Live blogging from RumFest 2016 (Saturday)
One hour till RumFest starts. Going to be a busy day attending several seminars including Ian Burrell’s rare rums, Velier, Mount Gay and El Dorado.
Also looking forward to meeting more rum producers and of course tasting new rums.
#RumFest
#RumShopBoy
Rare rum tasting with Ian Burrell
Rum 1 a 1980’s 5yo Havana Club. Not bad, but not worth £200 / bottle.
2003 Tricentennial Mount Gay…£750 / bottle
Mount Gay Tricentennial…Silky smooth, toffee and oak, aged upto 40years. Long finish with hints of dry leather.
A rum from the 1860’s. French from an unknown source. Smells and tastes like whisky initially. Gets better towards the back of the mouth and very smooth finish.
Onto my favourite rum…Appleton Master Blenders’ Legacy. Wicked! 1,400 bottles produced.
Rum 5…San Cristobel Havana Club. Very dry aroma, hint of caramel and spice. Silky smooth with limited initial flavour that develops more complexity. 2,000 bottles produced at £250-£300 each.
Finally the Rumfest rum of the show. Velier Foursquare 2006, £110 / bottle. 62%. 2,400 bottles worldwide.
Amazing aromas, toffee and gentle spice. Subtle orange.
Stunning flavour, very warming but not fiery despite the 62% ABV. Smooth and long finish. Beautiful.
Thanks to Ian Burrell for the rare rums talk.
Nice Havana Club tasting.
Having tasted dozens of rums worth thousands of pounds, day 1 of Rumfest proper has come to an end.
Published by Rum Shop Boy
RumShopBoy | Honest Rum Reviews, Recommendations & Rum Knowledge
I'm Simon, the person behind RumShopBoy — exploring the incredible world of Rum, Ron, Rhum and Cachaça.
I've been writing about, tasting and collecting rum for many years, with a particular interest in the diversity of production styles, traditions and flavours found around the world.
RumShopBoy is all about honest opinions, independent reviews and helping people discover better rum. Whether you're completely new to rum or already have a well-stocked collection, I want to make the category easier to understand, explore and enjoy.
My content covers individual rum reviews, affordable and beginner-friendly recommendations, Rum Knowledge videos and explorations of rum-producing countries and styles from around the world.
Appleton was where my own rum journey really began, and Jamaican and Barbadian rum remain important reference points for me. Foursquare is another particular favourite, and I'm an advocate of Luca Gargano's proposed reclassification of rum as a useful way of understanding how rum is actually produced.
I hold WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Spirits, achieving Distinction at Level 2. I also hold WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Wine, again achieving Distinction at Level 2.
Away from rum, I'm a Liverpool supporter and season ticket holder, and a long-time Pet Shop Boys fan — which provided some of the inspiration for the RumShopBoy name.
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