There are plenty of great rums out there. But we recently had the opportunity to a review a new rum made in England: Old Salt Rum.
So how does this British spirit stand up to the established brands from the more traditional Caribbean rum producing nations? Check out our Old Salt Rum review to find out!
English rum??
Yup. We do love our spirits here in the UK, and we’re happy to try our hand at making them too. And so the English Spirit Distillery, who already made a big variety of drinks including gin, vodka, sambuca (!) and limoncello (sort of), have turned their hand to rum.
Based in Cornwall, they obviously know their spirits. Now, I have never tried any of their other drinks, and this is not a paid review, totally my own opinion. But I do enjoy a decent rum, with my default being the Havana Club especial or an Appletons.
Old Salt rum is made from black strap molasses, not cane sugar. Being richer and denser, molasses has a more complex flavour profile than standard sugar cane.
So how does this translate to a spirit? And how does Old Salt Rum stack up against some bigger names in the rum lineup?
Tasting notes: Old Salt Rum
First off, the colour is a lovely light treacle sort of tone. You’re already getting notes of sugar cane toffee on the nose, and yes the scent is mostly very sweet.
On the tongue it goes down incredibly smoothly, with very little burn, for me at least. Those sweet notes are evident from the first sip, and vanilla toffee is probably the first thing that springs to mind. Giving it a moment on the palate allows the flavours to really zing, and I found that there were floral hints – maybe honeysuckle- and a very subtle pepperiness.
Overall this is probably one of the smoothest rums I’ve had for a while, with that sweet profile making it go down easily. It might not be the most complex rum on the market, but putting it simply, it is delicious.
If you like a smooth rum that tastes of vanilla and will make a mean cocktail, you’re in for a treat.
Before making this review I made a simple daiquiri, and an espresso martini, to see how it shone through.
The espresso martini in particular was pretty dazzling. The sweet notes compliment the coffee perfectly (even though I’m a black espresso man myself – no sugar thanks) and make a particularly smooth drink.
The daiquiri too was a very pleasant drink, with the lime and ice mix tempering the sweetness slightly. Of the two I think I preferred the daiquiri but would happily quaff more of both. In fact, if I spot Old Salt Rum in a bar anytime soon, I will definitely be asking for a daiquiri.
It also feels like Old Salt Rum would make a really good caiprinha or a sort of rum based Moscow Mule (ginger ale, lime and usually vodka).
I’m not one to drink a spirit with coca cola (way to ruin a good drink if you ask me), but I feel like this would mix perfectly with coke or ginger ale.
Check out our list of cocktails you should know how to make.
The bottom line
If you like rum then I think a bottle of Old Salt Rum in your drinks cabinet will be a good addition. It’s the sort of rum that could make a great summer cocktail – but I’m writing this mid-winter so will need to come back to that.
If you’re looking for a rum that is smooth, sweet and a bit more complex than your off the shelf supermarket fare, I strongly recommend reviewing Old Salt rum yourself.
It is a little more expensive than similar rums such as Brugal Anejo, or a Havana Club 7 year old, for example. But I think this is more than made up for both in the taste and by supporting a local business (assuming you’re UK based).
Yes, English rum is delicious. Go buy a bottle!
You can pick up Old Salt Rum at EnglishSpirit.co.uk, or check out your local independent wine shop.
Our rating 4/5
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