The Fat Rum Pirate

"Damoiseau Rhum Vieux Millesime 1995 is one of those rums/rhums where I just think "Wow!" I've found something which I consider to be as good as anything I have had before. Be it molasses or cane juice …"

"This is becoming a really golden age for Foursquare. To see where they have come from being greatly respected to greatly admired in just a few short years is incredible. But the groundwork was put in …"

"Maybe picking your favourite Foursquare rum is a bit like picking your favourite child? All I will say is spend as much time with all of them as you possibly can. This is stellar stuff. PS Photos will …"

"This rum is indeed exceptional. This 2004 offering has every aspect of classic Bajan rum making. The balance and the flavours are fantastic. The Exceptional Casks series offer the best examples of …"

"It's warm and comforting and extremely enjoyable. All in all its an excellent blend and very well balanced and put together. I could probably write another review in a week or so's time and use a …"

"Finish wise this is incredible. The flavours just keep going and going. This is phenomenal rum. Truly amazing. You will not need to reach for another glass for sometime - as the flavour remains on the …"

"But am I being too critical? I am, this is still one of the best 20 rums I have ever tasted. Easily. Is it the best Foursquare rum I have ever had? The jury is out on that one at the moment but its …"

"It is certainly giving me food for thought about an increased ABV Pusser's 15 Year Old. It's every bit as good as I hoped it would be and if you like Pussers or Navy style rum in general you will …"

"The only slight criticism would be the screw cap. I can counter that argument with the following - this isn't a rum that will be sticking around long in your collection unless you buy multiple …"

"I've not had a great deal of ECS recently. I think the break has done my palate the world of good to be honest. This is (from memory) one of my most favourite ECS releases thus far. I really like …"

"They both like this a lot as well but maybe not as much as me! So the question is did Sukhinder and Co at The Whisky Exchange get a good Private Cask Selection? Put it this way I'll be getting a few …"

"Deduct half a point if you prefer the drier R L Seale's but to be honest just buy anything they put out. It's all excellent! I will shortly be reviewing Doorly's 12, The Real McCoy 12 Year Old AND …"

"From what I understand John was one of the first people (before Luca Gargano, I have read) to get his hands on stocks of Caroni. He certainly got a winner with this 1997 vintage. If you like your …"

"This is very good stuff and a real experience in a glass. There is so much going on. As far as experiments go - this one certainly was a success. If you can track this rum down or know someone who has …"

"Which is nice for during the week when you have work the next day. Another classic from Pusser's. Very much looking forward to their limited edition releases later in the year. Splice the mainbrace!"

"It will be too pricy for many. Should you get the chance to try this though I would thoroughly recommend you make sure you take that chance. It's pretty sublime though - bordering on being perfect and …"

"Name some better rums than this, ones that I also haven't rated very highly. This stuff is world class and a true representation of what a premium rum should and more importantly CAN be. When rum is …"

"This doesn’t have the slightly bitter note of the 17 year old on the finish and is ever so slightly better balanced overall than the 9 year. To be fair you should buy all three of those bottlings if …"

"This is rum for the more serious enthusiast. It's not for everyone, miles away from Appleton 21 or Joy. Hugely funky, medicinal yet fresh and fruity. I really hope Florent has a lot more casks of this …"

"This doesn’t have the slightly bitter note of the 17 year old on the finish and is ever so slightly better balanced overall than the 9 year. To be fair you should buy all three of those bottlings if …"

"Now I haven't tried the LROK on its own (please feel free to forward a sample anyone) but this has certainly moved the already excellent HLCF up a notch for me. Buy all you you can find!"

"To be honest St Lucia Distillers simply do not get enough credit for what they do. They don't get talked enough about in Rum Enthusiast circles or on the various Facebook groups. As a result you'll …"

"I didn't approach Alex about using his review in this way until after it was published. Read his review here . Cheers Alex for this review. If you are interested in picking up a bottle then you will …"

"Tasting them together to see what the difference is. I'm pleased firstly that there is a noticeable difference as that might debunk some of the conjecture that they are the same rum just re-bottled. A …"

"There are no off putting notes. I like it all, a lot. This is easily one of the best Jamaican rums and one of the best rums overall I have ever tasted. If you can find one of the remaining 269 bottles …"

"A very unique tasting rum and very different to what we get nowadays. 32 years of ageing but not a year wasted. Sensational. If you are given the chance to try this then I would urge you do so. Rum …"

"It may be, that some of the notes I have written might give people and impression of overbearing sweetness. This is a similar profile to the likes of Foursquares Exceptional Cask Series. Sweet but not …"

"I do hope it can get a more worldwide release, it is simply too good not to be afforded that. Exceptional stuff. Good old Jamaican funk mixed with subtle almost Bajan style balance. A real winner for …"

"I think this rum is pretty spectacular and until I find something better I'm pretty happy to give this 5 stars. I suspect you could spend a lot, lot more and not find a better Demerara. Yes I know …"

"This will make them think again. I really hope John Barrett takes the time to read this review. This is being judged as a Spiced Rum and it ticks all the boxes for me. This is the best Spiced rum I …"

"As if the quality of the spirit and the superlative packaging weren't enough the rum also has a sense of humour. The facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RumSixtySix?fref=ts is really quite …"

"Once again this is a top tier example of traditional Pot/Column blended rum. There's not really much else to say. If you can find a bottle anywhere near original retail price then buy one."

"Instead for comparison focus on my reviews of past Velier bottlings and other Independently bottled Demerara. A comparison with those old Velier Demerara bottlings may seem a little like hyperbole. So …"

"He was working out what he wanted to buy. For some reason he valued my opinion. Amongst them was this SPFD (South Pacific Fiji Distillery) 2004 sample. Upon trying it, I told Eric if he didn't buy it …"

"I may have underestimated agricle in the past but this is easily one of the best value expressions on the market. Outstanding. This rhum deserves all the plaudits that come its way. The only fault I …"

"In reality it's likely going to be heading to people with pretty deep pockets. My only hope is that "most" of these bottles are drank and appreciated by genuine rum enthusiasts and/or shared with …"

"The rum is sippable even at full strength. I would advise only a very little water. It really doesn't need much at all to open up the full complexity. I did honestly think blending such rums was a bit …"

"When all is said and done this is another beautifully balanced rum - there is enough variety in all the Foursquare releases to recommend purchasing at least one bottle of everything they put out. The …"

"It might well go great with a bit Ting - jammin!"

"Maybe a few years ago it was but now, no not for me. As a nostalgia trip I'm going to mix the rum with ice and cola and maybe a squeeze of lime. (The 2015 me is regretting this as I'm already half way …"

"A real winner from Plantation and definitely one which deserves all the fuss. The score may change in time the simple answer to not scoring this higher is that I haven't tried enough rums like this so …"

"Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend is a completel y solid rum, one which does sometimes fly under people's radars. It is easily as good as R L Seale's 10 Year and Doorly's XO and to be fair thats not bad …"

"At 60% ABV it should satisfy anyone's desire for "Cask Strength" rum. Also at £80 it is priced competitively alongside the Indie bottlings. I would certainly recommend picking up a bottle of this, …"

"As usual it is expertly blended and it shows yet again that rum can be produced, which is "smooth" and doesn't exhibit any notably strong alcohol notes, without loading it with sugar and other …"

"I prefer it over last years release. Last years release was a heavy on the Caroni as this is the Worthy Park. I feel this is a much better balanced rum. It suits my palate more as it is sweeter. Note …"

"It might even confuse those more familiar with Demerara or Navy Style rums. It's not pungent or high ester like the Jamaican rums, it offers a rum experience more akin to the Cuban style. Subtle, well …"

"Whilst it may not be to everyone's current tastes I wouldn't knock this rum without having first tried it. As Bacardi have recently taken over distribution of this except to see a lot more of it. If …"

"I might just like this slight better - I might feel differently tomorrow though! They are both excellent. Whilst Velier are no longer "officially" involved in these rums, I know Luca Gargano does have …"

"I'm pleased to see Worthy Park getting out there with their own "brand" on the shelves. I could (and might well in the future) give this rum a 5 star rating but for now I'll keep the bar high and see …"

"I confess I mixed a very small amount with an equally small amount of cola. It was as expected very pleasant but I did feel I was missing out on that wonderful sipping experience! Havana Club …"

"As the stocks of Caroni the prices are going to increase. Tropically Aged Caroni such as this is going to get more expensive. If you can get samples from people to try then do so - Caroni is not very …"

"I like this rum a lot - it's a really top example of a Tropically aged Demerara. The Skeldon 1973 had perhaps the slight nod over it but this easily stands amongst the Velier Demerara bottlings I have …"

"This offers a half way house - it appeals to my sweet tooth whilst retaining plenty genuine rum character. At a higher ABV say 46% this rum might well be even better. However Flor de Cana have a …"

"However, in my scoring I found personally found a little extra something in the Captain Bligh XO (not even a Bajan but very similar in style). Still MGXO come's very highly recommended. It is a …"

"It has more complexity and subtlety. It bridges a nice gap between fairly standard 40% ABV white rum and the brain exploding 55% and above Overproof rums. White rum Jim, but not as we know it. And all …"

"They really are as good as and in many cases, so much better than a lot of the more popular, more established brands. This is another rum that can easily compete alongside the competition and even cut …"

"If you want funk from Appelton Estate than Wray and Nephew White Overproof is what you want. If you want an afforadable and very nice every day sipper and a premium mixer - get this in your shopping …"

"I would fully understand someone who truly hated this rum. But I don't. It hasn't knocked my Duncan Taylor Long Pond 2000 of its perch but it's not that far behind. I would certainly enjoy this …"

"I also think it is quite similar to Captain Bligh XO (St Vincent and The Grenadines) it has that extra spicy dimension. For the price of some "so called" premium rums you could have a bottle of MGXO …"

"Rich, fruity and very flavourful a really great rum. Once you get past the initial nose and sip, the vinegar notes do meld together with the other flavours to give a funky but balanced Jamaican rum. …"

"This is amazing value for money as an everyday sipper and a fantastic introduction to Saint Lucia Distillers output. I think Laurie Barnard would have absolutely loved this rum. I dare say you might …"

"In many ways with the ECS Foursquare are acting more like an Independent bottler in that they are releasing Limited Edition rums, on a regular basis. Back this up with a growing portfolio of …"

"However, it is down to the blenders art how easily it goes down. The rum has quite a bit of complexity but it is so well balanced and blended that it doesn't challenge you as some rums can. It kind of …"

"The rhum has a really nice balance to it. May be at times it's slightly too dry, to be perfect but I am nit-picking a little. It is certainly one of the best aged rhum agricoles I have tried to date. …"

"My review of the 12 year old is one of the most viewed on the site and consistently gets views every day. I sincerely hope that a few of you read this review and decide to buy this rum while you still …"

"There are no other rum producers currently capable of putting out this much quality rum. Whilst the differences in each release may not seem all the great - the finished rums are certainly worth what …"

"The finish is a reasonable length but is quite dry and doesn't linger for as long as you might expect from such a heavy style of rum. What you are tasting here is a snapshot in time. Something that …"

"However it is different. It's different enough to consider a purchase. It may initially not seem that much better than the 15 year old for the money. Then again it just re-inforces what fantastic …"

"The alcohol burn is there but overall this is a rather mellow sipping experience. Aside from the short finish I really enjoy Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa. It may be a little "simple" for some palates …"

"A better fit however due to the slightlier spicier profile might be Sunset Rum from Saint Vincent. In particular their Captain Bligh XO . Which I really enjoyed a few years back This was a great rum …"

"The fruitiness combines with the cola beautifully and the oakiness also adds something to the drink. So far I have yet to be disappointed with any of the offerings from St Lucia Distillers. These rums …"

"As with the Doorly's XO (which is brilliant as a mixer as well) and Rum Sixty Six this represents Bajan rum production at its very best. Crisp, clean, slightly dry, well aged and blended. Classic rum …"

"I am probably being far more critical than maybe I should be.......this is still a very good rum! If you can get a bottle, buy a bottle. At this point in time I would say that about any ECS release. …"

"It works very well and it really showcases itself. I've thoroughly enjoyed this with Lemonade and some ice. It has enough character to still cut through any mixer and give a nice "rhummy" hit. I …"

"When blended and bottled we have three very distinct expressions. A review of Patrimonio will follow soon. For more opinions on Empery (and 2007) have a look at Rum Revelations . My advice on which …"

"It may suit someone who enjoys Goslings Black Seal as well due the sweetness in its profile. In short this is a classic Demerara rum. It isn't a replacement for your 12 or 15 year old but it is …"

"This is definitely one of the more complex and challenging Foursquare rums. It is certainly not as easy going and accessible as Premise or Port Cask . It has an extra layer of smoke, tobacco and wood …"

"In terms of flavour this is my favourite Clairin thus far and aside from the finish it's really quite excellent when you consider the rustic nature of how it is produced. Well worth seeking out."

"When I tried Criterion I instantly fell in love with it. With Triptych there was a slight adjustment. I think the Virgin oak part of the blend have taken a little time for me to adjust to. Still I'm …"

"In time it is a rum which grows on you. Initially it doesn't seem all that exciting. I thought for my first couple of glasses it was just over oaked. But it grows on you. Sneaks up on you and you soon …"

"They don't produce a rum like Hampden for example. No that Hampden don't produce great rum - far from it. This is a lovely rum. It's typical in some ways of Appleton Estate's older vintages but at the …"

"Initially there is a lot of sweet orange citrus and more bitter zest when sipped, moving onto charred oak notes, spicy black pepper and those smoky tobacco notes. The finish is actually quite spicy …"

"Although it is slightly better than the Cadenhead's bottling I don't think the rum deserves a 5 star rating. The simple reason being this was one of the first rums Worthy Park distilled and I fancy …"

"Also some banging Long Pond Jamaicans from Duncan Taylor. This is probably best served up in a blend (with other marques). Rather than an individual marque. I’m being pretty finickity – its really …"

"With Flor De Cana 7 you feel you are drinking a "stiff drink" but also one that is refined, well aged and nicely blended. I really like this as a mixer and would definitely recommend it for a more …"

"This rum still stands up alongside the other Foursquare releases. If you haven't tried a more "classic" style Foursquare such as Doorly's 5 or 8, Rum Sixty Six or this you may wish to put one on your …"

"This is a really great mixing rum and evidence yet again that in the £25-30 price range there are a number of fine rums which are as good as any of the Premium and Super Premium rums with price tags …"

"Drinking this rum is a little bit of rum history. Even the bottle makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. I'm slightly torn between the score with this one. I'll stick my neck out though. …"

"The rum faces stiff competition. Just about all Jamaican rum, as long as it isn't being messed around with by foreigners is in the good to excellent bracket. This more than holds it own and gets a …"

"It's a better rum for mel but if you are a huge fan of the old style Black Barrel, you might want to stock up while it's still available. This is a lot different. There is no change in score as I …"

"Just for a change. They also have some Sherry and Oloroso finished rums as well. Lance over at The Lone Caner reviewed a Sherry Finish way back in 2017 . On this evidence I need to up my English …"

"Just in case I was perhaps missing something obvious with this rhum. I don't think I have as it is a bit of a curious rhum, even for someone more experienced with Agricole Rhum. Certainly a rhum for …"

"This is a really nice, well balanced white rum. It's not a high ABV grassy Agricole or a unaged Clairin. It's not a funky Jamaican Overproof. It's a lighter "ron" style of white rum with more flavour …"

"Alongside a hard hitting whack of floor polish, petrol and varnish. It's pretty fantastic. Ti Punch it works excellently as well giving a really sharp yet sweet hit to the drink. A Daiquiri is a bit …"

"Aside from my immature (palate wise) comments regarding the Royal Ambre Rhum - a review which I urgently need to re-visit. As soon as I can get another bottle. Sadly supplies of that rhum are hard to …"

"It gives the drink that classic Bajan taste that anyone who has experience of rum from Barbados will instantly recognise. This is a serious contender for best rum in the £20 price bracket. It really …"