Cruzan Single Barrel Rum Arrives for Review

We got our hands on a bottle of Cruzan single barrel, a St. Croix rum we've heard of but never had the pleasure of trying. We're looking forward to giving it a go, and we'll let you know the moment we have a chance to review it. Here's a screen cap of their website's description of the stuff...image text makes the Web purist in us cringe but we think it's a worthwhile read and we didn't feel like re-typing it ourselves.
More info at CruzanRum.com.

Screech Rum: A Retraction

Our long-time readers (hi Mom and Dad) will remember that waaaay back in 2005 we wrote a Screech Rum Review that was... How should we put this? It was less than complimentary to the Newfoundland-based rum. Since then, every once in a while we have received a comment to that review saying, in essence, that we were morons for badmouthing the stuff. Here are some of the choicer comments:

"the stuff is supposed to be harsh. if you can't take it go back to drinking coolers or whatever."
- Matt

"listen, im from newfoundland and it sounds to mw like your just a bunch of mainland bitches, do me and the rest of the world a favor and stick to the water you guys call rum."
- Joey

"By Jesus, whom ever wrote this review has got to be half retarded!!"
- Xwayde

"Just split a bottle with two friends this weekend - we thought Screech was great! Carmel, smooth, wonderful. This reviewer is really an idiot."
-Sam

You get the picture. So, after a few years of this we did what any red-blooded bloggers would do and made a bold, two-pronged move. We checked with the interns who reviewed it, and sat them down to give Screech another try. Below you'll find out what they had to say.

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Brave Spirits: In Remembrance or Celebration

We're not usually ones for waxing patriotic, but not too long ago, the 44th president of the US was sworn in to much pomp and circumstance. He made a great speech, and we can't think of any way to celebrate that moment better than acknowledging the men and women who spend their lives protecting the nation and its citizens. That's why we're telling you about Brave Spirits line of liquors, made up of Valor Vodka, First In Whiskey, Standing Guard Gin, and At Ease Rum.

Brave Spirits is for Soldiers. Marines. Sailors. Airmen. Police officers. Fire fighters. You come to the rescue. You protect. You defend American freedom. You are America's bravest.

We honor you by celebrating your bravery and dedication with something to truly call your own.

For every bottle sold, Brave Spirits donates $2 toward charities that support the men and women of America's military, fire departments and police departments.

So far, they've donated $19K, and here's to more.

Brave Spirits are distributed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC, as well as on select Army and Air Force bases. They are are also available nationwide from several online merchants. More at Brave Spirits

Mount Gay Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

After our success with the Glog recipe we tried before Christmas, we've been interested in checking out some other traditional cocktail recipes. Lo and behold, we get an email from someone representing Mount Gay Rum, with a recipe for hot buttered rum, something we've never tried. We like hot, we dig butter, and we love rum, so expect us to give it a try.

Check out the recipe after the jump, and happy rumming.

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Bacardi Book Arrives for Review

We mentioned the book Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba back in September, and we've finally gotten our hands on a review copy. You know what that means - soon, we'll be holed up in our bunker with a bottle of Bacardi and little else, reading about the history of Cuba. With any luck, we'll come out of the experience a little bit enlightened, a little bit full of rum, and with a full-on Castro beard. Here's hoping!

Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba

We've just learned about a book called Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba, about the trials and tribulations of the Bacardi family during the social and political transitions in Cuba. You'll thrill to the tribulations of a glowing corporate citizen. You'll be awed by the transition of the company from "Cuban Nationalism in a bottle" to multi-national corporate behemoth. You'll probably plow through an entire bottle of Bacardi while you're reading it. Everybody wins!

Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

Drink Like a Pirate, Bitches

As you already know, today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. As you also know, the only way to truly talk like a pirate is to get insanely drunk and/or scurvy. In honor of the former, we've dug up some Pirate cocktail recipes. You will begin mixing and drinking them now, or we will keelhaul you.

(Image via Sorry I Got Drunk)

Find our favorite Grog recipe below; you'll see plenty more Piratical goodness at the Talk Like a Pirate website.

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Holiday Rum Punch Recipe

When most people think 'punch,' they think 'fruit,' 'Hawaiian,' or '...and Judy.' Even if they think of an alcoholic punch, they probably think of another drink that's just been spiked. This doesn't have to be the case, though. In fact, punch can be a combination of festive, boozy, and tasty that can take your holiday party to the next level. We've found a great example of a delicious punch recipe over at Esquire, and we recommend you blow your friends away by making it for your holiday party.

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Bambu Rum: Muddle Me

We just learned about Bambu - no, not the rolling papers, it's a white rum that's going to be launching in October. We don't have many details, but we do know about a launch party that's coming up on October 4. If you're planning to be in the NYC area on that particular Thursday (or even if you weren't planning to), you should check 'em out and get a little taste of the goods. Get the full details of the event by clicking the image on the right.

Find some more details at BambuRum.com [as of press time the site's not live, but here's hoping]

267 Infusions Arrive for Review

We've said multiple times that infusions are the next step in the evolution of booze. Don't get us wrong - we like regular flavored liquors, but the idea of having the actual fruit that's affecting the flavor of our drinks gives us that warm, comforted feeling.

We've seen 267 Infusions in the liquor store multiple times, and we've often been just this side of intrigued enough to pick it up. The question of when we'd actually try it has just been answered, however, as a box containing four of their eight flavors (that's 50% of the line for you math wizzes) has just arrived on our doorstep. Expect a full review of the bottles we received (pineapple and mango rum, as well as lemon and cranberry vodka) ASAP.

More at 267.com

Mojito Yeses and Nos

Jeffrey Morganthaler has put together a nice list of things you should and shouldn't do in relation to a Mojito, and he's onto something. Some of them are common sense for ordering them when you're out (don't ask for one when the bar is mobbed) and others will help you make your own (don't muddle the lime with the ice cubes). Check out the full list, and find Jeffrey's preferred recipe, at his site.

Well, it’s mojito season here in the northern hemisphere, which means it’s time for a little lesson for the novice and experienced mojito drinker alike. Follow these helpful hints, dear reader, and you won’t dare go wrong.

Lay 'em on us, Jeffrey

Dog Water Rum and Fruit Juice Review

We got our bottle of Dog Water a few weeks ago, and while it seems like we've been ignoring it, we've actually got a damn good reason for why the review hasn't gone live yet. Seriously. We do.

The big problem is it polarized the interns we assigned to review it. They tried the Dog Water and began fighting like cats and well...dogs. We usually operate on a consensus basis around here, folding all opinions into one review, but we weren't able to get that close with Dog Water. We guess that's a good thing - if you love it, you love it. In honor of this divide, we're posting our first-ever He Said, She Said review so you can make your own decision.

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Maui Rum Review

Maui Rum
Gold, Platinum, and Dark Rum from Hawai'i
80 Proof (40% ABV)
Website

There are some days we wish we lived in Hawai'i. Y'know, hanging out on the beach, maybe some surfing, plenty of tropical drinks. Oddly enough, this is especially true during the winter, where it's been kind of cold and rainy and, well, cold. Luckily, we were able to pipe in a little slice of the tropics over the last few days in the form of Maui Rum. We've been whipping some tropical drinks of our own (with no umbrellas...we've had enough of those this winter).

So how did our three bottles of Maui Rum compare to our hopes?

Continue reading: "Maui Rum Review"

Appleton Estate Reserve Rum

We're kind of behind the curve on this one since it was released a couple weeks ago, but we found out there's a new Appleton Reserve rum that's been released. We really liked the Appleton V/X we had a while back, and we're looking forward to getting our hands on the reserve.

Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum announced the launch of Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaica Rum in the U.S. Appleton Estate Reserve is a blend of 20 marks of rums hand selected by the industry’s first female master blender, Joy Spence, from the world famous Appleton Estate in Jamaica.

“Appleton Estate Reserve is a great addition to the Appleton Estate range of rums available in the United States,” said Joe Murray, National Brand Manager, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums. “It has received international acclaim and been celebrated throughout the world, so now it’s time for American consumers to taste this wonderfully handcrafted rum.”

Read the rest of the release, including pricing and cocktail recipes, after the jump.

Continue reading: "Appleton Estate Reserve Rum"