J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum

Rating: 13/23 I have no clue if I should anticipate this to be good or not. It doesn't possess enough proof to contend with Everclear, but it's close to the serious barrel proof bourbon range. It should be an enjoyable tasting. Nose: Wow! There's a lot of that rhum agricole vegetal funk in here! I detect squash for sure, but it's far from overwhelming. There are some pleasant hints of tropical fruits (I'm not sure which ones, but they appear and disappear) and just a trace of soy sauce. Some bits of spice are present too, but they tend to combine with the evident burn. Water brings out more fruit (green banana) and musty funk. Palate: Quite hot with a surprisingly savory start. Wow, that burn really persists. It borders on harshness, but I don't think that's quite it. It's quite vegetal and savory, but not in a spoiled way. It's more like some earth, fresh broccoli, and soy sauce. I'm detecting less of the rhum agricole funk than anticipated and more of that Jamaican character. I notice lemon and banana appearing at times and I might be getting some other tropical fruits like papaya and lime as well. This doesn't have the full complexity I would desire, but it has more going on than most overproof rums. There is some sweetness here and it gradually grows on me. It isn't a sweetness like someone just added sugar. The flavors here are pretty edgy, but I do appreciate their balance and there's enough nuance that I could drink this straight. Water brings out more distinct spice flavors with some earthiness alongside them. The fruit sweetness is more prominent (with more of a green banana flavor), but that's largely because the vegetal and soy flavors recede. Finish: The sweetness is reduced. It's on the drier side as the vegetal and savory flavors are more apparent. I detect more squash here now, but it isn't jarring or anything like that. There are some somewhat woody spices adding to the complexity and maintaining the heat level somewhat. - Conclusion - This is actually a pretty acceptable sipper. It seems like it should be a good mixer too. I could see this being a 13 neat and I'm considering a 14 as well. I think I almost settled on a 13 because the edges are just a bit too unrefined, but I think it reaches the 14 level. Actually, I retract that. It's just a bit too jagged and lacking in complexity. I would seriously consider this as my go-to white rum. I'm a big fan of overproof spirits for mixing anyway (just use less and you get a drink with the same alcohol but less water) and this also has a pretty good flavor. As a mixer, my impression is that this produces a much funkier drink than Plantation 3 Stars does, but boy do I prefer that funk. Between the two, this would be the one I would likely choose for a fruity drink on most occasions. For company though, it would be good to have something more approachable available. Thanks for the sample, a fellow reviewer!

Nose - extremely ripe banana, mango, earthy mint, freshly cut grass, instant mashed potato flakes, pineapple, cherry, coriander, noticeable to strong alcohol burn. Taste - medicinal cherry, very ripe banana, charred sugar, tart pineapple, black pepper, astringent herbal notes, lemon zest, ginger, grass, menthol, clove, anise, yeast, noticeable to strong alcohol sting, finishing medium length with medicinal cherry, tart fruit, astringent herbal flavors. These tasting notes are quite unusual. I had more difficulty with this than with most spirits I evaluate. It has a truly fascinating profile. If you can get past the alcohol vapors, there's the characteristic funky, overripe banana, an indistinct tropical fruit quality like mango, some intensely vegetal and herbal grassy notes, and strangely, an aroma that reminds me of putting my nose into a bowl of instant mashed potatoes. The palate arrives hot and vibrant, with some mentholated, medicinal cherry, more vegetal and herbal flavors, and a spoiled, tart, yeasty note that I assume is part of that elusive hogo characteristic. I expect ratings for this will vary greatly. While I appreciate its distinctiveness, I don't anticipate sipping this straight from a nosing glass again soon. And that's perfectly alright with me. It's not intended as a sipper; it's a $25 mixing rum. And you should definitely find some Ting and make some classic Wray and Ting cocktails. They're very refreshing in the summer, but be careful as they go down a bit easier than their 126 proof strength should allow.

A staple rum for tiki and tropical cocktails, this marks my very first purchase of my own bottle. The aroma is intensely reminiscent of unripe bananas and damp foliage. There's a slight bite from the alcohol, which is anticipated at its strength. The scent is surprisingly intricate, far more so than I'd typically expect from a white rum. Green bananas! Nose: 17/20 The initial taste is a sweet, spicy rush, like rocket fuel. It's sweet, with abundant unripe fruit notes and immediate sugary sweetness. This is followed by layers of spice and phenolic characteristics I'd usually associate with a peated Scotch whisky. First Sip: 27/30 Subsequent sips allow me to overcome the high alcohol content and appreciate the flavors: green bananas, allspice, cane syrup, white pepper, grapefruit zest, offering significant depth and complexity. This rum is mouthwatering; the high proof stimulates salivation, and the finish is astringent, inviting another taste. Additional Sips and Finish: 22/25 The bottle itself is, well, it's a bottle. It features a plastic screw cap and a pour spout insert, similar to another liqueur. The label design feels appropriate for its price point, but considering the cost, this rum offers tremendous value. Packaging and Value: 16/20 I reserve 5 points for personal preference, and in this category, I award 3/5. While not the absolute pinnacle of rums, it is an excellent spirit that has earned its place in my collection. Total Score: 85/100

Remarkable - intensely funky. It's somewhat like burnt sugar on crème brûlée, but more profound. Incredibly sweet, yet simultaneously possesses an almost bitter almond extract, maple, fried plantain, and anchovy character. It hits with heat and a faint hint of kerosene or perhaps rubber tires, but the funky, sweet, fried plantain, and bitter almond notes persist. The finish is a blend of funky fuel, raw sugar cane, and molasses that lingers for a minute or more. Consequently, I do not find enjoyment in sipping this. It borders on vegetal. It's difficult to assess its performance in mixed drinks (its intended use), and I question whether I should have opted for the reliably sweet, straightforward Bacardi or any other standard white rum. In a watermelon cucumber mojito, the funk still dominates. It's certainly intriguing, but I prefer the taste of burnt corn and barley over burnt sugar cane, especially unaged burnt sugar cane.

This is likely among the most hazardous spirits available. Handle it as if it were a firearm. Its 63% ABV feels inaccurate. A single mixed drink can rapidly lead to a night of lost memory. Visually clear, it offers a potent aroma of ripe plantain, decaying animal matter, vegetation, grass, cocoa, kirschwasser, and sweet confectionary sugar. Incredibly smooth and thick, it tastes of flambéed banana without any tartness or seasoning. The alcohol vanishes swiftly from the palate, leaving behind a sensation of warm spices (though none seemed to genuinely appear) and banana nut bread. This is truly exceptional for its cost. However, if I had found it in college, I would almost certainly be deceased.

Wonderful and strong phenolic, herbal, and vegetal scents. Funky and divine grassy notes with hints of whipped butter and floral funkiness. On the palate, it's fresh, minty, vegetal with mild sweetness and a funky plastic or resinous rubber quality. Not amazing as anticipated but acceptable until this intense spirit hits your throat. A very powerful flavor impact and a fantastic specialty rum to have on hand. It pairs well with cachaça due to many shared characteristics. I like to swap in about half an ounce when making caipirinhas or daiquiris. It also nicely balances sweetness and adds complexity to an Açaí caipirinha. A good value, typically found on sale for approximately $19-$22.