Chairman's Reserve - the CEO of St. Lucia rum

[Joe Riley]

I've searched, and I'm surprised that I can't find a thread about this rum.

Chairman's Reserve

From the website:

This rum is a blend of double distilled pot still and continuous still rums. The pot still richness comes through on the nose along with juicy fruits and a hint of honey. The palate is medium bodied with a soft feel, a hint of vanilla and spices. In St Lucia Chairman’s Reserve is best enjoyed with coconut water but can be drunk neat or with a chaser of your choice.

I have it in 1.0-liter size only. Can't wait to try it.

[Edward Hamilton]

I'm a bit surprised you didn't find a thread on this rum either Joe, but I'm confident you used the search function.

Thanks for the notes. While I tend to discount much of what I read on producer's websites this is credible information. I find the finish to be slightly dry as opposed to sweet making this something I can sip and enjoy night after night. I've added a few more comments to the database for Chairman's Reserve.

[malice]

I will be in St Lucia in 2 months and plan on bringing a couple bottles of that back. A friend of mine who lives there on and off recommended getting some and had this to say about it - "You can have it on the rocks in a lowball glass or make a Ti Punch (creole for small punch). In a lowball, muddle sugar in the raw, lime and Chairman's and then add ice." I am very excited to try it both ways.

[RonJames]

I've got to see about ordering some of that. Along with the admiral rodney of course.

[eas]

This rum is increasingly available in many markets and is at a fabulous price. Literally almost half the price of Mount Gay XO and a similar profile. Great rum - keep it coming Team Imports.

[Sparticus]

I have this on my wish list for 2010.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by eas

This rum is increasingly available in many markets and is at a fabulous price. Literally almost half the price of Mount Gay XO and a similar profile. Great rum - keep it coming Team Imports.

We'll have to try the Chairman's Reserve again in the light of the praise it seems to be getting around these parts, but in our initial tasting last night, in a flight with Mount Gay XO and English Harbour 5 Year Old, the Chairman's Reserve suffered in comparison to the other two. Given the taste profile, I'd call it an excellent mixer (as yet untried), but not one I enjoy as a sipper.

The Mount Gay, at twice the price, is, IMO, much richer and more complex, with an extended finish absent in the Chairman's. The English Harbour, while simpler than the Mount Gay, has an underlying sweetness and a taste profile more pleasing to my palate than the Chairman's.

The surprising conclusion was that these three rums seem properly placed in terms of value for cost. The Chairman's Reserve ($21.99 - $24.99 per liter, or about $16.50 - $17.50 per 750 ml) is about where a nice mixer should be. The English Harbour 5 Year Old ($24.99 or so per 750 ml) and Mount Gay XO ($35.99 and higher per 750 ml) are priced appropriately for an easy sipper and a more complex quaff encouraging contemplation, respectively.

[TheRumelier]

Michael,
you are spot on, those would mirror my thoughts exactly. While I love the 3 of them they all have varying levels of depth.

[RonJames]

From my limited tasting of chairmans, it runs in the same market as Bacardi 8.
Can be neat, can be with ice, good as high quality mixed drink that has a strong percentage of rum. It did well with a dash of ginger beer and i would love to try it with some coconut water.

[malice]

Chairman's is coming to Florida according to their Twitter and Facebook feed!

Twitter: It's Official @chairmanreserve launches in Florida in April! about 1 hours ago via TweetDeck

Facebook: Chairman's Reserve Rum Spread the News Chairman's Reserve Rum is Launching in Florida in April!

I did end up getting some while I was in St Lucia last month -- 2 1liters of Chairman's, 2 bottles of the Admiral Rodney, a bottle of the Kweyol, and a sampler/gift pack. Looking forward to it making a splash here in the US!