Privateer Navy Yard Rum

Verdict: 17/23 This expression is named "Navy Yard," which to me implies navy strength, but I consider navy strength to be around 57% ABV, and this is only 52% ABV. Pusser's Gunpowder Proof shares a similar navy proof concept despite being lower at just 54.5% ABV, yet that's still substantially more potent than this. I had this on my radar to track down for a long time. It seemed impossible to find for years, and then suddenly I saw it was widely available at Seelbach's. I've heard fantastic things about this and am hopeful it meets those high expectations, eager to finally sample it. Nose: Sweet tobacco! I'm genuinely surprised. It's sweet, yet also rich, full, and decadent. A smooth rum character with notes of caramel, wood, vanilla tobacco, and a hint of mustiness. Palate: Sweet tobacco with a touch of mustiness, alongside bold vanilla and hints of cedar. A sweet caramel undertone is present, with some burnt sugar and occasional orange notes. There's quite a lot happening, and it's sweet, decadent, and well-balanced. It's remarkably easy to drink, doing an excellent job showcasing virgin oak, which I believe is its defining feature. Finish: That vanilla virgin oak character lingers prominently. I definitely detect the rum with subtle tangerine notes mixed with lightly caramelized rum funk. There's just enough of that to remind me it's a rum while harmonizing with the virgin oak. - Final Thoughts - I anticipated this would be in the same category as Pusser's and Smith and Cross, but it really isn't. This is more mellow and accessible, with a greater degree of refinement. It's an easy sipper, though it isn't mind-blowing. Still, it easily merits a 15, and I suspect it's even higher, probably a 16, but a 17 is certainly feasible. An 18 feels like a stretch. Foursquare Détente (rated 18/23) possesses a richer profile than this, with a more pronounced bourbon barrel influence. It's more well-rounded and cohesive, though not significantly superior. With that in mind, I believe this expression is closer to the Foursquare than to Pusser's Gunpowder Proof (rated 15/23), making a 17 rating likely. I enjoy it greatly, though it falls into the fairly-priced category rather than being a bargain. I could see an 18, but a 19 seems a bit excessive. Nonetheless, it's a very pleasing drink. Revisiting this the following day, my impression is that it's certainly superior to Pusser's, but doesn't quite reach the level of Foursquare. Therefore, my confidence in a 17 rating is strengthened. In a last-minute comparison, I find this to be bolder and less sweet than Plantation Trinidad 2003, but it lacks complexity and balance, and overall I consider it significantly inferior in comparison. However, that's a very high benchmark to meet. I believe the 17 I awarded this seems appropriate.

Despite hearing numerous positive remarks about Privateer over the past year, I held off on purchasing a bottle to try it. The distillery is located approximately a 40-minute drive from my residence, offering the chance to taste before buying. A couple of weekends ago, as event cancellations began to escalate but before social distancing became a common term, my partner and I decided we needed an outing. We headed to Privateer! To sum it up: the distillery tour was excellent, the facility itself is stunning, the Privateer team is passionate about crafting exceptional rum, and everything we sampled was outstanding. Privateer's tagline is "True American Rum:", and they are dedicated to their objective of producing world-class rum. This includes specially sourced molasses, no added ingredients or sweeteners, careful distilling and aging methods, and weekly cleaning of the stills, to name a few aspects. However, perhaps the strongest indicator of Privateer's achievement is this: Velier (for those unfamiliar, Velier is an Italian bottler that selects and bottles rum from premier distilleries globally, such as Hampden, Foursquare, and Caroni) will soon be releasing select Privateer casks. Regarding the Navy Rum, it faced stiff competition from the other rums we tasted, but it was among my favorites. It offered a subtle spice, along with delightful notes on both the aroma and palate, including brown sugar, tobacco, leather, and oak. The oak might be the most prominent note. I've encountered other reviews describing it as resembling pencil shavings, but to me, it's a crisp, dry oak burst unlike anything I've experienced before. Truly beautiful. My partner picked up one of Privateer's recipe cards for a "Navy Yard Julip," and she prepared a batch the next evening. While I'm not typically a cocktail enthusiast, I was impressed by how well this rum complemented the mint and simple syrup. We departed Privateer with six bottles, though it could have been more had the distillery not been so easily accessible (in addition to their standard offerings, they feature many "distiller's draw" limited editions). Six bottles of high-quality craft spirits can be costly, but our total purchase averaged just over $40 per bottle. Excellent value for money, in my opinion. If you appreciate rum and haven't tried Privateer yet, do yourself a favor and get some! I also believe Privateer would appeal to whiskey enthusiasts who often find rum too sweet or syrupy. Due to the absence of added sugar, the sweetness is controlled while the barrel characteristics are highlighted.

US rums haven't typically been highly regarded globally, but Privateer appears to be starting to alter that perception. I haven't actually tasted anything from them yet, but I've heard positive remarks, and a few individuals have compared them to Foursquare, which is high praise. The barrel number I have is P609, with an ABV of 54.8%. The nose presents vanilla and spice, along with some oak. It certainly smells like an aged rum. After a few sips, it has a pleasant mouthfeel. It's rich, but not excessively sweet (leaning more towards dry), though not particularly complex. I detect notes of dried fruit and chocolate alongside the oak. The finish is a bit short, which isn't surprising given its 2-5 year age range. There's a slight warmth, but overall it's quite smooth with the spices reappearing. Considering the price, it's hard to fault this rum. While it might not be the most intricate rum available, I can definitely understand the buzz around the brand. I wouldn't say it's quite on par with Foursquare yet, but it's heading in the right direction. It could even be a suitable choice for certain cocktails if a rum with some potency is needed. If you're hesitant to spend $80-100 on a Foursquare (sometimes even more these days), this is a decent alternative at half the cost.

Seriously, if you spot a bottle, grab it. This rum is fantastic in the classic sense. It's exactly what one would anticipate from a top-tier rum, period. Most people mistakenly purchase "spiced" rums expecting this flavor. It presents robust pepper notes, hints of oak, and molasses sweetness that's perfectly balanced in the finish. The rum's strength emerges in the mid-palate, revealing peppery notes and a slightly dry, sea-salt-like sensation. Imagine a perfectly tailored traditional suit; that's this rum's taste. It appeals to both pirates and corporate leaders.

To be truthful, tasting this rum is quite the task. It reminds me of rums such as Ron Diplomatico Reserve with its sugary taste, but also rums like the Appleton 12 year with its subtle funk and tropical notes. What makes it distinct is the amount of sweet wood (imagine fresh shavings and a young forest) and the hit of oak on the initial taste. I was uncertain about American rum (I do have a fondness for Sailor Jerry from my younger drinking days), but this truly makes me pleased and curious; what else is available from American rum?

It has a pleasant copper hue. The aroma presents caramelized sugar with a subtle alcohol presence. The taste features vanilla and wood notes accompanied by a touch of warmth. The warmth is expected given its 108.6 proof. The mouthfeel and finish are both moderate. A companion from Boston shared this with me in NJ as requested, and it met expectations. My rum journey began with Thomas Tew, which has a comparable flavor profile. This expression is like Tew but intensified. These rums from New England showcase very clean finishes, signifying their excellent quality. Barrel #P474