A Rum Night in Linlithgow
The Whisky Boys were invited over to James Farrelly’s home for a wee tasting of some of his favourite Rum’s. So Jim and his wife Jacqueline and in the other car was Nicola, Scott and Jim’s two granddaughters, Loren and Carla headed over to Linlithgow which is just a short drive from Cumbernauld and Longcroft.
After all the introductions were over and the first beers were poured Jim, Nicola and James sat down at the tasting table where all the Rums and the oatcakes etc were all laid out awaiting our attention. Lets get down to tasting some Rums.
First up tonight was:-
Havana Club-Anejo Bianco, Cuba 40% Alc/vol 70cl
Colour…Clear
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Vanilla, perfumed afternoon tea.
Taste…Sweet, cinnamon sticks with a wee touch of peach melba.
Finish…Short.
Score…3 Corks
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Light aroma’s with a scent of lavender.
Taste…Sweet and easy drinking, a little fruit but an ideal mixer.
Finish…Short. and not showing any lingering tastes.
Score…2 Corks
James’s Tasting
Nose…Light fruit with some sweet notes.
Taste…Sweet, light and a slight oiliness and floral.
Finish…Short.
Score…3 Corks
Number two of tonight is:-
Appleton Estate V/X – Jamaica, 40% Alc/vol 70cl
Colour…Light gold
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Emulsion and solvent, sweet and sugary.
Taste…Oily but with a lingering fustiness, damp celery.
Finish…Medium.
Score…1.5 Corks
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Fusty and chemical.
Taste…Just a little hint of sweetness, warming, but still a little chemical notes.
Finish…Short to medium.
Score…2 Corks
James’s Tasting
Nose…Fresh, solvent, industrial smell.
Taste…Smooth, slight oil, slight after burn and a wee bit of spice.
Finish…Short to medium.
Score…2 Corks
Now for number three:-
Brugal Extra Viejo – Dominican Republic 37.5 Alc/vol 70cl
Colour…Sherried Whisky
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Sugar, sweet syrup should be poured over a pudding.
Taste…Peppery hot but chocolate coffee and after dinner delight.
Finish…Short.
Score…3 Corks
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Sweet, sponge cake covered in golden syrup.
Taste…Coffee and sweet stewed fruits, warming and is a perfect after dinner dram.
Finish…Short.
Score…2.5 Corks
James’s Tasting
Nose..Soft and sweet, a little coffee, cherries.
Taste…Very smooth, soft fruit, a sipping drink with ice.
Finish…Short.
Score…2.5 Corks
Now for the penultimate rum of the evening:-
Ron Pampero Aniversario – Venezuela, 40% Alc/vol
Colour…Brown liquorice
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Vanilla syrup, aroma’s from a sweetie shop.
Taste…Turkish delight, rich and smooth, oddfellow sweets.
Finish…Short.
Score…4 Corks
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Sweet cocktail of syrup and exotic fruits.
Taste…Mellow and smooth, a little pepper spice, molasses, treat this one as a liqueur.
Finish…Short.
Score…3 Corks
James’s Tasting
Nose…Christmas fruit, sweet vanilla notes.
Taste…Soft and smooth, rich with an oily feel, a little spice.
Finish…Short
Score…3.5 Corks
Now we have reached our fifth and final rum of the evening and it is:-
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum – USA, 40% Alc/vol
Colour…Black treacle toffee
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Marzipan and cherry notes with sweet chocolate.
Taste…Viennese biscuits coated in sweet cherry and chocolate.
Finish…Short.
Score…4.5 Corks
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Almonds an glace cherries, ultra sweet.
Taste…Sherry dipped cherries, very smooth, milk chocolate drops.
Finish…Short.
Score…3.5 Corks
James’s Tasting
Nose…Sweet, sweet, sweet marzipan with some slight honey.
Taste…Very smooth, chocolate and spice, very enjoyable.
Finish…Short.
Score…3.5 Corks
The Whisky Boys firstly have to thank James and his wife Eileen for this great tasting evening together with the hospitality offered to us all, so a BIG THANKS to James & Eileen. From the tastings you can see that the finish in these drams were all short and all were very sweet.
At the end of the night James brought out some real ales and some grand Whiskies which included a Tobermory, a Glenlivet Nadurra, Dalmore Gran Reserva and the fabulous Aberlour A’bunadh, we all found that our favourite tipple being a Single Malt Scotch Whisky was so much more complex and enjoyable than some of these rums we tasted tonight. We must admit that one or two of these rums can be a fine after dinner tipple and the others would always be ideal with a mixer.
Thanks again James and Eileen, the Whisky Boys hope to see you both again soon. In the meantime our readers can purchase these rums and whiskies online by using the shop window below. Remember and tell them the Whisky Boys sent you!!
