punch
Cockspur Rum Punch is an exquisite blend of tropical fruit juices and award winning Cockspur Rum. This delicious Rum Punch is ready to drink, just add ice and garnish with grated nutmeg. For Planter's Punch, add a few slices of fresh fruit, such as pineapple, orange or paw-paw. Shake well before use.
DIPLOMATICO
Blend Wine & Spirits
Country of Origin: Venezuela
Dark copper. Vanilla bean and baked banana pie aromas. A viscous, moderately sweet full palate with tons of raisin puree, toffee, molasses, brown spice and pepper. Long smoky wood and spice finish. Perhaps a bit too sweet for the anejo category, but decadently flavored and very attractive (Source BTI, rated 91)
DISTILLERS CHOICE
Essential Spirits Alambic Distilleries
Country of Origin: USA
Distillers Choice Silver
Distillers Choice Gold
No tasting notes are currently available
DOORLY’S EXTRA OLD (XO) RUM
Spirit of Hartford
Country of Origin: Barbados
Somewhere in the hidden depths of the lush tropical forests, for those who seek the extraordinary, there lives a rare bird. It is the beautiful Blue Hyacinth Macaw. You can find this bird gracing the label of Doorly’s XO Fine Old Barbados Rum. From the House of Martin Doorly comes this rare rum of unparalleled excellence. Created through the time-old traditions of master blenders who have combined Barbados ’ finest oldest rums with a special rare 2 nd maturation in Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks.
FAZENDA MAE DE OURO CACHACA
Dhow Trading Corp.
Country of Origin: Brazil
Fazenda Mae de Ouro when translated into English literally means “The Mother of Gold Farm”. Named for their farm and for the beauty and the golden sunsets, this family tradition has tremendous respect for Mother Earth and their workers who produce this golden distillation. Their distillation in Brazil is called ‘Cachaca Alimbique” because they produce limited quantities in small batches using traditional copper pot stills for distillation.
FOURSQUARE SPICED RUM
Spirit of Hartford
Country of Origin: Barbados
An aged rum with a little bit of cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg gently blended at the distillery. The actual recipe is a family secret passed down through 5 generations. It is bottled in hand crafted European glass bottles with a hand dipped wax seal.
GUAPIARA CACHACA
Guapiara Ind. Com. Ltd.
Country of Origin: Minas Gerais, Brazil
Guapiara Cachaca
Guapiara Lemon Cachaca
No tasting notes are currently available
Tasting Competition Only
INNER CIRCLE RUM
Inner Circle Ltd
Country of Origin: Australia
Inner Circle was first made in the last century strictly for the pleasure of the CSR Company’s employees and very special clients only—hence the name. Inner Circle is made using the Pot Still method, which lends a higher quality to the product. 2 Double Gold Medals, 6 Gold Medals and various additional accolades surround this remarkable rum.
The Red Dot denotes 80 proof.
The Green dot denotes 114.4 proof.
The ultimate Black Dot is 151 proof
KHUKRI RUM
Liquid Treasure Imports
Country of Origin: Nepal
This rums enigmatic dark color offers an elegant contrast against the shimmering gold foil of the bottle’s label. The aroma, as expected, is robust and generous, broadcasting signals of wet oak, dry fruits and caramel. Khukri Rum expands nicely in the palate as well, reinforcing the olfactory notion of a well-rounded rum. Hints of butterscotch, licorice and nutmet can be derived from its complexion. Not surprisingly, considering its origins in Nepal , this rum begs to be consumed with hot water or in any hot beverage. This is an outstanding rum from a distillery which has been at it since 1959. Without a doubt one of Nepal ’s last secrets. (Source: Luis Ayal gotrum.com)
LA FAVORITE RHUM AGRICOLE
Caribbean Spirits Inc.
Country of Origin: Martinique
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Blanc Coeur de Canne
The fresh smooth aroma is accented by tropical florals, the body is rich in citrus and pear notes followed by citrus and fresh sugar cane juice in the finish. Coeur de Canne is the heart of the sugar cane juice spirit distilled in a copper, single-column still, then rested and bottled at the distillery.
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Ambre Coeur de amber
The fresh sugar cane aroma is high-lighted with a white oak tone which carries through the citrus and fruit body to the rich tannins in the finish. Distilled as coeur de canne, La Favorite Rhum Agricole Ambré gains it's golden tint during more than a year spent in oak
vats, called foudres de chêne.
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Vieux
The aroma carries hints of prune, and smoky wood leading to a balanced fig, cinnamon, prune and nutmeg body accented with licorice in the finish. La Favorite Rhum Vieux Coeur de rhum is blended from stocks of rhums aged at least three years. Aging the heart of the rhum in new and used American and French oak barrels imparts a dark brown color that reflects a deep reddish hue.
MACURO RUM
Corporación Macuro, C.A.
Country of Origin: Venezuela
Ron Macuro a unique rum of extraordinary body, distinguished bouquet and exceptional flavor, the result of a complex blend of fine aged rums and special reserves. Crafted with great refinement and mystic in the heart of Venezuela: the Valleys of Aragua.
NIESSON RHUM AGRICOLE
Caribbean Spirits Inc.
Country of Origin: Martinique
Niesson Rhum Agricole Blanc
Bottled at 50°, is rich in freshly-cut sugar cane aroma. The taste of this white rhum agricole is dominated by sugar cane with liberal citrus fruit and tropical floral notes. Although unaged, this clear rhum is allowed to rest for three months before it is bottled at the distillery
Niesson Rhum Agricole Eleve Sous Bois
Bottled at 50°, has a golden color acquired during the 18 months spent in 20,000 liter new French oak vats. Like the Neisson Rhum Blanc, the aroma of Élevé Sous Bois conveys the richness of the sugar cane with a subtle vanilla and cinnamon spice note
Niesson Rhum Agricole Vieux Reserve Speciale
A blend of rhums aged up to ten years in French and American oak barrels at the distillery warehouse. The premium rhum imported from Neisson; the taste of Réserve Specialé is characterized by a rare combination of rich dark fruit and roasted nuts, followed by a balanced smoky oak and vanilla body and hints of spice in the lingering aftertaste
P 51 CACHACA
Sazerac Company
Country of Origin: Brazil
Cachaca, made from sugar cane juice, is one of the worlds best selling spirits. No tasting notes are offered presently.
PIRATES CHOICE RUM
Cristal Clear Spirits
Country of Origin: USA
No tasting notes available at this time
PRICHARDS RUM
Prichards Distillery
Country of Origin: Tennessee USA
Made in copper pot stills similar in design and using techniques of the masters of old, Prichard ’s Fine Rum may be an accurate recreation of that ancient spirit and return to tradition of distilling hand crafted spirits and rum as it was meant to be. Using only Tennessee ’s crystal clear spring water, Prichard ’s uses only ‘Grade A Fancy” molasses from the plantations of Louisiana . Considerably more expensive than regular molasses, its mild flavor and pleasant aroma are passed through the still imparting a smooth and tasteful character to the finished spirit.
Prichard’s Cranberry Rum Prichards Distillery
Prichard’s Crystal Rum Prichards Distillery
Prichard’s Sweet Georgia Belle Liqueur Prichards Distillery
RON ABUELO
Varela Hermanos
Country of Origin: Panama
Ron Abuelo Anejo
“Amber, Sweet, dried tropical fruit, caramel and dried tobacco nose. A voluptuous, soft entry leads to an off-dry, medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet tropical fruits, sugar cane, tobacco and spice. Finishes with a long fruity fade of spice, mocha and nuts with a touch of lacquer. Very tasty and in a lighter vein” (Beverage Testing Institute, 91 Rating, 5/2003)
Ron Abeulo 7 Anos
“Amber. Coconut cream and toasted nuts aromas. A soft round entry leads to a medium-bodied palate with light, fruity caramel, tea leaf and toasted coconut notes followed by delicate spice. Finishes with a long wood spice and roasted walnut fade. A lighter-style aged rum with a fine backbone of flavor” (Beverage Testing Institute,90 Rating and BEST BUY 5/2003
RON BASTIDAS RUM
Santana Liquors
Country of Origin: Colombia
Ron Bastidas 23 Year Old
RON BARCELO
Blend Wine & Spirits
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Ron Barcelo Imperial Premium Blend
Dark copper. Toffee, pickling spices, and lanolin in the nose. A smooth entry leads to a very round, slightly fruity mostly-dry, medium-bodied palate with roasted nut, dark caramel and vanilla bean. Finishes with a delicious buttered nut, spice, caramel fade. A very hedonistic aged Caribbean rum (Source BTI, rated 97). Gold Medal from International Rum Festival
Ron Barcelo Gran Anejo Gold Medal, International Rum Festival
Ron Barcelo Dorado Gold Medal, International Rum Festival
RON BOTRAN RUM
Dana Importers
Country of Origin: Guatemala , Central America
Ron Botran White Rum
Ron Botran Oro (Gold) Rum
Light copper. Strong brown spice nose. A vibrant attack leads to a full-bodied, mildy sweet palate with gobs of fruitiness and spicy flavor. Flavorful and enjoyable (Source BTI, rated 88)
Ron Botran Anejo 8 YO Rum
Dark amber hue. Sweet apricot and spice nose. A silky entry leads to a lush, off-dry, medium-bodied palate with fine dried fruit, cedar, and molasses flavors. Finishes with a smooth, smoky, wood note.
Ron Botran Anejo 12 YO Rum
Ron Botran Anejo Rums have a dark amber hue with a sweet apricot and spice nose. Silky entries leads to lush, off-dry, medium-bodied palates with fine dried fruit, cedar and molasses flavors. Finish with smooth, smoky, woodnotes (Source: BTI)
Ron Botran Solera Reserve Rum
Pale copper. Cedar, anise and berry jam nose. A racy entry leads to a medium-to full-bodied, voluptuous palate of citrus and caramelized fruit flavors. Mildly sweet with supportive alcohol. Highly enjoyable on its own or as a superb mixer (Source: BTI rated 93)
RON CARTAVIO RUM
Velocity International
Country of Origin: Aruba
Ron Cartavio Anejo Reserva
Natural hints of sherry and raspberry so typical of our rums. Outstanding smell that recalls fine oaks. With distilled fermented syrups, our Master Rum Expert prepares this blend of 3 - 6 years aged rums until obtaining authentic Caribbean rum
Ron Cartavio Gran Reserva
Intense gold rum, naturally prepared during 7 years of aging in oak barrels. The result is old rum with a clean, fine and exquisite flavor for the most demanding preferences.
Ron Cartavio Old Rum of Solera Aged 12 Years
The Master Blender uses ancestral techniques to select and harmoniously combines a variety if rums ranging from 15 to 5 years old, aged in Slovenian oak barrels. It is made by using the famous Solera Technique, adopted from the Region of Jerez, Spain, where the finest brandies are produced. After several years, older rum is challenged from cask to cask, in a cascading process, blending with the younger rums. During the ageing process, rum takes a darker color, harmonic balanced, roundness and ripeness, besides hints of spices, light chocolate, light coffee, dry fruits, lightly mellow and it is really smooth.
Ron Cartavio 75ºAnniversary
This aged rum is prepared with fine ingredients, noble wood and 12 years of aging that support its mature flavor. Smells of good aging, natural taste with hints of vanilla, cane and molasses.
Ron Cartavio Blanco (Silver) Superior Rum
Smooth rich white rum, with a characteristic fruity flavor, reveals aromas of vanilla and fine oak scent, developed as a result of its classic blend process and two years of aging. It has a light-tasting fine oak in the mouth, really smooth; with a sweet accent
Ron Cartavio Lemon Rum
Lemon is dominant, but other citrus fruits are added to give an excellent complex flavor
Ron Cartavio Cherry Rum
This is special fruity rum with cherry and cranberry flavors and fine white rums that complement the product flavor and quality very well
Ron Cartavio Passion Fruit Rum
An exclusive blend of white rums with the intense fruit flavor but light sour, exotic, aromatic and refreshing taste of passion fruit. Its extraordinary quality comes from the completely natural flavor used in the special blend of the rums and aromas.
SANTERO RUMS
Santana Liquors
Country of Origin: Columbia
Santero 21 Year Old
Santero 23 Year Old
Santero Coffee Rum
SANTA TERESA RUMS
Santa Teresa
Country of Origin: Venezuela
Santa Teresa 1796
Deep copper color. Rich roasted nut, toffee, coconut, oiled leather, and spice aromas. A smooth entry leads to a silky, dry medium-to full-bodied palate with toffee, roasted nuts, tobacco, and spice. Finishes with a long toffee, and spice fade. Very elegant, sensual, and powerful with remarkable balance. (tasted on Jun-17-2005 by the Beverage Testing Institute; 95 Rating)
Santa Teresa Selecto
The result of a careful selection of first class rums, aged between 3 and 10 years, Selecto is the extra-aged premium rum par excellence
Santa Teresa Gran Reserva
Golden amber with a salmon tint. Creamy caramel and spice aromas follow through to a round, mild, glycerous, off-dry medium body that display creamy caramel and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a clean, butter and spice fade. A very solid mixer (Beverage Testing Institute)
Santa Teresa Blanco
The Blanco is the result of a combination of rums, aged in oak barrels and casks for 2 to 5 years, which are then filtered to give them their characteristic transparency and brilliance
Santa Teresa Rhum Orange Liqueur
This unique sweet liqueur, made with aged rum, is the fruit of the perfect fusion of the finest Santa Teresa rums, which are aged for 2 years in barrels of American White Oak, and then combined with an exquisite maceration of orange peel.
Santa Teresa Araku Rum & Coffee Liqueur
This mestizo liqueur of rum and coffee is the result of mixing the Santa Teresa rums, aged for at least 2 years in barrels of American White Oak, with a strong concentration of coffee. Fine tropical spices and a touch of the purest cane sugar are then added to this combination, creating a golden mahogany, voluptuous and aromatic liqueur with a firm velvety and definitely sensual body.
SEA WYNDE RUM
Castle Brands
Country of Origin: Jamaica & Guyana
An incredible marriage of pure pot still rums from Jamaica and Guyana. F. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal awards Sea Wynde Rum 5 Stars, noting, “…a product of extraordinary quality, scope and character which transcends price…” Superb! Highly Recommended! Pale amber hue. Complex nose of caramel, herbs, spice, and albumen. A delicate entry leads to a dry medium-bodied palate with spice, nut fudge, umnsweetened cocoa, pepper and rubber notes. Finishes with a smoke, medicinal, copper-influenced note and a brush of tingling heat. A very dry, smoky aged rum designed for pot still spirit aficionados (Beverage Testing Institute)
10 CANE RUM
Moët Hennessy USA
Country of Origin: Trinidad
“A Perfect Ten. Consider this a terroir rum in that its fresh natural ingredients bring out the rum’s best flavors. Neat on the nose, this spirit suggests flavors of vanilla, typical of sugar cane. A hint of sweetness lingers on the palate during its long finish, which carries flavors of sugar cane and oak. Although 10 Cane is one of the few rums that could be consumed alone, we also liked it in a daiquiri or mojito, where the rum elevates the taste of the cocktail”, Louis Charles, Novus Vinum, Gayot; 3 ½ Stars (out of highest 4), New York Times, August 2005 and #1 Rum
TRAVELLER’S ONE BARREL
Traveller's Liquor Ltd
Country of Origin: Belize, Central America
Ed Hamilton of Ministry of Rum notes, “the light color reflects the unfiltered content like golden stars in a galaxy. Fresh peach and sweet florals dominate the nose. The entry is silky smooth and sweet butterscotch with a roasted coconut and viscous oily body followed by apple cinnamon spice in the finish. A classic golden rum”. Medium, balanced subtle taste
VELVET FALERNUM
Spirit of Hartford
Country of Origin: Barbados
This famous Bajan “Gold Medal” beverage and mixer, with a uniquely refreshing flavor, was developed by John D. Taylor of Bridgetown Barbados in 1890. Born and bred on the island, this slightly alcoholic sugar cane based liquor is a staple of every Bajan bar. It’s special taste comes from a refined infusion of lime laced with fine cane syrup and ‘botanicals’ including almonds and cloves. A rare treat!
VODKANE
Santana Liquors
Country of Origin: Colombia
Vodkane Cane Spirits Vodka
ZACAPA RUM
Dana Importers
Country of Origin: Guatemala, Central America
Zacapa Centenario 15 & 23 Year Old Rums
This rum was a specialty item made for just the owners of Industrias Licoreras (Distillery) for many years. This rum is produced in a small town in Guatemala which it's name is (Zacapaneca ). In this small town the majority of the population make their income from artisan products made from "Royal Palm". Which is considered art. The artisans pride themselves in making this masterfully crafted, hand-woven wrapper for Ron Zacapa.
This rum is aged like no other rum in the Caribbean . After distilling is complete they rest the rums in American oak barrels. The altitude where they age the rum, in Bodegas, is 8,000 feet above sea level where the weather is cool and limits the loss of a considerable amount of rum that naturally evaporates during the aging process. In some countries the lost product is called the (Angels Share). This allows the rum to have the aging of 23 years.
Many experts consider this rum to be the best in the world. This rum has earned its place in the history books as a benchmark for super-premiums. First place winner in the premium rums category in the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 International Rum Festival tasting Competition. In 2003 it was honored by the International Rum Festival as the first rum ever to be inducted into its hall of fame. Highest Rum score in the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago (98 point Rating).
This rum's dark brown amber color sets the tone for an exciting drinking experience. Well-rounded oak aroma speaks of aging and refinement. In the palate, layer upon layer of flavors including nutmeg, toasted hazelnut and a hint of caramel. Smooth finish, with a long aromatic persistence. Enjoyed best neat or on the rocks.
Zacapa Centenario X.O. 25 Year Old Rum
Chestnut-amber hue. Leather, tobacco, and charred molasses nose. A rich entry leads to a full-bodied, moderately sweet palate of tobacco, burnt caramel, oak, and brown spice elements. Finishes for a mile with a satisfying warm afterglow of alcohol. A seriously structured and refined aged rum. Reminiscent of a fine Spanish brandy (Source BTI, rated 94)