Other Spirits

Sea Wynde Pot Still Rum
46% ABV
$35-$45

What the Distillery Says:
For centuries, the finest rums, like whiskeys, were made in pot stills. Traditionally, pot still rums from several different origins were married together to produce the most coveted rums, rich and complex with flavor. This costly and time-consuming method of distillation has now all but vanished. Today, most rum brands are the product of a column still or a combination of column still and pot still rums. Furthermore, most rum brands are the product of a single country.

Sea Wynde is a rum unlike any other. Not only is it made using the traditional pot still technique, but it also marries rums from Jamaica and Guyana, creating a rich flavor that could never be reproduced by column stills used today, and also proves that two are better than one. In fact, Sea Wynde is the only rum in the world, to our knowledge, to combine pure pot still rums from these two countries. The individual rums are aged in small oak casks, some in the Carribbean and some in the UK. Once all the individual casks are selected, the rums are vatted together prior to bottling.

Sea Wynde is bottled in small batches and, like a vintage wine, the flavor of each bottling will vary. It is a rum of honeyed richness and subtle complexity which places it in a class of its own, and demonstrates the benefits of sticking with tradition. Sea Wynde Pot Still Rum allows you to experience the invigorating taste of the Caribbean and South America any time of year.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fruity, creamy, dark fruits, and stewed cherries.
Palate: Much less sweet than the nose would portray. Nutty and fruity.
Finish: Dry, sharp and hot. Later is turns bitter and almost tannic.
Comments: This is a bit of an odd one. It progresses downward from the nose to finish. The nose is lovely, the palate is interesting, the finish is just okay and possibly off putting. It’s definitely an interesting one to try but you need not rush out to buy a bottle.
Rating: Stands Out

Ron del Barrilito “Three Star” Puerto Rican Rum
43% ABV
$25-$35

What the Distillery Says:
Established in 1880 by Eng. Pedro F. Fernandez in the “Hacienda Santa Ana” at Bayamon, Puerto Rico. For over 100 years, the Fernandez family has manufactured “Ron de Barrilito” at the place of origin, using the same name, formula and aging process. This special rum is a blend of rums aged, each undisturbed, from 6 to 10 years in charred oak barrels. Enjoy its unique, smooth mellow flavor by sipping, in a snifter, or enjoy it straight, with a splash of water, over ice, before or after dinner.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich molasses, brown sugar cookies, slightly smokey and organic.
Palate: Chewy with a lovely mouth feel. Creamy, mellow sweetness, in no way cloying. Honey, bananas and nice citrus notes.
Finish: Warm, slightly bitter but not overly so. It’s a lovely counter balance to the sweetness of the palate.
Comments: Lovely Puerto Rican rum. Pass by the more popular Don Q and Bacardi offers and try a nice taste of Bayamon. Despite the PR on the bottle this is actually distilled for Ron del Barrilito by Bacardi but the flavor stands out well against Bacardi’s rums. A lovely, versatile rum that you won’t regret picking up.
Rating: Stands Out

Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012
Porter Brewed with Molasses
7.4% ABV
$10.99/4 Pack
Website

What the Brewer Says:
This is the first time we have brewed and oak matured a Porter, which has been imparted with great depth of flavour thanks to the addition of some roasted wheat, crystal malt and treacle (molasses). * Please note it is called Winter Beer as it was created for our US market (it is exactly the same beer as Winter Treacle Porter)

Nose: Chocolate / Treacle
Palate: Starts light with oak and molasses in the force. Develops a firm, rich malt backbone, with notes of orange oil and oak. Hints of roast malt, tobacco smoke and chocolate.
Finish: The roast malts, molasses and hop bitterness fall into balance and linger with occasional hints of vanilla.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Mmmm, beery. Seriously though, I’m getting yeast, malt, and hops. Classic beer nose.
Palate: Prickly to start but quickly settling into light wood, a creamy sweetness, and roasted malt on the way down
Finish: This is where I’m getting the molasses. Christmas cookies, more malt, and trailing vanilla.
Comments: A very nice beer that I’d be happy to drink anytime or save for special occasions. It’s really the finish on this that reminds me of winter and Christmas. The nose and palate just say good beer.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank Shannon Fischer with Handcrafted PR for sending a few of these beauties over for review.

Onyx Moonshine
40% ABV
$23.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Onyx Moonshine is the first moonshine to be produced in Connecticut since prohibition. Our authentic American moonshine is handcrafted in small batches from our very own secret recipe. Extremely smooth and delicious, Onyx Moonshine can be enjoyed:

…on the rocks,
…as an exciting replacement for vodka or whiskey in your favorite cocktails, OR
…to make actual prohibition era cocktails.

Moonshine is a truly American spirit, and while not yet part of mainstream American liquors, it can be extremely high quality and enjoyable.

Enjoying Onyx Moonshine is an experience. It begins with the sweet aroma of honey & apple with spicy wood undertones. Onyx has a delicate flavor with a pillow soft texture giving way to a refreshing hint of botanicals. It rounds out with a full-bodiness and is smooth from start to finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Surprisingly un-vodka like. The nose is very bourbon-ish with a hint of vanilla along with fresh cream, granny smith apples, and wildflowers. The vanilla really surprised me with no time spent in wood.
Palate: The palate is almost scotch like in it’s floral notes. Very clean and delicate.
Finish: The finish has just a little pepper pinch at the end.
Comments: I’m an admitted white whiskey hater. I think whiskey needs to hit the wood. Onyx isn’t calling this whiskey though. They aren’t calling it vodka either. It’s a very nice clean spirit that can bring nice flavor to bland vodka cocktails. This is definitely something worth trying.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank the Onyx Spirits Company for providing me with a bottle for review.