Arctic Wolf
07-11-2009, 11:48 PM
As I have been want to do, I like to write down my impressions of a newly opened bottle to share my thoughts. This time my newly opened rum is Voodoo Spiced Rum from the Virgin Islands.
It has a funky bottle with an inverted taper, (This is actually practical as it is easier to hold onto the bottle) a screw cap and some sort of angry TIKI totem on the label.
I pour some into a small glencairn glass and take in the aroma. Faint Vanilla wafts upward and a mild rummy molasses. So far so good. I was warned that this was an inferior rum by many but my first impression is otherwise.
The first taste confirms my initial impression. The main 'spice' in this rum is undoubtedly vanilla. I catch a wiff of something spicy reminding me of Christmas Ham. This must be a touch of cloves. Something a little hot here too, that reminds me of the new Blacksheep Spiced Rum from Lambs. So I'm gonna guess we have Cinnamon in the mix and also maybe a bit of nutmeg. I like that everything is in moderation. They are not trying to knock me over the head with the spice ala Captain Morgan and their disgusting Private Reserve. The Vanilla dominates slightly but not overwhelmingly and the other spices are complementary. I find I can almost sip this straight but not quite. Its just a little rough around the edge.
Now I do my ritual splash of Coke.
The vanilla flavour has been heightened and the other spices give this the flavour of apple pie spices. Definately cinnamon and nutmeg mixed with brown sugar. I like this. The coke has completely smoothed out the rough spots and I could sip this easily.
At 50% coke and 50% rum I like it even more. The spice stays in my throat rather than the vanilla which is fine by me.
At 75% coke the flavour has peaked. The combination of spices in this rum simply were made for mixing with coca cola. My mom used to make these awesome cinnamon rolls and for the first time in years I think I taste them. I can't resist checking the website of Voodoo Rum to see what spices they claim to use. "Madagascar Vanilla, hint of cloves and Cinnamon" is what the say, but I'll bet my bottom dollar they have a touch of nutmeg in the mix. My taste buds cannot be fooled this way.
The verdict.
Contrary to what I have heard I think this is easily one of the best spiced rums I have tried. It is far superior to Captain Morgan's Private Stock, and easier going than Sailor Jerry's. The spices really compliment the rum rather than dominate it. I could drink this with just a splash of coke but prefer the 75 - 25 coke to rum ratio. Frankly I am happy with the result. I tried a small sample about six months ago at Lacombe Spirits in St Albert which caused me to buy two bottles. Since then all I have heard is negativity regarding the rum and have been scared to open a. Its nice to know my initial impressions were bang on.
We'll see how the rum wears on me over the rest of the summer, but so far so good.
It has a funky bottle with an inverted taper, (This is actually practical as it is easier to hold onto the bottle) a screw cap and some sort of angry TIKI totem on the label.
I pour some into a small glencairn glass and take in the aroma. Faint Vanilla wafts upward and a mild rummy molasses. So far so good. I was warned that this was an inferior rum by many but my first impression is otherwise.
The first taste confirms my initial impression. The main 'spice' in this rum is undoubtedly vanilla. I catch a wiff of something spicy reminding me of Christmas Ham. This must be a touch of cloves. Something a little hot here too, that reminds me of the new Blacksheep Spiced Rum from Lambs. So I'm gonna guess we have Cinnamon in the mix and also maybe a bit of nutmeg. I like that everything is in moderation. They are not trying to knock me over the head with the spice ala Captain Morgan and their disgusting Private Reserve. The Vanilla dominates slightly but not overwhelmingly and the other spices are complementary. I find I can almost sip this straight but not quite. Its just a little rough around the edge.
Now I do my ritual splash of Coke.
The vanilla flavour has been heightened and the other spices give this the flavour of apple pie spices. Definately cinnamon and nutmeg mixed with brown sugar. I like this. The coke has completely smoothed out the rough spots and I could sip this easily.
At 50% coke and 50% rum I like it even more. The spice stays in my throat rather than the vanilla which is fine by me.
At 75% coke the flavour has peaked. The combination of spices in this rum simply were made for mixing with coca cola. My mom used to make these awesome cinnamon rolls and for the first time in years I think I taste them. I can't resist checking the website of Voodoo Rum to see what spices they claim to use. "Madagascar Vanilla, hint of cloves and Cinnamon" is what the say, but I'll bet my bottom dollar they have a touch of nutmeg in the mix. My taste buds cannot be fooled this way.
The verdict.
Contrary to what I have heard I think this is easily one of the best spiced rums I have tried. It is far superior to Captain Morgan's Private Stock, and easier going than Sailor Jerry's. The spices really compliment the rum rather than dominate it. I could drink this with just a splash of coke but prefer the 75 - 25 coke to rum ratio. Frankly I am happy with the result. I tried a small sample about six months ago at Lacombe Spirits in St Albert which caused me to buy two bottles. Since then all I have heard is negativity regarding the rum and have been scared to open a. Its nice to know my initial impressions were bang on.
We'll see how the rum wears on me over the rest of the summer, but so far so good.