Blackwell Gold, not exactly Reggae Rum

[Edward Hamilton]

Chris Blackwell (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20080530T000000-0500_136193_OBS_CHRIS_BLACKWELL_LAUNCHES_HIS_OWN_R UM_LABEL.asp) has launched his own Jamaican rum label.

[Paulipbartender]

Looks like we'll miss the launch but I wonder if we can find some whilst in the area....

The man's a legend in those parts, I hope his rum is similarly good

[Edward Hamilton]

I had exactly the same thoughts. It looks like he's partnering up with some heavy hitters in the US. But then Donald Trump Vodka didn't exactly take that market by the predicted storm.

[primate77]

That last paragraph was odd - focusing on how it will enhance mixed drinks.
A $33 bottle mixing rum???

Great article... I didn't know he was the man behind Island Records, remember the label very well, I was a big Roxy Music fan!

[Michael]

The price point stated is close to that of the Scarlet Ibis, another rum intended for mixing. Assuming that the phrase "in bond" means that it will be a 100 proof version, we probably shouldn't presume too much about the untried spirit. The 98 proof Scarlet Ibis turned out to be a fine cocktail upgrade.

BTW I've been an admirer of Island/Mango for some time. We loved the Wailers, et al, but didn't realize that the adorable Millie Small and her song were also from Chris Blackwell.

[RobertBurr]

Blackwell's Compass Point Recording Studios on New Providence Island has long been famous as a great place to make records. The list of clients is long and storied.

If Richard Branson is watching, I predict Virgin Rum will follow.

[Paulipbartender]

We've just bought back a bottle of Blackwells Rum and cracked it open.

Our first impression is that it's a very strange product. Supposedly the great man himself was very involved in the process working with JW&N to develop a black rum with a blend of tropical flavours. This is not just straight rum.

The packaging is stunning. Beautiful overlapping label with raised map of Jamaica and a large wax seal of the type used to seal old envelopes. Of course CB's contribution to reggae is sold at length on the back of the bottle. Heavy mollasses, coffee, clove and spice flavours predominate the nose and first taste impressions. The finish is a little short with a slightly unrefined quality.

Overall the liquid is a little disappointing - certainly not standing out as the top class mixer/sipper it is designed (and priced) to be. Beautiful bottle for the collection though and I imagine it will be flying off the shelves at MoBay duty free after today

[TheRumelier]

Just had the sister-in-law bring me back a bottle from Ja. today along with one of the expensive Edwin Charley's (haven't seen the bottles yet) Hope the CB is good, but I'm not normally into rums with lots of Caramel added. I think the Edwin Charley will be better, if only for the beautiful bottle!!

[Ben]

Keep us informed Rumelier, I have received one bottle from my brother-in-law last January, and did not open it yet. I'd like to use it in our rum flights, but I am not sure how to introduce it.

[TheRumelier]

A really quick first impression and not a true review. I just had a glass of El Dorado 5 YO in the new bottle before this, so it might not be a fair tasting as ED5YO has to be one of the best value rums ever.
CBBG Dark colour, but not as dark as anticipated.
Aroma is pretty good, heavy rum with lots of burnt sugar/caramel, smelt more when sniffing from the bottle.
Initial taste was pretty good then it just changed completly and seemed to fade and change to a different lighter rum. I think I was quoted in Miami as saying "If it's from Jamaica it should be good" (about Jack Tar rum from Jamaica and bottled in S.Africa)
This rum is made by JW&N who won't put their name on anything bad and after a couple of sips it does grow on you. You can taste it's Ja. heritage, heavy, dark and sweet. I think it is a reasonable rum that has had caramel in large ammounts added to it (as the owner admits to) so would be good as a floater or in a cocktail that requires a strong rum flavour, ideal with a coconut rum and comes in a nice package. Thanks again to my sister-in-law for picking this up and especially for spending $100 on an Edwin Charley Foundation for me, way beyond the normal calls of duty!!

[Count Silvio]

Keep us informed Rumelier, I have received one bottle from my brother-in-law last January, and did not open it yet. I'd like to use it in our rum flights, but I am not sure how to introduce it.
Ben, perhaps introduce it as spiced rum since it is not straight rum like Paul says. Thats what I would do atleast.


I had a quick taste of this rum at IPB last year and I liked it, at the moment I didn't notice any obvious flavourings, though admittedly I had been sampling a lot (A LOT!!!) of rum after I tried this rum.

Either way based on that sampling I would be interested to try it again, perhaps a bit less rummed up :D.

A really quick first impression and not a true review. I just had a glass of El Dorado 5 YO in the new bottle before this, so it might not be a fair tasting as ED5YO has to be one of the best value rums ever.
CBBG Dark colour, but not as dark as anticipated.
Aroma is pretty good, heavy rum with lots of burnt sugar/caramel, smelt more when sniffing from the bottle.
Initial taste was pretty good then it just changed completly and seemed to fade and change to a different lighter rum. I think I was quoted in Miami as saying "If it's from Jamaica it should be good" (about Jack Tar rum from Jamaica and bottled in S.Africa)
This rum is made by JW&N who won't put their name on anything bad and after a couple of sips it does grow on you. You can taste it's Ja. heritage, heavy, dark and sweet. I think it is a reasonable rum that has had caramel in large ammounts added to it (as the owner admits to) so would be good as a floater or in a cocktail that requires a strong rum flavour, ideal with a coconut rum and comes in a nice package. Thanks again to my sister-in-law for picking this up and especially for spending $100 on an Edwin Charley Foundation for me, way beyond the normal calls of duty!!

Rumelier, thanks for reminding me, I need to get those Edwin Charley bottles for my collection :).

[RonJames]

Maybe use it in a grog? Always thought that the jamaican heaviness is what gives a good body to navy rums. With a grog you could offset some of that carmel with the lime and water. Just a thought, hey, its got to be better than using it in a blue hawaiianlaughing.gif

[Joe Riley]

So how does it compare to, oh say, Coruba?

[Ben]

I finally opened my bottle (15 months after receiving it) and was quite satisfied.

I did not find it very similar to Appleton's offerings. I suspect it is a young rum (certainly less than 7 years) to which different spices are added. Caramel was mentioned, but I tasted vanilla as well.

I drank it neat, and it was enjoyable. It's certainly not a great rum, but I would say it is well mixed.

Then again, my judgment may be tainted because I hadn't have any rum in two weeks! When it happens I tend to be more appreciative.