Karukera

[Tiare]

We have got a new agricole here, only for a limited time, its called Karukera.
Its from Martinique and have a ti punch recipe on the back label.They have blanc, vieux 95 and 97 and Reserve Speciale Rhum Agricole.

Have anyone tried this rum?

[Rum Runner]

The information I have shows Karukera comes from Guadeloupe. It's also the name of a village on that Island. I see it for sale in the Italian ebay and other web stores. Pictures of the labels clearly show Guadeloupe on the labels.

[Tiare]

Yes, i just have discovered that!
But in the shop on the shelf it was listed from Martinique...
Have you tried it?

[Rum Runner]

Maybe the shop owner needs a geography lesson? :)

[Tiare]

The only agricole from Guadeloupe i`ve tried is my Montebello vieux. As from what i read the Guadeloupe agricoles are a bit more rough? or grassy?

[Hank Koestner]

I am glad that we know that this rhum is not from Martinique, because I thought someone was attaching the name by purchasing rhum from the Island and bottling it somewhere else. I have never heard of this one, and I have seen a number of rhums from Guadaloupe. Yes, the rhums from Guadaloupe are very robust, and the blancs are not as refined as from Martinique, more grassy and herbal. But I am very fond of them, and they make wonderful Ti Punches.

[Edward Hamilton]

I would second that Hank. I've traveled all over Guadeloupe and don't know that town, unless the distillery is new, which I doubt, it is a private label.

I just found the village Karukera (http://www.village-karukera.gp/us/) on the internet, this is a tourist area which suggest a private label. For a limited time, says a lot.

[Hank Koestner]

It would be interesting to know more about this one.

[Tiare]

I think they rather should import La Favorite or Neisson here.

[Mattia Volontи]

As I know Karukera it's produced in Distillerie Esperance, in Guadeloupe.
It's imported in Italy by Luca Gargano, a famous selector, and it's available here from march.
I don't know if Karukera is a private label or a new commercial product from Longueteau...Ed, I'll wait news from you :-)

Unfortunately I've never tried it for now, but as I like all the powerful-grassy Guadeloupe agricole, I hope to enjoy this new Karukera line.

[Tiare]

I bought a Swedish Whiskey magazine today and to my surprise i discovered an article about Karukera in it so i will translate it for you here:

"Guillaume is son to the famous Christian Drouin, and while visiting Haiti he discovered that rum could be as good and noble spirit as the famous Calvados.

Guillaume became interested in the rum and wanted to produce rum of the same high quality as his fathers Calvados.He started cooperating with the oldest distillery in Guadeloupe, Distillerie Espйrance at Domaine du marquisat de Sante-Marie which is 70 hectars at the Capesterre-Belle-Eau.
In 1493 Guadeloupe was called Karukera by the Carib and Arawaks, it means "The island with the beautiful waters".

The white rhum agricole is blended and aged by Drouin and the distillery makes this rum from the fresh sugarcane juice from their own grown "Blue Cane" which originated in Barbados.

There are now 2 Karukera rums for sale in this country, its Karukera vieux 1997, (priced at 697 swedish crowns". It has been aged in small Bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength (46,3%) free from additives.
This rum has a pronounced nose in which can be found, fig notes and some fine arrak.It has a powerful flavor which stays long.

Karukera Rйserve Spйciale (42%) is a blend of over 5 year old agricole that also has been aged in small used Boubon barrels. it has a peppery nose which transforms to fruity notes which are also in the taste. (Its priced to 475 crowns.) "

End of article

I have also seen a third Karukera here, a blanc vieux 95.

I haven`t tried any of these yet.

[Hank Koestner]

Thanks for this article, Tiare. I hope to taste this one at some point.

[RumClub]

Hi,
I've organized a tasting in Milan, Italy, for the next week, in which one of the four Rums will be Karukera 1995 Rhum from Guadaloupe.
If someone of you will be near here...
http://www.rumclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/locandinamulligans1.jpg
I will report all comments and tasting notes..

Karukera are:

- Rhum Blanc 50%

- Rhum Reserv Speciale 42%

- Karukera 1995 42%
http://www.rumclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/karukera-1995.jpg

- Karukera 1997 46,3%
http://www.rumclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/karukera-1997-463.jpg

[Tiare]

Daniele, its some interesting rums on that tasting apart from the Karukera, would you also please tell us the tasting notes of the Nation Panama -18, Caroni -83 and Enmore - 88?

Seems like a very nice rum tasting!

Cheers!

[Mattia Volontи]

Hi,
I've organized a tasting in Milan, Italy, for the next week, in which one of the four Rums will be Karukera 1995 Rhum from Guadaloupe.
If someone of you will be near here...
http://www.rumclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/locandinamulligans1.jpg
I will report all comments and tasting notes..


Daniele, I'm sure to come here at that tasting only beacuse I want to see the old Saint James :D
And for tasting, of course.

[Count Silvio]

What a wonderful place to have a tasting at this time of the year!

[forrest]

Hi,
I've organized a tasting in Milan, Italy, for the next week,

Oh how i wish to be in Milan. . .

[rubin]

I am actually sitting with a bottle of the Reserve Speciale, bought in Copenhagen yesterday.
It is not the best rhum agricole I have tasted. Not quite as good as the Clement Vieux, and far inferior to the Clement 10 ans d'age. It is, as suggested, quite grassy. Medium legs. And a somewhat short aftertaste. It is quite agreable with a drop of water.

I website I stumpled opun, suggested that Karukera is the lokal indian name for Guadelupe.