March 2016 MICHIGAN Kalamazoo - Rum Party

Well, I didn't really travel for this blog entry, except down one flight of steps to our downstairs neighbor's loft. But the event was worth blogging about.

Our friends Jeanette and Alanta invited us to a rum tasting party on Saturday. Eight folks attended and I was surprised at the intellectual banter that surrounded the six dark rum tastings. Not really surprised, but just had not thought about it too much, and there was a lot to drink and think about.

Mike and I are loyal Myer's rum fans. When we first met, Mike introduced me to that brand. Before that I drank boring Bacardi's light. Now we only wander elsewhere under duress, when a bar does not stock Myer's. Yes, we are rum snobs, if it is not Myer's. Maybe not so much after today though.

We started the evening with a Gosling's Cuba Libre cocktail (rum served with Coke and a lime wedge). Mike and I secretly turned up our noses a bit. Not bad, just not the taste we love and adore. After that it was pure tasting in miniature tasting cups. A new cup for each brand. How elegantly "pure" was that!!

The first tasting shot was the same as above--Gosling's Black Seal Bermuda Rum (priced $21 per 750ml and 96 points with Wine Enthusiast). It was smoother than we expected, not too spicy (like a Captain Morgan's which I abhor) and with a touch of almond background.  It was paired with raw almonds, which might have "encouraged" the hint of almond.

Next was our current fave, Myer's Rum Original Dark from Jamaica (priced at $23 and 89 points with Beverage Testing Institute). We contributed this bottle, of course. Mike and I usually order this Cuba Libre, but drinking it without a mix was way different. It was not as smooth as the Gosling's. I would not recommend this one straight. Quite alcoholy, but mildly sweet. This was paired with dark chocolate, which seemed to smooth it out a bit.

Third was British West Indies Pyrat XO Reserve (priced at $27 and 96 points with WE). For me this had more of a whiskey like flavor and my least favorite. It did have a hint of orange and maybe that contributed to the problem for me. I like oranges, but not orange-flavored things. This was served with Cheetos, a play on the color, I guess, but a fun match. Wondered why a Buddha is on the label. Also, Patron is a "sister" brand of Pyrat. I definitely would rather have the tequila.

Kraken Black Spiced Rum brand was next. It is a mix of Caribbean island rums (priced at $16 and not rated). It comes in a jug-handled bottle, has the motto "Put a Beast in your Belly," and logo of a menacing giant squid on the label. It has a vanilla after taste that I really liked. A&J nicely paired this with a wonderful brie and cracker. Alanta thought it would also be wonderful mixed into egg nog.

The last two did not have, nor did they need, a food pairing. Next was Zaya Rum from Trinidad.($26 and rated 89 with BTI). BevMo says " Double Gold Medal winner at 2005 San Francisco Spirits Competition. Distilled in small copper pots to achieve greater complexity and matured for 12 years in oak barrels." This was smooth enough to drink as a sipping rum.

Our last tasting was  Diplomatico (green bottle) from Venezuela ($50 and 94 points with Anthony Dias Blue 2013 rating). It was the smoothest of the day, silky even. Had hints of brown sugar (rather than molasses or sugar cane) and not spicy. No burn whatsoever. This was the favorite for seven out of eight in the group.

Along the way we also munched on delish mini BBQ pork sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, and a nice selection of fresh veggies and dip. Our last rummy drink was Myer's mixed with pineapple juice. It went well with the homemade rum ball cookies and rum cake we had for dessert. And we all got a little carry out of those sweets, which "paired" well with our Easter Sunday morning coffee.

Today turned the rum tide a bit for us. It was interesting to try some new brands. Tasting the difference between them on a raw (no mix) basis was intriguing. I'm still a huge fan of Myer's, but if I'm going to sip a straight shot of rum, I'd go with Diplomatico. And ... can't wait to try some Cuban rums when they are available in the U.S.