Port O Ahuriri Golden Rum (National Distillery Company)

Smell: Dry, with a bit of smoke and herbs. Hints of molasses and brown sugar, but much less than typically found in most gold rums. Taste: It starts semi-sweet, with honey-herbal and subtly spicy notes. Oak with a toasty character, light vanilla, and a touch of brine. The texture is surprisingly light and crisp, yet delightful. Finish: Medium. It's spicy with subdued “rum” characteristics, but much drier than anticipated. This is an unusual, yet equally delightful, rum that stands apart from others I've experienced. In fact, at first, both the nose and palate are more reminiscent of whisky, with typical gold rum traits only emerging later in the tasting. I found this tasting experience to be uniquely educational, interesting, and enjoyable. You may be aware that most "whisky" made in India is produced from molasses instead of grain, and I've always struggled to grasp that concept. However, having now tasted this rum, I can certainly understand how a whisky character can be developed from a sugar-based wort. It's not just an alternative; it's a delicious one. I suppose it helps that my preference leans towards dry, hogo-forward Jamaican-style rums and agricoles rather than syrupy varieties. I thought this was captivating and significantly better than average, so I purchased a bottle that day. Given the price, it felt like a no-brainer. We sampled this along with other National Distillery gins, which I'm reviewing here, at their distillery in Napier, New Zealand. Their distillery tour and subsequent tasting were gracious, engaging, and very worthwhile for the time and expense. I highly recommend it if you find yourself in Napier. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)