Search found 155 matches

by Capn Jimbo
Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:38 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum review: Havana Club Añejo Especial
Replies: 4
Views: 9493

Re: Rum review: Havana Club Añejo Especial

Count you are so right - the grass is always greener, particularly when there's a fence inbetween. On the other hand, when you lust after as many gorgeous Cuban women as I do here in South Florida, something tells you there must be something special about their rum and stogies....
by Capn Jimbo
Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:36 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum review: Havana Club Añejo Especial
Replies: 4
Views: 9493

Re: Rum review: Havana Club Añejo Especial

Count, you are a lucky man indeed. Blessed may be a better description. What I would do to gain access to fine Cuban rum and cigars! Now as you know I'm mad for the history and tradition of rum and Cuba, as most would recognize, plays a very important part. Indeed it established one of the four basi...
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:47 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: El Dorado 12 vs El Dorado 15
Replies: 8
Views: 15853

Re: El Dorado 12 vs El Dorado 15

Paul, you and the IPB boys are really on top of this one. Veeeeeeeerrrry interesting! So, if I understand correctly (based on the later posts) the 12 year is composed of "copper still... blended with wooden double pot still", while the 15 is "double wooden still and copper Coffey still... blended wi...
by Capn Jimbo
Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:11 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum review: Clément Rhum Vieux VSOP
Replies: 5
Views: 8712

Re: Rum review: Clément Rhum Vieux VSOP

Count thanks for the review. This is one of the very few cane juice rums I'd still like to taste, and surely wonder how it will stack up to the offerings of Barbancourt and St. James. It sure is a handsome bottle that keeps reaching out to me, and I will not be able to resist much longer...
by Capn Jimbo
Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:08 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum review: Ron Zacapa Centenario 23
Replies: 31
Views: 151624

Re: Rum review: Ron Zacapa Centenario 23

Count, the rumours of my death are highly exaggerated. I've merely been on a bit of a sabbatical, working on what I hope will be a new and useful rum wheel. It is an amazing amount of work, hundreds of hours so far. This is a terrific comparison, and I couldn't agree more about Z-23 in any incarnati...
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:22 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Ron Zacapa 23 as a benchmark
Replies: 20
Views: 51055

Re: Ron Zacapa 23 as a benchmark

I know that some commercially involved parties (Beverage Testing Institute to mention one, or actually the people behind this organization as well as others) have promoted heavily Ron Zacapa as "the best rum in the world". Well, this is only the opinion of a select group of individuals, and as such...
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:08 am
Forum: The Drawing Room
Topic: A comparison of various tasting glasses
Replies: 9
Views: 32728

Re: A comparison of various tasting glasses

The problem with some of my longer winded posts is that some information can get hidden. Let me summarize and clarify. I do not think the "Flare" is a good tasting glass as it diffuses everything! Simply, you can't have your cake and eat it too. The notion that"nasty" alcohol aromas are diffused whi...
by Capn Jimbo
Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:40 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: El Dorado 12 vs El Dorado 15
Replies: 8
Views: 15853

Re: El Dorado 12 vs El Dorado 15

They are remarkably similar, no surprise. Indeed, there are several leading reviewers that actually prefer the 12 to the 15. Sue Sea and I split on these two, both scored 4 out of 5, both very good rums. Both are Demeraran, medium bodied and soft. Both are well regarded. Both have deep fruit tones i...
by Capn Jimbo
Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:59 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Use of pesticides in Cane fields - safe rhum?
Replies: 3
Views: 4972

Re: Use of pesticides in Cane fields - safe rhum?

Yikes! Yet another reason why Barbancourt cane juice rums may taste better!

I kid. This is a terrible state of affairs, a post of which we should all take close note. Thanks Dupont. It's the American way, I guess...
by Capn Jimbo
Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:17 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)
Replies: 9
Views: 9799

Re: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)

I am hardly illustrious - though I HAVE been known to glow in the dark, lol. And thank you for the kind quotations. I forgot to add something else that is well worth the effort - and that is to create some "testers" - small capped or corked containers, preferably wide-mouthed (a screw top jar works ...
by Capn Jimbo
Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:45 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Review: Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 8 Years
Replies: 16
Views: 19567

Re: Review: Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 8 Years

Aha, the Saint James. Good. You've tried the white and the Ambre. Try the Extra Old and especially the Hors D'Age and you will find even they taste much different than the Ambre and especially from the white. Or try the Clement VSOP. Different again. Still the Martinique cane juice rums have more in...
by Capn Jimbo
Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:32 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)
Replies: 9
Views: 9799

Re: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)

Just go to the wheel links provided by Le Roturier, a couple of posts above. As you will see the outer rims lists a number of aromas and/or flavors. Some wheels subdivide the outer rim aromas into subcategories like "floral", "fruit", "wood", etc. A good way to use these wheels - and learn - is to t...
by Capn Jimbo
Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:35 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Review: Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 8 Years
Replies: 16
Views: 19567

Re: Review: Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 8 Years

You're right. Your sampling of agricoles is too small. Think about it. Does Zacapa 23 taste like Wray & Nephews OP? Or Pusser's? How about Pyrat XO? Mount Gay Sugar Cane, a molasses rum, actually does taste like cane. And never forget that most of the "rhums by regulation" of Martinique are relative...
by Capn Jimbo
Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:24 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Age statements
Replies: 20
Views: 15037

Re: Age statements

One of the rare exceptions is the amazing Richard Seale. He stands rightfully proud on the facts that his rums are made with the highest possible integrity - no additives or flavoring whatever. He makes clear that every single drop of rum in his bottles are at least the age stated. He is an impressi...
by Capn Jimbo
Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:20 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)
Replies: 9
Views: 9799

Re: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)

Bingo, Count! I rest my case. Anyone can create a wheel made up of their personal descriptors. Creating a useful wheel for the rest of us is a massive endeavor as data would both have to be collected and created by a team under knowledgable leadership.
by Capn Jimbo
Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:45 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)
Replies: 9
Views: 9799

Re: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)

I want all the glory... every single bit, every single shred of it! With all the fame and fortune sure to follow! Just kidding. Maybe. Concocting a tasting wheel is a gigantic project and honestly, the kind of one that would suffer death by committee. Wheels are so varied and so personal that what ...
by Capn Jimbo
Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:23 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Berry Bros & Rudd, Port Morant kept in Laphroaig casks 2yrs
Replies: 6
Views: 10339

Re: Berry Bros & Rudd, Port Morant kept in Laphroaig casks 2yrs

Wonderful responses, thanks. No matter what, tasters will have different life experiences (like burning sugar) which become individually memorable. In reviewing we face the dilemma of reporting the experience in personal terms or in terms more clearly accessible by others. Often this is difficult, a...
by Capn Jimbo
Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:14 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)
Replies: 9
Views: 9799

Re: Reinventing the wheel (of flavours)

Yes we should and I have been working on one for some months now. I won't get into great detail, but rest assured this is not anywhere as simple a task as one would think. There has been some very interesting research done, but much of it comes from exhaustive studies of descriptors and frequency of...
by Capn Jimbo
Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:58 pm
Forum: The Drawing Room
Topic: A comparison of various tasting glasses
Replies: 9
Views: 32728

Re: A comparison of various tasting glasses

Yes, neither the Optimol nor the Reko are available, discontinued. I even called IKEA's customer service who did a computer search of all merchandise, including discontinued items. No way. I now treasure the three remaining Optimols (after breaking three) that I own. They are irreplaceable, though I...
by Capn Jimbo
Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:28 pm
Forum: The Drawing Room
Topic: A comparison of various tasting glasses
Replies: 9
Views: 32728

Re: A comparison of various tasting glasses

Have you tried any cask strength or overproof rum from the Flare? No, but at your request I just did (not to mention we have a hurricane - Fay - coming in and a test of overproof just seemed like the right thing to do. After an extensive and dedicated double-blind, completely random sampling - here...
by Capn Jimbo
Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:19 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rivière du Mat Opus 5 - Rhum Agricole, Reunion
Replies: 5
Views: 9867

Re: Rivière du Mat Opus 5 - Rhum Agricole, Reunion

... but I think it is going perhaps a little overboard...
If you'll pardon the pun, yes, lol...
by Capn Jimbo
Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:55 am
Forum: The Drawing Room
Topic: A comparison of various tasting glasses
Replies: 9
Views: 32728

Re: A comparison of various tasting glasses

Flare Glass by Spirit Sippers ( link ) http://rumproject.com/images/flareglass2.jpg http://rumproject.com/images/flareglass1.jpg I was recently in contact with the good folks at Spirit Sippers, who in the best of spirits made a gracious gift of a couple of their new rum tasting glasses to Sue Sea a...
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Berry Bros & Rudd, Port Morant kept in Laphroaig casks 2yrs
Replies: 6
Views: 10339

Re: Berry Bros & Rudd, Port Morant kept in Laphroaig casks 2yrs

"J", could you please distinguish "burnt sugar" from "roasted sugar" from "caramel"? And how about "black pepper" from "white pepper" and "clove"?
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:03 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rivière du Mat Opus 5 - Rhum Agricole, Reunion
Replies: 5
Views: 9867

Re: Rivière du Mat Opus 5 - Rhum Agricole, Reunion

And yet another bottle styled ala Pussers, Mahiki, et al... and properly called a rhum agricole, or better yet - inasmuch as this is an English speaking website - a "cane juice rum". The French and faux French may continue to use the former, lol.
by Capn Jimbo
Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:48 pm
Forum: News Repository
Topic: Seven Fathoms Gets Silver Medal
Replies: 3
Views: 21200

Re: Seven Fathoms Gets Silver Medal

Caveat: be sure to take your Dramamine before tasting this rum! Great post, btw...
by Capn Jimbo
Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:56 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Ron Zacapa 23 as a benchmark
Replies: 20
Views: 51055

Re: Ron Zacapa 23 as a benchmark

This is getting kinda silly. It's not sad at all. Unemployment is sad. BTI has two goals: first to stay in business (their labels are a sufficient sop to the distillers to do that); and second, to provide an accurate and credible resource for rum drinkers. They achieve both swimmingly. Yet based on ...
by Capn Jimbo
Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:36 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Review: Kimberley Cane Spirit
Replies: 8
Views: 8314

Re: Review: Kimberley Cane Spirit

Yes, that clears it up. My confusion was based on the comparison to cachaca's aging (two years or less) - especially as short aging periods are pretty common in rum as well, eg the gold Cruzan at 18 months or most of the whites.
by Capn Jimbo
Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:33 am
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum & Wood Finishes / experiments
Replies: 7
Views: 5516

Re: Rum & Wood Finishes / experiments

Yes, this is Seale's method and he does it very, very well. The only rum he makes that did not get a particularly high score was Tommy Bahama, and that was because Bahama (not Seale) tried to pawn off a rather young rum as a super-premium, based mostly on their "lifestyle" brand. Didn't work. Bahama...
by Capn Jimbo
Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:53 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Rum & Wood Finishes / experiments
Replies: 7
Views: 5516

Re: Rum & Wood Finishes / experiments

I wonder whether this is a distinction without a difference. Whether a rum spends 90% of its time in bourbon barrels and 10% in madiera - or - is a blend of 90% bourbon barrel aged and 10% madiera barrel, it would seem that either way, the finished product would contain elements emanating from both ...
by Capn Jimbo
Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:10 pm
Forum: Rum Cellar
Topic: Review: Plantation Rum Barbados Grande Reserve
Replies: 22
Views: 33777

Re: Review: Plantation Rum Barbados Grande Reserve

I prefer the "rhum de vesou" (cane juice rum) and "rhum de sucrerie" (sugar refinery rum) appellations. If needed be, to add "au goût traditionnel" (of traditional taste) or "autentique" (authentic). So I would say Barbancourt produces "d'autentiques rhums de vesou haïtiens" (authentic Haitian cane...