Dark and Stormy Rum Cocktail with Lime and Ginger Beer
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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has announced the results of its 2025 Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition (WSTC). Three rums made the final round. The Best in Show Overall Rum, Botran 8 Reserva Clásica Rum, automatically advances to the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This globally recognized event further validates the exceptional quality of the winning rum. Below is a brief description of the three finalists, tasting notes on the rums, and their list price.
Botran 8 Riserva Classica Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $24
Botran 8 Riserva Classica Rum was the Best of Show Extra Aged Rum and Best of Show Overall Rum. The rum is produced in Guatemala by the Botran family. Their rum-making history dates back to 1939. The Botran rum distillery is in Guatemala’s Highlands, where the altitude and climate shape the rum’s unique character.
The Botran 8 Riserva Classica is aged 8 years using the Solera method. It involves blending rums of different ages and then aging them further in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. This method gives the rum a distinctive complexity, with rich flavors of caramel, spice, and fruit.
The nose is rich and aromatic, showcasing dark caramel and vanilla aromas, followed by dried fruit hints of raisins and figs. There’s a gentle spice background, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, along with a touch of oak and sherry.
The rum is smooth and flavorful on the palate, featuring rich, layered flavors of dark chocolate, molasses, and caramelized sugar. The complexity of the Solera aging process brings out ripe fruit flavors, such as plum and dried apricot, along with a subtle spicy warmth from the oak barrel-aging.
The finish is long with a layered complexity and lingering notes of caramel, spice, and a slight oak presence that leaves a smooth, refined aftertaste.
Cuban style rum and cigar
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Funk Harbor No. 1 Rum, 44% ABV, 750 ml. $60
Funk Harbor No. 1 Rum was the top-rated Dark/Gold rum. It’s produced by Funk Harbor Distilling, a relatively new Jamaican craft distillery focusing on small-batch rums with a modern twist on traditional recipes. The distillery prides itself on creating high-quality rum using locally sourced ingredients and incorporating unique aging processes.
The nose is aromatic and complex, with rich caramel and toffee aromas. There’s a subtle note of vanilla, accompanied by a slight hint of cinnamon and nutmeg spice. A faint, underlying note of seasoned oak adds depth and character to the aroma.
The rum is smooth and balanced on the palate, with sweet brown sugar and molasses notes. The butterscotch and vanilla flavors are complemented by hints of seasoned oak, spices, and a slight smokiness, providing a well-rounded, full-bodied experience.
The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla, and a slight touch of spice.
Red Eye Louie’s Immoral Spiced Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $20
Red Eye Louie’s Immoral Spiced Rum was the Best in Show Flavored Rum. This distillery focuses on producing high-quality spirits with bold, distinct flavors. It uses a blend of aged rum and a variety of natural spices to create a rum with a flavorful and complex profile.
The Immoral Spiced Rum is known for its rich flavor and ability to balance the sweetness of rum with a complex blend of spices. It’s designed for those who enjoy a bold, spiced rum experience, whether sipped neat, on the rocks or used in cocktails like the classic Rum Punch or Dark and Stormy.
The nose features a complex spice bouquet of cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla wrapped around a sweet, molasses-like richness. There’s a slight fruitiness from dried cherries and orange peel, giving it an inviting and aromatic complexity.
The rum is bold and flavorful on the palate, with layers of spice from cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, complemented by the sweetness of brown sugar and caramel. The rum has a smooth texture with hints of vanilla and a slight undertone of dark fruit, creating a profile balanced between sweet and spicy.
The finish is long and spicy, with lingering cinnamon and clove notes. The sweetness of brown sugar and vanilla creates a smooth, satisfying spicy aftertaste.
Cuba Libre with brown rum, cola, mint and lime.
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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is a leading trade organization representing wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers of wine, spirits, and related products. The WSWA plays a crucial role in the industry, advocating for responsible consumption, promoting fair trade practices, and organizing events like the Annual Wine and Spirits Competition to recognize the best wines and spirits.
The 2025 competition, in conjunction with the Tasting Alliance (TA), showcased innovative and high-quality products. The panel of expert judges, supplied by TA, including sommeliers, mixologists, journalists, and industry professionals, brought their extensive knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring the credibility of the awards. Their expertise guarantees the quality of the products and can significantly boost brand visibility and influence consumer choices.
These rums showcase different aspects of the rum category, from the smooth complexity of Botran’s Riserva Classica to the bold spiced profile of Red Eye Louie’s Immoral Spiced Rum. Whether you’re looking for a sipping rum with layers of aging and barrel influences or a spiced rum perfect for cocktails, these selections offer a unique and enjoyable experience.
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Publish date : 2025-02-12 22:15:00
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