Kōloa Kaua'i Gold Rum

Gold Rum Comparison - Quatro, mostly Spanish style Havana Club Anejo (USA) Don Q Gold Bacardi Gold Koloa Kauai Gold Koloa Kauai Note: This sample was obtained from a bottle purchased at the distillery store and was not opened immediately upon my return home. Appearance: Light gold, reminiscent of oaked Chardonnay Nose: Initially savory, almost bready, like a freshly baked homemade loaf, then strangely sweet, like cleaning supplies, and an odd, almost cucumber-like vegetal note. Palate/Finish: Light flavor, some burn, some lingering wood; not fruity, somewhat earthy, barely sweet; a faint but rounded flavor of a nutty dessert. Follow-up: Smells like hay, tastes like buttered pancakes with a hint of dried maple syrup upon returning. — This likely doesn't fit well in the category, but what else can I compare it with? Conclusion: The unique process is evident in the product, with unusual notes present on both the nose and palate. I'm curious to try it in a small daiquiri, but it reminds me more of a cane juice spirit than molasses due to the unusual and unexpected characteristics. Havana Club Note: The bottle has been open for a while, still about 2/3 full Appearance: Medium gold hue, like German lager Nose: Quite strong ethanol, hints of caramel and… crème brûlée? Palate/Finish: A hollow impression of caramel and vanilla, like from a dried-out old rum cork, but somewhat light; a slight earthy bitterness like young oak; subtle sweetness but still not really fruity, ethanol is restrained, bitterness increases on the palate. Follow-up: Smells like sophisticated caramel candy, tastes like a toffee bar after returning. Conclusion: Possibly doesn't belong in this category, but it surprisingly offers more developed "usual suspect" type flavors and stood out in color until the last sip. It might be more noticeable in a mixed drink than others. Don Q Note - nearly finished the bottle, and it's been mostly empty for quite a while, months probably Appearance: Pale straw, like a dry white wine Nose: Light ethanol, toffee, and some fruit, perhaps papaya? Palate/Finish: Light but inoffensive, barely any burn, caramel; burnt sugar, some burn, some wood tannin; tastes like brown bread, subtle vanilla, not much fruit. Follow-up: Smells like a fruit bowl, tastes like agave nectar after returning. Conclusion: Offers lovely fruitiness compared to the others, almost surprisingly so. Likely a more harmonious mixer, and pleasant enough to sip on its own. Inviting nose and a rewarding palate. Bacardi Note: Freshly opened small 200ml bottle, but who knows how long it sat on the shelf at the liquor store... Appearance: Medium light gold, like domestic beer Nose: Cleaning products at first, but then ethanol, steeped black tea? Finally, some sweetness, like vanilla latte syrup. Palate/Finish: Smooth entry with some light vanilla caramel; subtly sweet with an almost bitter woody pine flavor lingering; vaguely sweet, somewhat alcoholic, light bitterness. Follow-up: Smells like sawdust, tastes like the dregs of a watered-down vanilla iced latte after returning. Conclusion: Bad nose with a smooth taste, oddly enough, although a less appealing flavor palate than others in this category. I can see why this might be a friendly choice for mixing if one desires a less filtered experience than the ubiquitous Bacardi Superior White.

Continuing Koloa Tasting with distiller Bob Gunter (Tasted second) According to the Distiller: Made from sugarcane juice and distilled in 2 copper hybrid stills. Aged for 90 days in former bourbon barrels. Tasted on: 3.23.22 Served: Undiluted, In a flute glass Bottle Opened: Same Day Previous drink: White Rum Appearance: Very little character. Although we are tasting through 8 rums, I don't have as much time as I would like to focus on it. Flavor: Some caramel character from the barrel. Very thin body. Entirely inoffensive, but also uninteresting. Score: 2.5/5 Would use in cocktails that don't rely on rum character, but would not purchase it.

The aroma is citrusy and slightly chemical, reminiscent of a lemon-scented cleaning wipe. The flavor is a mild match to the scent. Similar to their white rum, I don't detect typical "rum" characteristics. It's a little peppery, mainly on the finish, but not sweet cinnamon as one might expect. It's not suitable for sipping, and I strongly doubt it would perform well in rum cocktails due to the absence of rum taste. I did not finish the sample; it wasn't worth the letdown. Rating is for sipping neat.

A rather unremarkable spirit. It has a very light body, though the nose is astringent. Caramel notes are present with a very subtle chemical taste; it genuinely resembles watered-down Captain Morgan. Like others have noted, I would not purchase it but would use it in cocktails where the rum's character is not the primary focus.

Initially, it's surprisingly buttery, followed by sugarcane sweetness. The finish has a mild spiciness. It blends exceptionally well with juice, particularly POG for an authentic Hawaiian experience.

A good rum for mixing. It's sweet with a typical rum profile, offering some heat and an afterburn. Overall, it mixes well but I wouldn't suggest sipping it.