From the category archives:

Rum Reviews

Rum Review: Montanya Platino

March 11, 2010
Thumbnail image for Rum Review: Montanya Platino

Montanya PlatinoAmerican rum is a tradition that goes back to the early colonial days when the tricorn hat was still en vogue. While the cyclical nature of fashion has not yet brought back the tricorn (for reasons that still escape me), American rum has been making quite the comeback.

Granted, if you were to consider where American rum would be made a few places might cross your mind. New England has historically be the center of American rums (think Medford Rum). New Orleans and Hawaii sort of jump out at you too. Colorado, on the other hand, probably doesn’t crack the Top Ten list for “Where do I think American rum comes from?”

Montanya Rum is made in Silverton, Colorado. Yes, rum in the Rocky Mountains.

1 comment Read the full article →

Rum Review: Santa Teresa 1796

January 14, 2010
Thumbnail image for Rum Review: Santa Teresa 1796

I seem to be on a bit of a Venezuelan kick lately. That might sound weird on a rum site, but the truth of the matter is that the nation of Venezuela seems to be producing a heck of a lot of good rum, and Santa Teresa is no exception.

In 1796 the Santa Teresa Hacienda was established by the Count of Tovar y Blanco after being given the land by the king of Spain. 100 years later, new owner Gustavo Vollmer Ribas began producing rum on the hacienda. The Santa Teresa 1796 was created in 1996 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the hacienda’s creation.

6 comments Read the full article →

Rum Review: Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

January 7, 2010
Thumbnail image for Rum Review: Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Venezuela probably isn’t the first country that comes to mind when someone mentions “top-shelf rum.” While the rum from the islands in the Caribbean tends to draw all of the attention, the people on the mainland continue to toil in the same hot, sticky weather to make rums that are all their own and every bit as delicious as you might find on any wind-blown island.

Not only are the mainlanders making rum, they’re making damn good rum.

12 comments Read the full article →

Rum Review: Ron Diplomatico Blanco

November 3, 2009
Thumbnail image for Rum Review: Ron Diplomatico Blanco

Ron Diplmomatico Blanco is the newest rum to be brought to us by Distilerias Unidas in Venezuela.  For over 50 years the distillery in La Miel has produced several lines of rums which can be found all over the world.
The Ron Diplomatico line of products has long had shelf-space in my collection.  The Reserva Exclusiva [...]

4 comments Read the full article →

Rum Review: Ron Abuelo 7 Años

September 9, 2009
Thumbnail image for Rum Review: Ron Abuelo 7 Años

Ron Abuelo 7 Años is a rum produced at the very bridge between North and South America: Panama. This particular brand of rums is produced by Varela Hermanos, makers of numerous Panamanian sugar cane spirits – including a sugar cane-based gin! The Ron Abuelo line of products consists of 3 rums, the Abuelo, [...]

7 comments Read the full article →

Rum Review: Brugal Extra Viejo

July 23, 2009

The Dominican Republic is home to a number of wonderful rums.  One of their best-known producers is Brugal, whose Siglo de Oro has already been reviewed here.
A few months ago I was asked to pen an article for Cigar Snob Magazine and give some thoughts on various rums.  One of the initial rums requested was [...]

5 comments Read the full article →

Rum Review: Appleton Estate Reserve

March 31, 2009

The other day I was contemplating a drink and found myself near the Appleton section of my rum shelf (yes, there is an entire section dedicated to Appleton rums, just as there are sections dedicated to El Dorado, Clement, Havana Club – you get the idea).  I had recently reviewed the Appleton Estate Extra 12 [...]

7 comments Read the full article →