Other Drinks

Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Rum

April 6, 2012
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A mild bitterness makes this thick rum a little unusual. It is not very sweet, quite sippable neat but generally rather for mixing. – Score: 76/100

Sibona Grappa Riserva Botti di Porto

February 18, 2012
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A very nice fruity grappa, but I would never guess that it was finished in a port cask. – Rating: 83/100

Professor Cornelius Ampleforth Besmoked Vodka

February 3, 2012
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This strange concoction can safely be drunk neat, but should best be used to add a smoky touch to cocktails where whisky isn’ t appropriate. – Rating: 74/100

Calvados Couperne VSOP

December 30, 2011

At the price of a standard blended whisky, this calvados offers a very decent value. With a rather typical and taste profile it does not have to fear its more expensive competitors. – Rating: 81/100

Rumbullion! – Spiced Rum

December 11, 2011
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This is a proper spice bomb, not immediately recognizable as rum. The makers mention just a ‘hint’ of cardamom, but for me this is the most dominant aroma. It’s actually quite enjoyable, if you expect rather a liqueur than a real rum. – Rating: 81/100

Matusalem 15 yo

September 11, 2011
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Rather sweet, but it is kept in balance by the gentle wood spices. A nice rum that is a bit on the sweet side and doesn’t show its age too much. – Rating: 81/100

Diplomatico Reserva

September 10, 2011

A rather strange beast, this rum. Being very fresh and strong on the nose, the smooth and sweet palate is quite a contrast. The sweetness is a bit too overwheling for my taste, I have to admit. – Rating: 76/100

Trois Rivières Cuvée du Moulin

September 9, 2011
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This aged rum has similarities to both cognac and certain types of whisky. You might be able to sneak it into blind tasting of either being unnoticed. A very pleaseant drinking experience – Rating: 86/100

Karukera Reserve Speciale

September 8, 2011
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A very fine rum with a good balance of fruit and spice, not overly sweet. – Rating: 85/100

Savanna Grand Arôme 2001 – 7 yo

September 7, 2011

This is excellent, light bodied but very strongly flavoured. The very light vinegar note is not unpleasant at all. Altogether it is much more fruity than sweet. The finish is endless – Rating: 87/100

Macollo Black 12 yo

September 6, 2011

This is quite a delicate, almost fragile rum. It has a great nose and it’s very nice tastewise, but the low bottling strength takes away some of the pleasure. – Rating: 79/100

It’s Rum Week!

September 5, 2011
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Summer is coming to an end. To keep up the spirit I decided to turn this week into the official Dramming Rum Week.

Ron de Jeremy

August 8, 2011
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This rum is a bit on the sweet side. It is actually quite sippable, but the fruity and spicy flavours have to fight a bit against the sweetness. – Rating: 80/100

Brewdog Paradox Isle of Arran

December 16, 2010
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A very rich stout, perhaps a bit too much on the bitter side for my taste but very flavour-intensive. You wouldn’t guess the whisky connection though because it blends very smoothly with the beer. – Rating: 82/100

Evan Williams Honey Reserve

November 29, 2010
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Although it is very sweet, this liquer also offeres a range or rather intensive flavours. If you like it sweet and orangey, this bottle is the right choice for you. – Rating: 79/100

Compass Box Orangerie

October 12, 2010
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This is not your everyday sticky-sweet liqueur, in fact it’s amazingly dry. Extremely tasty and full of aromas, but you might be disappointed if you expect a noticeable whisky influence. – Rating: 82/100

Noa Noa Rum from Tahiti

June 12, 2010

Like Rhum Agricole, this Taitian rum is not made from molasses but from sugar cane juice. This results in a rather un-typical taste. The aromas are not in-your-face but rather subtle. – Rating: 82/100

Sikkim Black Cat Rum

June 1, 2010

This rum has a nose to die for, but it is a bit weaker on the palate. Exotic provenance but a quite decent (and very inexpensive) rum. – Rating: 80/100