Jack Tar Dark Rum Review

Jack Tar
Blended Dark Rum
Imported from Jamaica via South Africa
86 Proof (43% ABV)

We were inclined to lay off rum for a little while, especially after our Screech Rum experience, but all of the to-do about Cachaca lately has warmed up our taste buds for South American liquor. With summer coming, it's time to start thinking about frozen drinks, and rum is the building block of quite a few, including our personal favorite, the daiquiri.

We're big fans of all rums and dark rum in particular (love them Dark and Stormies), but how does Mr. Jack Tar line up against other dark rums like Gosling, Black Seal and Myers? Read on to find out.

The Color: Dark...Rum
Living up to its name, Jack Tar has a dark, molasses brown tint, reminiscent of Bourbons and other dark spirits.

The Nose: Molasses and More
The first whiff was smelled like sugar cane and brown sugar, with a slight smell of molasses. It smelled rich and complex and fruity, and didn't have too much of the alcoholic burn we associate with some lower-end rums.

The Taste: Robust
We swished it around in our mouths, and the first thought was that it was dryer than we expected. It was sweet, but not too sweet, and nowhere near as oily as we would have thought from the smell. Drunk straight, it left our tongue feeling dry and tingly, and it wasn't overwhelmingly "boozy."

The Recipes: Daiquiris Go!
We love daiquiris, and before you make fun of us, we're not talking about the strawberry-flavored ones your mom orders when you're at Applebee's. The original daiquiri was made with a shot of rum, a shot of lime juice (fresh, of course) and some simple syrup or superfine sugar, shaken over ice. They're usually made with light rum, but we mixed ours up with Jack Tar and loved the taste - we can't wait for summer.

We also liked Jack Tar on the rocks, with cola, and in Dark and Stormies (mixed with ginger ale). It made for a supremely good mixer, and we've found that rum, even dark rum, is a liquor just about everyone can agree one when you're milling around the liquor store trying to decide what to buy.

The Verdict: Thumbs Up!
We remember reading somewhere that the British Navy used to "impress" their new recruits - they'd get people drunk on rum, and throw them on ships while they were passed out. We were impressed with Jack Tar, and if left to our own devices with enough bottles of this stuff lying around, we can see how we might suffer the same fate. We wouldn't mind as long as they kept the dark rum coming.

The Site: Thar She Blows!
Learn more about Jack Tar at the Berniko site.

May 9, 2006

Jack Tar Dark Rum Review