enjoy your new knowledge

Now that the basics are covered, all that's left is for you to try it! Many of the rums and liqueurs profiled in this blog can be procured relatively easy. *pro-tip* If you are itinerant or have a family member that is, duty free alcohol is the most cost effective. Alternatively, if you're in Trinidad, here are a few liquor outlets that you can visit: Naughty Grape (Bryden's retail arm)Naughty Grape Website 81A Mucurapo Road, St. James BottleStop...

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Sipping rum with a liqueur - Choice #4 Amaro di Angostura

This is a relatively new product from Angostura. Was fortunate enough to attend the launch in 2015 where they also debuted a signature cocktail which featured their single barrel rum. Warm and robust cinnamon and licorice flavors with the award winning Angostura bitters recipe. This Liqueur can really add a kick to your rum. Again due to its strong flavor, I recommend using this liqueur like bitters....a dash or two will do. Tell me if you've...

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Sipping rum with a liqueur - Choice #3 Jagermeister

Not typically thought of as a liqueur but rather a shooter Jagermeister (pronounced yayy-gerr-my-sta) may have slipped past your notice. That's why i'm here. Take it out of the shot glass and pour a little in your sipping rum! Jager is quite flavorful (fruity and spicy) and can easily over power anything its mixed with, so I recommend using restraint with this liqueur. A drop or two should do the trick...

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Sipping rum with a liqueur - Choice #2 Goldschlager

Although some may snort in derision at the abhorrent nature of anyone that would believe drinking anything containing pure gold flakes makes appear superior, my intentions with Goldschlager are simply for its cinnamon goodness...and boy does this deliver. Adding a dash of this liqueur to your sipping rum has two effects; 1) Cinnamon goodness (of course) and 2) real gold flakes adorning your already exquisite glass of sipping rum. I recommend...

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Sipping Rum with a Liqueur - choice #1 Cointreau

So if you've been following my blog up to this point we've covered a few of the nicer sipping rums in the Caribbean/Latin Americas. We also discussed how to consume them and some tips and tricks for cooling down the warm spiciness of these sipping rums either with- or without ice. Now we're going to talk about adding some additional flavor to these rums. First up? Cointreau. A sophisticated orange flavored triple-sec Traditionally used in...

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If you must use ice, don't just use regular ice

Using a large spherical ball of ice to chill your sipping rum is a great idea. It melts much more slowly, allowing your rum to chill without watering it down. I highly recommend getting a mold. There are a few options (amazon is your friend, use him) that you can choose from however its a pain to make a ball of ice at a time. I recommend buying a few molds, freezing them and saving them in a ziplock freezer bag. This is...

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Chill your rum without ice

When enjoying a premium spirit, why tarnish the taste with water? Providing a slight chill protects the taste without drowning the quality. Sipping Stones are made of all natural soapstone, which is non-porous and won't impart any taste or flavor. Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA soapstone is comprised of talc, which will not react to water, alcohol, or other drinks. When used with care, Sipping Stones will not scratch your glassware. Here's...

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How to sip your rum

So many of the rums profiled in this blog are recommended to be consumed neat, chilled, or over ice. This may seem like a bit of common sense, but there are a few tips that can help you. 1. Take your best shot glass “Grappa glasses are really good,” MacKay says, but notes that “anything that funnels the aromas to the nose is a good bet.” 2. Get warmer MacKay suggests serving rums neat and at room temperature, “because that’s where you’re...

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Where's the rum Pt. 10 - Appleton Estate

I was a bit of conflicted as to whether I should profile this rum or not. In the end I decided that it warranted the exposure even though I'm not particularly fond of this rum. Appleton Estate- proud product of Jamaica is highly favored (though not by me) and has quite the line up. There are 5 products - the V/X, Reserve, Extra, Legacy and 21Yr old. There are also 2 special editions, a 30yr (US$30-50/btl) and 50 yr old (US$3,500/btl)...

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guess what just came in!

Just thought i'd share an update to my arsenal...like the old adage goes .." a picture paints a thousand words" Not sure how long they'll last so best to take a picture... ...

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Where's the rum Pt. 9 - Mount Gay Old Cask (1703)

Welcome to Barbados! home of the popular Mount Gay Rum...for this blog however we'll only be featuring the Old cask product. Boasting over 40 blends to achieve the flavor of this modestly priced rum, you will be pleasantly surprised with the spicy and sweet caramel taste. Aromas: Oaky and caramel notes Taste: Caramel, spice and toast Body: Round and delicate...

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Where's the rum Pt. 8 - Ron Barcelo Imperial

Ron  Barceló Imperial and Imperial Premium blend - product of the Dominican Republic can be found easily enough although the premium blend will run you around 200 bucks! Although not a very distinct tasting rum, it has a light and sweet flavor. Best enjoyed if left to chill prior to consuming in my opinion. ...

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Where's the rum Pt. 7 - Ron Santiago De Cuba

Well it would be an understatement to say this rum is one of the jewels on the crown! While the Santiago 20 year and 25 year old in particular will warrant your full attention, the 12 year old is no slouch. I was only able to try this rum in Cuba and have only seen it for sale in Cuba, but if you can find this in your local bodega, hold on with both hands...

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Where's the rum - Pt. 6 - Ron Abuelo

We are beginning to get where the air is rare - Ron Abuelo- Product of Panama has 4 main products in its line up and honestly they are all worthy of the list ! check out the Abuelo website to learn more about their; 7 Yr old, 12 Year old, Anejo and Centuria. The centuria is definitely the exquisite rose of the bouquet but the entire line up is difficult to find in the Caribbean.  I've only been able to purchase it in Panama and found...

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Where's the rum Pt. 5 - Smaks Chai Rum

Another proud product of Trinidad and Tobago, distributed by Smaks its not the easiest rum to find - but I have been able to pick up a bottle at the Duty Free shop - Twee in our Piarco airport. Their website  sais you can buy it Shop #129, Building #6,  Valpark Shopping Plaza. So is this rum worthy of the list? I'd say a resounding yes! This is a delicious, warm, dark, spicy rum (exactly the color good sipping rum should be). Best...

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Where's the rum Pt. 4 - Pyrat

Aged up to 15 yrs the Pyrat  (pronounced Pi-rate) Xo Reserve is a Anguillan Rum with a strong orange and banana notes.  It is actually this rum that inspired my experimentation with other sipping rums and liqueurs ...

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Where's the rum Pt. 3 - Angostura

As a Trinidadian, the name Angostura is synonymous with the ever popular (and best selling product) Forrest Park Puncheon- a highly distilled over proofed rum which boasts alcohol percentage in excess of 70% per volume. While this type of rum is not the topic of my blog, I thought it was worth mentioning out of sheer popularity. In is regular line-up the only rum worthy of mention as a sipping rum is the 1824. It is a 12 yr old blended rum. Over...

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Where's the Rum Pt.2 - El Dorado

Second on the list is El Dorado . Produced by Demarara Distillers in Guyana, El Dorado Rum has 4 luxury casked products. the 12, 15, 21 and 25 yr old, each unique in their own right. I've only tried the first three..and honestly prefer the 15yr old of those three. The 12yr and 21yr both have a bit of a sharp taste that takes some time to adjust to. That said, neat or over ice (for the purists) is the way to best...

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Where's the rum? Pt. 1 - Ron Zacapa

Here's a look at a few of the rum's I have a preference for found mostly in the Caribbean and South America. By no means extensive, but easily obtainable and makes for a simple introduction to the world of dark rums. ====================================================================== Ron Zacapa -15 & 23yr Old, XO (25 Yr old) Zacapa Website Cost - between USD$45 (1ltr 23) and USD$90 (750Ml XO) Made in Guatemala, this is definitely...

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Why are you here?

Welcome. I would ask how you found this page, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're here. So, obviously, this blog is about rum. Not just any rum. Good Rum. A topic I've fooled myself into believing I'm something of an expert in by virtue of the fact that I've spent the last 10 years or so collecting, and searching for the perfect sipping rum. *disclaimer* If you like to drink rum by the barrel, this blog is not for you. If you like white rum, you probably don't care whether you're actually drinking rum or gasoline...

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