Privateer The Queen's Share Rum

I appreciate this spirit. It's not exceptionally complex, but it offers enjoyable vanilla notes and richness. This expression is meant to be a slight improvement, so I was keen to sample it. Appearance: This is somewhat less dark than the aforementioned spirit. It's not light, but it lacks that extra richness. Nose: Features vanilla with a musty wood aroma that, while not highly nuanced, possesses a certain richness. It presents a less bold and assertive aroma than the Navy Yard, but it's also more polished. While less intriguing, it suggests a more harmonious drink. Palate: Some sweet vanilla and wood notes lead directly into spicy flavors that have a slight sting. The spices lean towards savory with an earthiness that hints at chili pepper. Complexity is limited, and there's a subtle bite of alcohol. A noticeable spicy alcohol sting makes this somewhat harsh. Adding a little water doesn't significantly alter the profile, and the harshness persists. It becomes less intense, but only due to being diluted. Finish: The vanilla notes reappear after a brief absence, accompanied by a subtle mustiness, which is arguably the most appealing aspect. A light earthiness returns before fading back into the mustiness and sweet vanilla. This finish is quite pleasant and a definite improvement over the palate. Conclusion: This is acceptable, but it lacks the richness of the Privateer Navy Yard and is harsher without being more complex. It's also more bitter and earthy than the Navy Yard, with less sweetness. The Navy Yard is considerably superior. This won't score above 15. Another spirit is much smoother and has an interesting fruitiness that this lacks. I now believe a score of 15 is too high, possibly as low as 11 due to the harshness. I wouldn't go as low as 10 because the alcohol isn't overly prominent, and the finish has some pleasing mustiness, which is its strongest point. Even with dilution, this presents challenges. Reconsidering, I'd score it a 10 or 11. I'll settle on an 11 for now, though a 9 is conceivable. This is quite difficult. I'm very let down.

I'm lucky to be in a region with access to several single cask selections from Privateer; this one was a PM Spirits pick. I've always wanted to enjoy Privateer, having grown up near Boston and knowing they produce a rum specifically suited to the bourbon palate, but this wasn't the bottle that convinced me. Having initially favored funky Hampden, Beenleigh, and Guyanese rums, this just felt too understated. It took some bolder Privateer offerings, a 7-year molasses-based rum, and a cask strength Queen's Share collaboration with PM Spirits to win me over, and when I revisited this bottle, it suddenly made sense. Now, I strongly believe this distiller rivals the best Foursquare has to offer. This particular bottle can taste very bourbon-like due to the new oak influence, but it's undeniably a rum with its excellent mouthfeel, coconut, and anise notes. I started this bottle as a Privateer doubter, almost ready to dismiss the distillery, and finished it as a devoted fan, eagerly anticipating what the future holds.

Body has some presence. Light to medium. Color is deep amber, with unclear red undertones. The nose is dominated by vanilla, with less ethanol than anticipated for the proof. Hints of oak and cinnamon are detected. The palate has an oily texture. A mild burn at the start gives way to vanilla, baking spices, oak, and a trace of tobacco. A subtle saltiness on the edges combines with the tobacco hint to evoke the scent of leather. The finish is light, with cinnamon lingering at the back of the throat. A few drops of water significantly enhance the vanilla notes.

Nice, clear, deep bronze color. Good legs, thin and move quickly. A clean, medium nose with low alcohol for a 109 proof spirit. It has an interesting mustiness with hints of oak, vanilla, and baking spices, with some ripe banana subtly present. Very dry, but with a full mouthfeel. Pleasant spice notes that develop on the palate and then linger at the back, finishing with an almost sweet note of toffee or treacle. Overall, a very good rum with nice complexity that remains very approachable. Much too good for a cocktail, but excellent either neat or with a single cube to enhance it.

Barrel #P321 55.4% ABV The aroma is dense and heavy, with abundant molasses, caramel, vanilla bean, and charred cinnamon stick. The mouthfeel is dense and viscous. More molasses on the palate, with creme brulee, toffee, and buttery cinnamon toast. The finish is where this one falls short. It begins well with burnt sugar and a touch of cinnamon, but fades to a harsh, astringent sensation that lingers unpleasantly for too long. Without the finish, this would easily be a 4+ star rum, but that harsh ending makes it more of a mixer for me.

P303, 56.9% A potent nose with an alcohol aroma. It's not particularly smooth, but that's expected at 120 proof. The flavor is amazing at this proof. The aging process imparted significant flavor, giving it an almost Scotch-like essence. It's not overly pleasant on its own, but it would work wonderfully in cocktails.