Rumaniacs
Short reviews and backgrounders of old, out of production or just plain forgotten rums. For some notes on the series, its origins and philosophy, see the narrative below the list.
The rums, in alphabetical order
- R-098 | 0642 A. A. Baker Jamaican Rum (1970s)
- R-092 | 0604 A.D. Rattray Monymusk 1986 25 YO Jamaican Rum
- R-156 | 1017 ABC Gold Label Tropical Rum Superior (1970s/1980s)
- R-030 | 0430 Alfred Lamb Special Reserve Rum 1949 (URM)
- R-133 | 0892 Antoniazzi Jamaican Rum (1970s) VIDEO
- R-093 | 0607 Appleton Special Jamaican Rum (2016)
- R-035 | 0435 Appleton Estate 21 Year Old (1990s)
- R-036 | 0436 Appleton Estate V/X (1980s/1990s)
- R-037 | 0437 Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Jamaican Rum (1980s)
- R-038 | 0438 Appleton Reserve 12 Year Old Rum (Ceramic Jug) (1960s/1970s)
- R-020 | 0420 Appleton Estate “Extra” 12 Year Old (1980s)
- R-040 | 0440 Appleton Reserve 20 Year Old Rum (Ceramic Jug)(1960s/1970s)
- R-041 | 0441 Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Rum (2012)
- R-027 | 0427 Bacardi Añejo 6 Year Old (Puerto Rico, 1980s)
- R-152 | 1004 Bacardi Añejo (Mexico)(1970s)
- R-151 | 1003 Bacardi Gold Reserve (Puerto Rico)(1970s/1980s)
- R-150 | 1002 Bacardi Legendario “Carta Blanca” (Mexico)(1970s)
- R-154 | 1006 Bacardi “Select” Rum (Puerto Rico)(1990s)
- R-022 | 0422 Bacardi Superior “Carta de Oro” Añejo (1970s)
- R-153 | 1005 Bacardi Superior “Premium Black” (Puerto Rico)(1970s/1980s)
- R-149 | 1001 Bacardi Superior “Silver Label” White Rum (Puerto Rico)(1970s)
- R-033 | 0433 Bacardi Facundo Paraiso (2013)
- R-003 | 0403 Barbancourt 1977 >25 Year Old (Haiti, 1970s, Veronelli)
- R-005 | 0405 Barbancourt Reserve du Domaine 15 Year Old (Haiti, 1970s)
- R-021 | 0421 Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale (1970s)
- R-117 | 0742 Bardinet Rhum Negrita (1980s)
- R-049 | 0449 Berry Bros. & Rudd 1977 Jamaica Rum “Overproof”
- R-026 | 0426 Berry Bros. & Rudd 1975 Reserve Demerara Rum
- R-025 | 0425 Black Joe Jamaican Rum (1980s)
- R-131 | 0873 Bounty “Spirit of St. Lucia” Rum (1970s-1980s)
- R-086 | 0571 Buccaneer St. Lucia Rum (2000s)
- R-090 | 0595 C.J. Wray Dry White Rum (2000s)
- R-142 | 0957 Cadenhead’s Green Label Demerara 10 YO Rum (Late 1990s)
- R-139 | 0946 Captain Morgan Black Label Jamaica Rum (1970s)
- R-140 | 0952 Captain Morgan Black Label Blended Rum (1980s)
- R-162 | 1055 Caves do Barrocão Rhum Fantasia (Portugal)(1970s) NEW
- R-085 | 0561 Clarke’s Court “Kalypso” Grenada White Rum (1990s)
- R-089 | 0590 Clarke’s Court Superior Light Rum (43%) (2000s)
- R-103 | 0676 Clément Trés Vieux Rhum Agricole 1976 20 YO
- R-104 | 0677 Clément Trés Vieux Rhum Agricole 1970
- R-105 | 0678 Clément Trés Vieux Rhum Agricole 1952
- R-161 | 1047 Clément Trés Vieux XO Rhum Agricole (Blend)
- R-122 | 0785 Coruba Blanca Extra Light White Rum (1970s)
- R-159 | 1036 Costa y Montserrat Ron Marina Blanco (Spain)(1960s)
- R-004 | 0404 DDL King of Diamonds (Guyana, 1980s)
- R-094 | 0610 Domaine de Séverin Rhum Vieux 45% (1990s)
- R-095 | 0611 Domaine de Séverin Rhum Agricole Blanc 50% (1990s)
- R-160 | 1041 Don Q “Cristal” Puerto Rican Rum (1980s/1990s)
- R-083 | 0544 Doorly’s 5 Year Old Fine Old Barbados Rum (1980s)
- R-157 | 1019 Doorly’s “Macaw” Barbados White Rum (Late 2010s)
- R-116 | 0732 Dry Cane Extra Light Superior White Rum (1970s)
- R-019 | 0419 E.H. Keeling Old Demerara Rum (UK/BG 1950s)
- R-081 | 0538 E.S.A. Field “Stade’s” Barbados White Rum (1980s/1990s)
- R-078 | 0512 E. Vaughan-Jones Standard Pure Old Jamaican Rum (1960s)
- R-163 | 1097 Edward Young & Co. Blue Mountain Jamaican Rum (1940s/1950s) NEW
- R-028 | 0428 El Dorado 25 Year Old (1980 edition)
- R-029 | 0429 El Dorado 25 Year Old (1986 edition)
- R-135 | 0914 Four Bells Imported Navy Rum (1970s-1980s)
- R-109 | 0696 Four Bells Finest Old Navy Rum (1970-1980s)
- R-143 | 0963 Fryns Hasselt Haiti Old Rhum (1980s)
- R-101 | 0667 George Morton’s Old Vatted Demerara (O.V.D.) Rum (1970s)
- R-123 | 0800 German Overseas Rum (1920s / 1930s)
- R-048 | 0448 Gordon & MacPhail Longpond 1941 Jamaican Rum
- R-144 | 0976 Hana Bay Original Premium Rum (USA, 1980s)
- R-155 | 1010 Hana Bay Original Premium White Rum (USA, 1980s)
- R-034 | 0434 Havana Club Añejo Reserva (1980s)
- R-124 | 0803 Havana Club Silver Dry White Rum (Cuba)(1980s-1990s)
- R-138 | 0939 Hawaiian Distillers “Spirit of Hawaii” (1980s)
- R-146 | 0985 Ian Macleod No. 34 “Diamond of Frederiksberg” Demerara Rum (2003)
- R-096 | 0617 Inner Circle “Green Dot” Overproof Rum (Australia/Fiji) (2000s)
- R-042 | 0442 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1993
- R-043 | 0443 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1992
- R-044 | 0444 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1982
- R-045 | 0445 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1979
- R-046 | 0446 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1975
- R-047 | 0447 J. Bally Rhum Vieux Agricole Millésime 1960
- R-009 | 0409 J. Bally des Plantations Lajus du Carbet 6 Ans (1980s?)
- R-080 | 0516 John Milroy Finest Jamaican “Golden Strength” 26 Year Old Rum
- R-006 | 0406 La Martiniquaise Rhum Pur (Martinique, 1940s/1950s)
- R-008 | 0408 La Favorite Rhum Vieux 1990 AOC (Martinique, 1990s)
- R-108 | 0693 Lamb’s Navy Rum (1980s)
- R-099 | 0663 Lamb’s Demerara Navy Rum 70º Proof (1970s)
- R-053 | 0453 Le Rhum Par Neisson (Blanc)
- R-132 | 0880 Leilani Hawaiian Rum (1960s-1970s)
- R-110 | 0700 Lemon Hart Royal Navy Demerara Rum 151 (1970s)
- R-107 | 0688 Lemon Hart Golden Jamaica Rum (1970s)
- R-137 | 0931 Liquid Sunshine “Dark Jamaica” Finest Rum (1970s)
- R-106 | 0681 Mainbrace Rum (Late 1980s)
- R-079 | 0514 Monymusk Distillery Patent Still “Demerara” Rum 7 YO (1990s)
- R-134 | 0902 Navy Neaters 95.5º Proof (Guyana) Rum (1970s)
- R-054 | 0454 Neisson L’Esprit 70º (Blanc)
- R-067 | 0476 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Age 1991-1997 45.3%
- R-068 | 0478 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge 1992-2012 10 YO 49.2%
- R-069 | 0480 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge 1993-2012 19 YO 46.3%
- R-070 | 0482 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge 1994-2012 18 YO 43.6%
- R-071 | 0484 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge 1995-2014 19 YO 48%
- R-072 | 0486 Neisson Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge 1997-2012 15 YO 44.7%
- R-073 | 0488 Neisson Rhum Agricole Vieux Brut de Fût 2003-2012 9 YO 43.1%
- R-074 | 0490 Neisson Rhum Agricole Vieux Brut de Fût 2005-2012 45.8%
- R-075 | 0492 Neisson Rhum Agricole Vieux Brut de Fût 2005-2014 43.0%
- R-051 | 0451 Neisson Extra Vieux
- R-052 | 0452 Neisson Single Cask 2004 Rhum Agricole Vieux 45.4%
- R-007 | 0407 Nicholson Finest Trinidad Rum (Trinidad, 1970s)
- R-087 | 0574 Old Fort Reserve Rum (St. Lucia)(2000s)
- R-126 | 0844 Premium Tortuga Gold Rum (1990s)
- R-102 | 0670 Pre-1970s Royal Navy Rum (~1955)
- R-114 | 0724 “Red Duster” Finest Navy Rum (Townend, 1970s)
- R-010 | 0410 Rhum des Plantations St. James 1885
- R-136 | 0920 Rhum Jacsi Martinique (late 1950s)
- R-100 | 0664 Rhum Jamaique Saint Germaine (est 1890s)
- R-088 | 0587 Rhum J.M. Vieux Millésime 1989-2004 15 Year Old
- R-112 | 0714 Rhum Rich Vernhes (Martinique? ~1960s)
- R-018 | 0418 Rhum St. Gilles (Martinique, 1960s/1970s)
- R-023 | 0423 Rhum Saint James Vieux Agricole millésime 1986
- R-024 | 0424 Rhum Saint James (Martinique, 1970s/1980s)
- R-055 | 0455 Rhum Saint-James Cuvée 250 ans
- R-050 | 0450 Rhum des Plantations St. James 1932
- R-056 | 0456 Rhum Negresco “First Quality” Very Old
- R-125 | 0823 Rhumerie de la Reunion (Savanna) “Varangue” Rum – 1990s
- R-128 | 0862 Rom Deluxe RDL #1 (2016) (DR, O&O 12 YO)
- R-129 | 0863 Rom Deluxe RDL #4 (2016) (Barbados 4S 11 YO)
- R-130 | 0864 Rom Deluxe RDL #5 (2017) Jamaica, WP 7 YO)
- R-121 | 0768 Ron Botran 1893 Solera (Decanter)(2000s)
- R-031 | 0431 Ron Caney Carta Oro Superior 1960s/1970s
- R-032 | 0432 Ron Caney Añejo Superior 1960s/1970s
- R-111 | 0707 Ron Castillo Imperial (Mexico, 1980s)
- R-148 | 0996 Ron Añejo Pampero Deluxe Venezuelan Rum (1980s)
- R-057 | 0457 Ron White Cat Caribbean Light White Rum
- R-076 | 0506 Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Años (Early 2000s)
- R-084 | 0554 Samaroli 1948-1991 43 Year Old West Indies Rum
- R-097 | 0621 Sangster’s Old Jamaica De Luxe Gold Rum (1980s/1990s)
- R-014 | 0414 Sant’ Andrea 1939
- R-118 | 0755 St. Lucia Distillers “1931” 2º Edition Rum (2012)
- R-119 | 0756 St. Lucia Distillers “1931” 3º Edition Rum (2013)
- R-120 | 0757 St. Lucia Distillers “1931” 4º Edition Rum (2014)
- R-082 | 0541 Stubb’s Queensland White Rum (Australia, 1990s)
- R-113 | 0717 Superb Tortuga Light Rum (1980s)
- R-091 | 0598 Takamaka Bay Overproof Rum 72% (Seychelles, 2000s)
- R-001 | 0401 Trois Rivières 1977 Rhum Vieux Agricole Millèsime
- R-141 | 0953 Tuthilltown Distillery Roggen’s Rum (USA) (2012)
- R-115 | 0728 United Rum Merchants Black Heart Rum (1970s/1980s)
- R-015 | 0415 Velier Blairmont 1982 29 Year Old (Guyana, 2011)
- R-016 | 0416 Velier Caroni 1985 Heavy 21 YO Rum
- R-017 | 0417 Velier Caroni 1982 Heavy 24 Year Old Rum
- R-012 | 0412 Velier PM 1974 (Guyana, 2008)
- R-013 | 0413 Velier Albion 1986 (Guyana, 2011)
- R-066 | 0473 Velier Albion 1983-2000 17 YO Guyanese Rum
- R-058 | 0458 Velier Caroni 1982-2005 23 Year Old Light Trinidad Rum (59.2%)
- R-059 | 0459 Velier Caroni 1984-2006 22 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (54.6%)
- R-060 | 0461 Velier Caroni 1982-2006 24 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (58.3%)
- R-061 | 0463 Velier Caroni 1982-2006 24 Year Old Light Trinidad Rum (55.2%)
- R-062 | 0465 Velier Caroni 1983-2005 22 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (52%)
- R-063 | 0467 Velier Caroni 1982-2005 23 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (77.3%)
- R-064 | 0469 Velier Caroni 1983-2008 25 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (55%)
- R-065 | 0471 Velier Caroni 1982-2005 23 Year Old Heavy Trinidad Rum (62%)
- R-077 | 0508 Velier Enmore 1988 (Guyana, 2008)
- R-002 | 0402 Velier Skeldon 1973 32 Year Old Rum (Guyana, 1973)
- R-011 | 0411 Velier UF30E 1985 27 Year Old (Guyana, 2012)
- R-127 | 0855 Westerhall White Jack Rum (Grenada)(2010s)
- R-145 | 0981 Whaler’s Original Dark Rum (Rare Reserve)(Red Label) (1970s / 1980s)
- R-147 | 0990 Whaler’s Original Dark Rum (Rare Reserve)(Green Label) (1970s / 1980s)
- R-158 | 1025 Woods Old Charlie Jamaica Rum 70° Proof (1970s)
- R-039 | 0439 Wray & Nephew Private Stock (1970s)
Background
The Rumaniacs Project was conceptualized in late 2014 and then formally brought together in Paris in April 2015. It comprised a number of European rum reviewers (and one nomadic West Indian): and its stated purpose was to preserve in writing, the memory of rums long out of production….rums rare and sometimes vanished from the collective consciousness, except in the private stocks of long-time collectors or lucky inheritors, or the memories of old navy men from years gone by who remember with a sigh a particularly grand Caribbean tipple they had in their wild seafaring youth in a shack out on a beach somewhere tropical.
Initially one of the founding members volunteered to send us samples from his very extensive private stocks on an ongoing basis, we set up a website to which we all contributed our tasting notes, and many of us also agreed to exchange samples of our own long-hoarded, jealously guarded bottles. Most if not all of the first 75 or so reviews here came from such sources. However, as time went on, the effort and time seemed to be too much for most, and the effort faltered. By 2018 the “official” group was no longer writing, nor were samples being exchanged as before and by 2022 (when I checked on a whim) the website the founder had set up had died; so I began acquiring rums that fit the criteria on my own account through online sales, exchanges, friends and private arrangements. Whatever the feelings of others are, the idea behind what we formed the Rumaniacs for, is, I believe, of worth, and so it will continue on this site.
This page links to all the rum reviews which are based on those samples. These reviews are very different from the others that I write – here, for the most part, I’m more precise, less verbose (fine, you can stop cheering now). As many historical notes and opinions will make their appearance as are appropriate, especially the former. Where a rum may have been previously looked at, it will be tasted anew as if for the first time, with no reference to any previously posted essays or reviews..
Note 1: Since these rums are not produced or sold or marketed by any member of the Collective or commercial producers, are no longer being made, are rarely for sale and often next to impossible to find, conflict of interest regarding free samples – and most which I cannot buy or afford are free – does not arise. For this series, the Free Samples Rule is relaxed. In any case, the purpose is not to make a case for or against the rums in the commercial sphere, or to recommend them (or not) for purchase, but to describe them and relate something of their heritage before all memory of their names and stories vanishes completely.
Note 2: “Out of production” is a term that creates unique issues with respect to independent bottlings, single cask rums or special years’ limited editions (e.g., millesimes). Technically, once a single cask is bottled (and this is usually by indies), it’ll never be made again, so they could justifiably be included here. However, since they mostly come from “living” distilleries – with exceptions, of course – for the most part they will be reviewed as regular rums. There will always be exceptions, however, and sometimes it’ll just be my own opinion that they deserve to be listed in this section – where this happens, there’ll be a note to that effect.
If you are writing as a resource, to “describe them and their heritage” why bother with an opinion or scoring at all?
Because someone will always and inevitably ask
Exciting stuff, Lance. Looking very much forward to experiencing this new, less verbose side of you. Although I for one do prefer the old, elaborate style 🙂
Cheers.
Both types of writing will continue, never fear 🙂