Author: Rum Shop Boy

Rum Ambassador | Reviews | Opinions | Consultant. A lover of rums, especially British-style from countries such as Jamaica and Barbados. Rum ambassador. Reviews. Rum opinions. Rum advice. Rum news. Rum chat. Rum discussion. My first rum was Appleton and that is generally the benchmark I use for comparing rums along with Foursquare. My collection now has (in 2023) over 600 different rums and that number is continually growing. I am an advocate of the Gargano rum re-categorisation. As well as rum, I am a big Liverpool fan (and season ticket holder) and love Pet Shop Boys (hence the blog name). I have a Level 1 WSET qualification in Spirits, Level 2 with Distinction. I also have Level 1 WSET wine and Level 2 with Distinction qualifications.

Comparing Barbados and Jamaica Rum: Who Wins?

Posted in Appleton, Barbados, Clarendon, Foursquare, Hampden, Jamaica, Monymusk, Mount Gay, New Yarmouth, Pure Single Rum, Rum, Single Blended Rum, St. Nicholas Abbey, WIRD, Worthy ParkLeave a comment

An answer to the age-old question of which is better?
Rum from Barbados or Jamaica.

Black Tot Rum: A Tasting From 2020 to 2025

Posted in Aged in ex-Sherry Casks, Australia, Barbados, Black Tot, Blended Rum (a mixture of column and pot), Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Rum, Solera, TrinidadLeave a comment

A Tasting Session of 2025’s Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve and A Look Back at Earlier Black Tot Editions.

Tasting Highlights from The Whisky Exchange Rum Show 2025

Posted in Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Black Tot, Don Q, DropWorks Distillery, Elixir Distillers, England, English Harbour, Fiji, Foursquare, Hampden, Havana Club, Ian Burrell, Jamaica, Long Pond, Rum, St. Nicholas Abbey, Tamosi, The Rum Show, The Whisky Exchange, Worthy ParkLeave a comment

Rum Tastings at The Whisky Exchange Rum Show 2025

Rum Tastings at Bar Convent London: Highlights & Experiences

Posted in Barbados, BCB London, Black Tot, DropWorks Distillery, England, Foursquare, Montebello, Rum1 Comment

Rum Tastings at Bar Convent London: Highlights & Experiences

The Rum Show 2023 (c/o The Whisky Exchange)

Posted in Admiral Rodney, Black Tot, Bristol, Chairman's Reserve, Don Q, Foursquare, Raconteur, Richard Seale, Rum, Tamosi, The Rum Show, The Whisky Exchange, Touchstone3 Comments

“Four hours of top rums at the trade session of The Rum Show 2023.”

A slightly belated look back!

Black Tot Day Infinity Bottle 2023

Posted in Australia, Barbados, England, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Navy Strength, Rum, Trinidad, UK, USALeave a comment

My good friend, fellow rum-geek, Mr. Kevin Brooks has created an infinity bottle of navy strength rums for Black Tot July 31st 2023. Here is his story!

Cihuatán Jade

Posted in 4 Year Old Rum, Cihuatán, El Salvador, Jade, Modern Rum: From a modern multi column still, RumLeave a comment

El Salvador rum, crafted by hand in the heart of the Cihuatán valley.

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XXI 2010

Posted in 12 Year Old Rum, 2010, Barbados, Exceptional Cask Selection, Foursquare, Richard Seale, Rum, Rumfest 2022, Single Blended RumLeave a comment

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XXI 2010.

The latest iteration of the limited edition Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection is XXI (21)
and called 2010, the latest ‘Vintage’ expression in the range.

Spiced / Flavoured “Rum” and Additives

Posted in Additives, Spiced, Sugar Bomb7 Comments

Spiced / Flavoured “Rum” and Additives: What is the fuss about spiced rum?
Does the image of rum have a problem?
Did someone say “undisclosed additives”?

23 spiced/flavoured rums are reviewed, too.

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XX: “Isonomy”

Posted in 17 Year Old Rum, Barbados, Exceptional Cask Selection, Foursquare, Isonomy, Richard Seale, Rum, Single Blended Rum1 Comment

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XX Isonomy: “Equality under the law”

*REVIEW* of Foursquare’s latest Exceptional Cask Selection.