Privateer Single Cask

The aroma is quite restrained, but with a few drops of water, the notes begin to emerge, starting with rich and tart citrus alongside light floral hints, then caramelized pineapple, fried bananas, tangerine orange, and vanilla gelato, transitioning to subtle spices of ginger, cloves, and toasted whole wheat bread, with a strong alcohol presence. The taste has a rich, oily texture, beginning with light tart fruits and floral notes that shift towards a moderate bitter spice before fading into dark chocolate-covered cherries and pineapple upside-down cake, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and light oak with a strong alcohol presence. The finish is long, featuring frosted shredded wheat cereal, pineapple upside-down cake, apricots, butterscotch, and roasted cacao nibs. This is a remarkable rum that delivers those bold, rich tropical fruits along with some oak spices, tasting significantly older than its 4 years and 7 months in the barrel, yet still retaining a mild youthful tartness with near-perfect balance. Privateer clearly knows their craft, as this can easily rival some of my favorite rums from Foursquare. At approximately $80, Privateer offers accessible and flavorful rums that I believe many high-proof bourbon enthusiasts would thoroughly enjoy. Many thanks to the person who shared this delicious dram.

This is a single cask store selection, aged for 4 years and 7 months at 59.7% ABV. As this is my first rum review, I'm quite new to this spirit. I have a bottle of Mount Gay XO, and this is considerably better. The Mount Gay has an unidentifiable off note that persists from the aroma to the finish. The aroma here is quite vanilla-like, evoking both blandness and sugary sweetness. However, the palate offers more complexity than the aroma suggests. It could almost be mistaken for a bourbon, perhaps one finished in a rum cask. Close, but not quite. Flavors include vanilla, caramel, pineapple, and cherry. It reminds me of upside-down pineapple cake. There's a touch of oak present. It's quite good, though surprisingly sweet, even without any added sugar, which I understand is common in many rums. I plan to secretly include this in a blind whiskey tasting with friends to gauge the reactions of those unfamiliar with rum.

Grateful for the sample provided. I was unfamiliar with this Rum until a friend highly recommended the distillery in several reviews. As a native of MA, I take pride in their exceptional work. The quality is outstanding, and the flavors are pure, featuring rich oaky vanilla with a perfectly balanced melted brown sugar sweetness. It concludes with a wonderfully clean finish, free of any unpleasant notes or bitterness. While it lacks strong hogo, not all rum requires it. I wish I could obtain a bottle. I plan to visit New England this summer and might seek one out to bring home.....87/100

These are always superb.