RumShopBoy.com

Cane Island
Barbados
40%
€30
Single Blended Rum – a blend of only pot still and traditional column still

ABV Hydrometer Test: 40% ABV @ 20°
* B

A new (for me) producer of rums from The Netherlands is Cane Island, from Infinity Spirits. Currently they have bottles from Jamaica, Cuba and the one I am tasting today, Barbados. Their marketing describes their products as “Single Origins Rum blends of rum coming from different distilleries from one country.” It sounds interesting – this Bajan rum contains Foursquare (unsurprisingly) and West Indies Rum Distillery product. The blend is aged “from 3 to 8 years”, is a combination of pot and column still and has been aged in American white oak casks.

Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would be classed as a “Single Blended Rum” – a blend of only pot still and traditional column still.

Bottle/Presentation       2/3
Whilst the bottle itself is unremarkable and there is no fancy packaging, what you do get is a label with some useful info and a nice sturdy artificial cork enclosure – far more important. I think a cork enclosure always adds a lot to the image of a drink…a touch of class and a nice satisfying ‘pop’ when you prise it open.

The most apparent thing about this in the glass is the colour. It is a very deep, dark amber. I am assuming there has been some added caramel colouring, which is fine with me as it does make it look quite appealing.

The legs around the glass are very heavy and thick – if I didn’t know better, I would say sugar has been added…surely not in a Bajan rum!

The initial nosing is powerful, for a 40% rum. Go beyond the alcoholic aroma and one can find vanilla with a little smoke and tobacco. I do think it is a little lacking something at this point.

Taste, Initial-middle       33/40
When this touches the front of your mouth, it impresses with its smoothness. Quite light and delicate though, slightly sweet with toffee and vanilla dominating.

Taste, Middle/Throat       32/40
The rum develops a more oakey profile from here as well as losing that smoothness, possibly due to the influence of some of the younger rums in the blend. Don’t get me wrong, this is very welcome as I think rum needs a bit of fire here and there. The rum develops nice tannins and more vanilla that does start to dominate as you swallow. The finish is quite long and once again the smoothness has returned along with some lingering dryness, with possible Sherry influence, maybe a dry Fino Amontillado.

Afterburn       5/7
Anyone who likes the fire of a Velier Foursquare or a similar high ABV rum would be disappointed with the afterburn, mainly because it is too smooth and without real burn. The soft and long finish is a different option to many rums though.

TOTAL       77/100

Overall
The rum is one for drinkers who prefer their rums quite light and smooth without much fire. This is good rum and superb value at €30 a bottle, although I would pick the Foursquare Port Cask over this and both are roughly the same price as this just lacks a little body.

It is a very decent offering from a new bottler.
I look forward to trying their other rums.

 

 

 

 

*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.

Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7
TOTAL 100

Info on Cane Island.

Find this for sale at Zeewijck