Old New Orleans Amber Rum

My view is that rum, much like whiskey, should be crafted with the intention of being exceptional for sipping neat or in an Old Fashioned. Many rums achieve this, in my opinion as a whiskey enthusiast. This particular rum does not. During my visit to the distillery in New Orleans, the guide consistently emphasized that this rum was specifically designed as a mixer. And to be fair, it performs well in that capacity! However, in my personal judgment, any aged spirit ought to be created with the goal of being excellent neat or on the rocks. Starting with a superior base product will inevitably enhance your cocktails.

The aroma is butterscotch with a sharp, spicy hint, possibly clove. It's followed by an oily, roasted toffee character. The flavor is unlike almost anything else I've encountered. It has a grassy, funky quality with a baked goods (perhaps sugar cookie) finish. Generally, it can be overpowering when neat; ice softens it. Despite mentioning sweet elements, this isn't a sweet rum. Frankly, it's not particularly enjoyable on its own, but then again, even the producer labels it as a mixer.

The color is a nice amber. The nose is initially slightly strong on the ethanol. As the ethanol fades, notes of sugar and butterscotch emerge, although they are masked by a strong oily essence that is a little unappealing. The first sip is oily, with rich notes of charred oak and mild sweetness, with very subtle butterscotch. It finishes with mild baking spice. Almost no burn, very smooth. Overall, quite good for the price.

Not as sweet as most rum but still full of flavor. Very smooth and easy to drink.