Sea Wynde...

[thrall]

As with most things...you dont really know something until you try it....and then of course its possible..its far to late..lol.

As a relative newbie to the world of fine rums.....i have to go on the descriptions that are given...and i don't know if its a girl thing or not...but also..packaging and price.....if its expensive it must be good...right???...lol

This is one that i picked up a few years ago...Sea Wynde...not cheap...about $45 as i remember......from all of your stand points...is this something i should "learn" to like. Is this a "good" rum...or rum ripple? I know full well there are wines that i once liked and i would not go near now...and there are wines if i had tasted way back then..i would not have appreciated or most likely not have enjoyed...

I have opinions about this rum...but would love to hear what all of you have to say about it too.....

Thank you all in advance for the imput....

t

[Mistahunter]

I have tried some different things with this rum...neat, on the rocks, mixed, and in a punch. There is a very metallic aftertaste that is tough to mask.

I must say that it is not my favorite...but it does warm you up when it's a little chilly.

The best thing about this rum is the bottle.

Although I haven't compared it personally, I hear that Pusser's is the better choice if you like this style of rum.

Buying this rum taught me a lesson....

[Ben]

One of the worst rums I tried. It's a black-hole taste. You try to mix it with anything and it still tastes the same.

[rumdog46]

Ben,
Are you imply about the Pusser's or the Sea Wynde being worst rums you tried? I ask cause I picked up a bottle about 6 mo ago of Pusser's Blue label. God was it the most awful tasting rum I have ever sampled. So bad was it that I poured the entire bottle down the drain as you couldn't hide it's awful taste even in a mix.

Out of all the rums I have sampled and either fell in love with or just not been thrilled with Pusser's was only bottle I have ever poured out, lol!

[thrall]

Well....i have say....this stuff is so bad i don't even want to cook with it! I wasnt sure if it was just me, and an inexperienced palate for rum...Of course i had to sample it again before i took the pic.....and it was still awful!

its more like peaty scotch....to me there is nothing rummy about it....

[Edoc]

Yeah, jamaican-style pot-still rums aren't my thing either. That means Appleton's, Pussers, Smith & Cross, Sea Wynde and a few others. In the right amount, some of these are truly excellent for mixed drinks and punch, though. I haven't tried Sea Wynde-- but I have Pusser's, S&C and Appleton, and I know that jamaica is almost my least favorite rum style, right before cachaca.

[Mistahunter]

Interesting...I would not have put Sea Wynde and Appleton's in the same category. Which Appleton's did you try?

[Ben]

Ben,
Are you imply about the Pusser's or the Sea Wynde being worst rums you tried? I ask cause I picked up a bottle about 6 mo ago of Pusser's Blue label. God was it the most awful tasting rum I have ever sampled.



Hi rumdog46,

I was referencing the Sea Wynde. I have tasted the Pusser's Blue as well, but it was a few years ago. It was bad, but not Sea Wynde bad. I guess I just don't like Navy rums.

[Edoc]

Mistahunter-- It's not fair of me to comment on Sea Wynde, since I haven't tried it. My comments were a response to your statement about Pusser's being akin to Sea Wynde. I use Appleton's Estate Extra 12 year for Mai Tai's and other mixed drinks. To my taste-buds, Appleton's 12 yr and Pusser's Navy Rum share a certain spectrum of flavors which I attribute to pot-distillation (although Appleton's is far more refined). With regard to Pusser's, I'm not really sure what to do with my bottle; it's a "dangerous" rum in that if you put a drop too much in your cocktail, it will overpower it in a fairly nasty way.

[stockdoct]

Sea Wynde is by far .. the worst rum I've ever sampled. Down the drain it went with me coughing and gagging, spitting in the sink hoping to get the taste out of my mouth. And do you know why I wanted to try it? I own shares in the company that MAKES it! What a disappointment.

But on the other side of the coin, you'll have to try their other drinks --- Goslings rum is unique and a dream, and Jefferson's bourbon is nationally ranked, and Pallini Limoncello is ........mmmmmmmm... simply wonderful; the best Limoncello I've ever tried (and I have quite a few under my belt). And I can't wait to try their new Tequila, when it becomes available in Illinois.

But I wish Castle would sell their stake in Sea Wynde; I can't imagine, from my reaction, a person ever buying a second bottle.

[Mistahunter]

Mistahunter-- It's not fair of me to comment on Sea Wynde, since I haven't tried it. My comments were a response to your statement about Pusser's being akin to Sea Wynde. I use Appleton's Estate Extra 12 year for Mai Tai's and other mixed drinks. To my taste-buds, Appleton's 12 yr and Pusser's Navy Rum share a certain spectrum of flavors which I attribute to pot-distillation (although Appleton's is far more refined). With regard to Pusser's, I'm not really sure what to do with my bottle; it's a "dangerous" rum in that if you put a drop too much in your cocktail, it will overpower it in a fairly nasty way.

Edoc - Good points...since I have never tried Pusser's, I can't compare them either. We both share a love for Appleton's 12.

[bunnyhugs]

I have only had a couple of chances to try Sea Wynde but I enjoyed it as an unusual sipper. Admittedly it's a little rough around the edges, but there's no shortage of flavor there. Not sure how it would go in cocktails but would like to experiment with it sometime. It struck me as a really interesting rum.

[angelsword]

I must go against the current in this discussion. Sea Wynde got a less than most favorable review from me a few years ago. But since then my palate has shifted considerably and I really liked it. The bottle has been finished and I plan to buy another.

To me it sounds like a number of those posting in this thread need to expand their areas of experience in rums. I would suggest that those that found Pusser's disagreeable try El Dorado 15. After that it is far easier to understand and ENJOY the muskier rums.

[Michael]

... I would suggest that those that found Pusser's disagreeable try El Dorado 15. After that it is far easier to understand and ENJOY the muskier rums.

When you use the term "muskier" angelsword, to what quality specifically in which components of which type of distillate are you referring? Is it a quality of the the pot still rums included in the examples, some interaction between the diverse distillates, or something else?

Have you found Sea Wynde to vary over time as some of our members have previously noted?

[Rum Runner]

I appreciate angelsword's candid comments on this rum, and the fact the our palates and tastes do change over time and with experience.

One thing I appreciate about this forum is that members can post their divergent views. This has allowed me to broaden my palate and outlook.

I'm not saying one has to love Sea Wynde. It does in my opinion offer a taste that is unique and hearkens back to a time of more robust flavored rums.

[Edoc]

Angelsword-- El Dorado 15 yr is one of my favorite rums. I've enjoyed ED15 for several years before I tried Pusser's Navy rum the first time. I also enjoy Barbancourt rums, which have a smoky, punky element to them. Pusser's, however, is in a class by itself in terms 'robustness'. I'm pretty open-minded about rum, and I'd like to try Sea Wynde so I can see what all the fuss is about. I have a feeling that I won't find it a good value for my preferences, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

[Mistahunter]

Similar to my earlier comments on Appleton 12, I am not really sure why/how El Dorado 15 is in the same conversation as Sea Wynde. Perhaps it is country of origin since Sea Wynde is from Jamaica/Guyana blends.

Again...I haven't tried Pusser's, so maybe I am missing the connection. Is Sea Wynde trying to be what ED15 is?

If that is the case, then it is worse than I initially thought it was.

party2.gifparty2.gif

[angelsword]

The Jamaican and Guyanan rums are now my favorites. But a number of years ago I found them far too stinky and went for the sweeter flavors. ED15 has the muskiness but also a lot of sweetness. Sea Wynde and Pussers are of the same category but without the sweetness. First I found the appreciation for ED15. Now I have a vast preference for the dryer.

Some men prefer a woman freshly bathed and perfumed. Others are more aroused when the natural musk is present. For me some of the Jamaican and Guyana rums are very close to the taste of a woman's sexuality... in a bottle. And there are some men who do not like rum at all.

Similar to my earlier comments on Appleton 12, I am not really sure why/how El Dorado 15 is in the same conversation as Sea Wynde. Perhaps it is country of origin since Sea Wynde is from Jamaica/Guyana blends.

Again...I haven't tried Pusser's, so maybe I am missing the connection. Is Sea Wynde trying to be what ED15 is?

If that is the case, then it is worse than I initially thought it was.

[Matusalem]

I must go against the current in this discussion. Sea Wynde got a less than most favorable review from me a few years ago. But since then my palate has shifted considerably and I really liked it. The bottle has been finished and I plan to buy another.Can I ask this - is it possible that the spirit changed during the period you had it that it went from blehhhh to tolerable?

I ask because I share the sentiment of others as far as my first experience with Sea Wynde being a bit of a pitcher of ice water to the face in terms of what I had geared up for on first taste. Second to that, it's roughness and your comments made me reflect upon 2 other spirits I had that I thought were similarly "rough" as a beard being shaved with the neck of a broken bottle... that I swear over long periods in the back of my cupboard went from" "Who in the hell do I sock in the mouth to obtain a refund, or compensation for my pain & suffering"... to not my favorites but something I could get down with, 1 of which I have actually re-purchased many times over.

Is it possible, Daniel that there was any smoothing or melding? I know my above thoughts kinda go against conventional wisdom - but just curious?

[Mistahunter]

For me some of the Jamaican and Guyana rums are very close to the taste of a woman's sexuality... in a bottle.

I like the metaphor....I just don't think that Sea Wynde would have passed the "sniff test"!

[angelsword]

I like the metaphor....I just don't think that Sea Wynde would have passed the "sniff test"!

LOL cheers.gif

[lesist]

I'm tasting the sea wynde right now.. and I can't understand all the "bashing". First I wasn't too impressed since its so strong and a bit harsh. But when I added some drops of water to it... WOW! I really liked it then, smoothed it and gave away way more aromas!!!
It's needed to say that I like Navy Rums like Pusser's. The Nose is similar but drinking it pure it's not complex but very strong.

After all not disappointing at all for me...

Edit: After leaving it some time in the glass I enjoyed it even without adding water... mmmmhhh

[SeldomSeen]

I was first introduced to the world of Rum outside the domain of Bacardi by a friend who had incessantly prodded me into trying a shot of Sea Wynde with him that he had recently obtained. Not being a spirits drinker, I resisted but finally relented. I am still puzzled about my experiences that followed with it, but I enjoyed it the first time I tried it. Perhaps it was something like "chasing the dragon", but I never got back to that initial pleasant experience with it. And I tried. And it was from the same bottle, not a different batch,... so I can't blame product inconsistency. Just my palate. But it led me on to greener Rum pastures,.... and others nearly as unfulfilling as Sea Wynde. But I guess tastes can change over time. Even over the course of one bottle. But if I was to bash Sea Wynde, it would be over price. My experiences thus far with most Rums is that price generally coincides with smoothness, complexity and depth of flavor. And in Sea Wynde, I could find none of these. I wouldn't fork out 50 cents for a bottle, much less $50. But each to his own.

[gmarket]

i have yet to try sea wynde, but judging by what you've said on here, i may have to give it a miss. the worst rum i have ever tasted is the new sailor jerry's (here in the UK) anyway. both myself and my other half were physically ill after drinking that. likewise, it got poured down the sink.

[Tabuzak]

Obviously from the range of posts here, Sea Wynde is not for everyone.

I have to weigh in on the positive side. In the end it's all about "to each his own," but I would argue with anyone that says there is no complexity or development in the taste experience. I find it a ride of flavors associated with the demerara and jamaican rums it's blended from.

Some are tough, granted, but that's part of the fun for me.

:):):):)

[demerara rum jumbie]

Obviously from the range of posts here, Sea Wynde is not for everyone.

I have to weigh in on the positive side. In the end it's all about "to each his own," but I would argue with anyone that says there is no complexity or development in the taste experience. I find it a ride of flavors associated with the demerara and jamaican rums it's blended from.

Some are tough, granted, but that's part of the fun for me.

:):):):)

I agree. Smith and cross is similar. This rum works very well with high quality coconut water as a mixer.

The nose on sea wynde reminds me of the demerara distillers plant at Diamond on the east bank of the demerara river. Delightfully stinky.