Mount Gay Eclipse Black is a recently-released 100-proof rum from Barbados. It rounds out Mount Gay’s Eclipse collection, which already includes a Silver and Gold rum. All Mount Gay rums are crafted with two stills – a traditional pot still and a column still – but Mount Gay Eclipse Black features a higher percentage of pot still distillate than the company’s other products. This, along with the higher proof (which equals less water dilution), yields a bolder, more flavorful rum. Mount Gay Eclipse Black is made from a blend of single and double distilled rums aged from two to seven...

September 20th is National Punch Day. While some associate punch with everclear, trashcans and college, a true punch (which is Hindi for “five”), is comprised of five main components: sugar, water, citrus, spice and alcohol. An Indian discovery, punch gained popularity amongst sailors who took advantage of the abundance of Caribbean sugar cane as a perfect ingredient for their new drink of choice. When punch arrived in the new world, many drinkers relished the taste, texture and simplicity of the drink, and enjoyed sharing it in large quantities. “It’s the original mixed drink,” says David Wondrich, drinks historian and author of...

This week Bacardi Rum announced the launch of Oakheart, its first entrant into the spiced rum market. This is a big announcement for the rum giant, which now offers rums across all categories – traditional, flavored and spiced. Bacardi Oakheart is created with a blend of rums mellowed in charred American white oak barrels. From there, spices including maple, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and vanilla are added. The result is what the company calls …a bold, spiced rum straight from the heart of charred oak barrels with an amber hue, a hint of smokiness and unique velvet-like smoothness.  Rich and oaky on the...

With National Rum Day quickly approaching (it’s August 16th) we’ve broken out our bottle of Old Monk Rum, a 7-year-old vatted dark rum hailing from India. Though it doesn’t get much notice stateside, it’s one of the best-selling rums in the world, and it’s India’s biggest liquor brand. Aside from the 7-year expression, Old Monk also produces a 12-year-old rum. On the nose, Old Monk is sweet, with notes of vanilla, molasses and butterscotch. Take a sip and it offers lots of caramel, plus some spice and dried herbs. Given the initial hit of sweetness, it finishes fairly quick and...

Last week, Tommy Bahama, the island-inspired restaurant chain, clothier and rum producer, announced a search to discover the first-ever Tommy Bahama “Rumologist.” Before you ask… A Rumologist is a person with a vast knowledge of all things related to rum – one that can pour, educate, mix and create island-inspired cocktails for Tommy Bahama,” explains Rob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama.  “The person we are looking for must embody everything that a Tommy Bahama Rumologist should be about,” adds Goldberg.  “They must not only love to create cocktails and put new twists on old...

Ron Abuelo is a product of Panama, and the company’s rum production can be traced back to Panama’s first sugar mill, which opened in 1908. Ron Abuelo offers a line of rums, including the Anejo, 7 Años, 12 Años and the recently-released Centuria. Ron Abuelo Anejo is the entry-level rum in the Ron Abuelo lineup, and though it doesn’t carry an age statement, three to four years is a safe assumption. It starts out a bit alcoholic on the nose, but let it settle in the glass for a few minutes, and much of that heat dissipates. Dive in again to find...

July 19th is National Daiquiri Day. We’ve never needed a reason to drink, but hey, we’ll drink to that! National Daiquiri Day celebrates the Cuban-born cocktail that was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and remains a key component to tropical vacations. Over the years, the original daiquiri – a simple combination of rum, lime and sugar – became marred by fruity syrups, sweet and sour and blenders. In honor of the holiday, mix up a traditional daiquiri to reconnect with the classic drink. The Daiquiri 2 ounces light rum (Havana Club, if you can find it) 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice 1 ounce simple syrup Shake...

Plantation’s 20th Anniversary Extra Old Rum is the jewel of the Plantation Rum lineup. It’s a blend of Barbados rums from some of the company’s earliest reserves, which are then matured in used Cognac casks for another 12 to 18 months before bottling. The double aging results in a rum that’s incredibly flavorful. Signature rum aromas like vanilla and molasses mingle with dried fruit notes imparted by the Cognac barrels. Flavors range from vanilla and sugarcane to candied orange, cinnamon, banana and cocoa. The Plantation 20th Anniversary XO is very round and full on the palate, almost chewy, and it...

Flor de Cana Grand Reserve is a 7-year old rum out of Nicaragua. Flor de Cana produces a range of rums, from an entry level 4-year expression to its 18-year Centenario Gold. Each rum is produced with molasses from sugar cane grown on a single estate, which provides consistency throughout the distillation process. Flor de Cana Grand Reserve Rum has a reddish gold hue obtained from its seven years spent aging in American white oak barrels. It has aromas of molasses, fruit and some oaky char, and the taste is of sweet molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. The flavors move...

Haiti’s Rhum Barbancourt makes a range of rums including the 3 Star, which is aged for four year in oak. This rum is distilled from pressed sugar cane juice, rather than the sugar cane byproduct, molasses, which is the base of most rums. Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star has a shimmering, pale gold appearance and aromas of brown sugar and vanilla. The nose is somewhat muted by a heavy alcohol presence, not unsurprising for a relatively young rum. Take a sip though, and the alcohol gives way to rich flavors of butter cream, molasses and burnt sugar. The rum is a little rough...