Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
SPEED TASTING REPORT Brugal 1888: Rum for the Whiskey Crowd I The Rumhattan n 1888, Andrés Brugal Montaner ◗ 4 oz. Brugal 1888 founded Brugal & Company in the ◗ 1 oz. Carpano Antica Dominican Republic. Five genera◗ 2 dashes Peychaud's tions later, the Brugal family carries on their great-grandfather's legacy Bitters by producing rums of craft and ◗ Combine and stir. tradition. The limited-edition Brugal 1888 ($50), which pays homage to Andrés Brugal Montaner, is an ultra-premium rum that is aged extensively for five to 14 years in American white oak before finishing in sherry casks. "This is a rum for whiskey drinkers," says John Dupont, Brand Ambassador. Remy Cointreau USA Our Panel's Notes: "With its depth of flavor (black coffee, earth and black cherry), Brugal 1888 is convincingly one deep and complex spirit and takes this Manhattan straight to the Caribbean." —Samantha Rogers The Mixologist: John Dupont, who comes from New Orleans, is Brand Ambassador for Rémy Cointreau USA. Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Rum: Striking Gold in Arizona D esert Diamond Distillery struck it rich when they decided to make ◗ 2 oz. Gold Miner Barrel their 80-proof Gold Miner Rum ($40). After only three years in operation, Reserve Rum ◗ ½ oz. Amaro Ramazzotti this family-owned and -operated ◗ ¼ oz. simple syrup distillery has been awarded many ◗ Squeeze of one orange accolades in its short existence, including a Gold Medal for this rum ◗ Combine and stir. at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Rum is one-time column-distilled from Louisiana sugarcane molasses and aged for 30 months in new, lightly charred oak barrels. According to distiller and owner John Patt, the mission behind this product is to "compete with the Caribbean, but make a rum with a Southwestern flair." The Mixologist: John Patt, distiller and brand owner of Gold Miner Rum. 128 / the tasting panel / april 2013 Fool's Gold Our Panel's Notes: "The rum possesses a beautiful nose with sweet brown sugar, melon and apple cider tones. The sweet raisin and fig notes from the Amaro pair beautifully with this excellent rum." —Richie Moe "The golden rum is a fine alternative to whiskey in this take on the Manhattan, bringing out some side notes of caramel and sugar beets. I appreciate the artisanal nature of this spirit." —Luis San Martin