Flor
De Cana Grand Reserve Rum
By
George Brozowski
“...Fifteen
men on a dead man's chest, Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of Rum."
"When
drinking rum, the only thing a pirate adds to the rum is more
rum."
Have
you ever noticed how as soon as man discovered something to
eat or drink the second thought that entered his mind (sex
naturally being the first) was how to convert it into alcohol?
Sugar cane and Rum like drinks can be traced back in antiquity
to India and from there spread rapidly to the rest of the
civilized world. Marco Polo mentioned them back in the 14th
century. Christopher Columbus brought sugar cane to the New
World and by the 17th century the stuff was all over the Caribbean.
Pirates
of the Caribbean were famous for hanging out at their favorite
Tippling House and creating a rumbullion and rumbustion (tumult
and uproar) and that might go a ways in explaining where the
name "Rum" came. Other names for rum were Nelson's
Blood, Kill-Devil, Demon Water, Pirate's Drink, Navy Neaters,
and Barbados water.
The
first ever written review of rum read: "The chief fuddling
they make in the island is Rumbullion, alias Kill-Divil, and
this is made of sugar canes distilled, a hot, hellish, and
terrible liquor". Apparently it could have used a bit
of tender loving care and ageing!
I
have to believe that the Flor De Cana 7 year old Grand
Reserve Rum I received will taste much better than
that swill of old. After all, the 115 year old family-owned
Flor de Caña, is the only rum produced
in Nicaragua and the most-awarded rum in the world. Flor
de Caña premium and super premium rums are
the only rums that are "slow-aged," guaranteeing
each age stated on the bottle is the actual age of the rum.
The family owns the largest stock of aged rums in the world
and offers a diverse selection of aged products including;
4-year-old White and Gold; 5-year-old; 7-year-old (around
$25.00 750ml).; 12-year-old (around $35.00 750ml).; and 18-year-old
(around $40.00 750ml). I guess the only question, is why didn't
they send any of the 12 and 18 year old bottles for us to
test drive?
This
7 year old produces a deep complex yet sweet nose with hints
of molasses, vanilla bean, burnt oak and a slight suggestion
of bourbon. It reminds me of sun swept Mexican beaches, hammocks
and ladies with long legs and begs for a splash of coke and
a touch of lime to complete that particular memory.
It
appears auburn brown like diluted coke or iced bourbon in
the glass yet is more substantial and viscous looking.
It
surprises the palate by not fulfilling its sweet promise but
instead lining the mouth with a desire to pair it with something
sweet or tart or both. It waits patiently, standing beautifully
and demurely alone at the party waiting to see who it will
pair up with, if anyone at all.
The
oak is front and center in this orchestra accompanied by the
rest of the instruments in a rising crescendo of flavors accompanied
by a tingle on the tongue that is pleasant and not obtrusive.
The finish is smooth with a taste of pepper and charcoal leaving
a desire to taste it again. It's like standing on a balcony
in the dark watching the last guests leave, after the party
is over, and reflecting on the pleasures that were and might
have been and fighting the urge to yell out and have them
turn and return. But in this case it is much simpler since
I can just pour another glass.
I
can only hope someone introduces me to her two older sisters.
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