What's the "Expert's Corner"? This is where the commercial and faux commercial wannabees end up. These are just ordinary putzes who just happen to possess ego and time enough to put up a "rum website". They are almost never - well, never actually - qualified as real authorities. What they're really after is to gain attention, to get lots of freebies and/or to promote their rum business. In time, a bunch of monkeys come to regard this webmasterbater as an "expert", and here's the key - this individual now feels obligated to act the part.
They have painted themselves into the "Expert's Corner".
This week it's Lance of Liquorature who like the Frozen Wonder, feels obligated to troll for attention at the epicenter of faux authority - The Shillery of Rum. In a recent post, a poor unknowing simian asks the "experts"...
Hmmm. Something milder and light? Lance (with 100 rum reviews under his tightening belt) has just the ticket for this hapless newbie...Empty Vessel: "I mix but I'd like to try sipping... (Can you recommend) something milder and light... (don't like) black rum."
Let's consider these. Juan Santos - the 5 might qualify and maybe just maybe the 9, but certainly not the 12 (heavy). The "Doorly's XO" is a marginal choice, but most of what "R.L. Seale" or "Mount Gay" sell are highly variable, with the Seales 10 Year, Mount Gay Black or Extra Old being for advanced tasters only. As far as "any solera", that covers way too much ground, and his claim that soleras "tend to sweetness" is, well, bullshit. Even the distillers who claim "solera" don't know what it means. And "Chairman's Reserve" ? That my friends would be our very last possible choice to inflict on a new taster...Lance: " (I'd suggest)...
- Juan Santos 5,9 or 12 year old
- Doorly's XO, maybe RL Seale or Mount Gay, all from Barbados
- Most Agricole rums from Guadeloupe and Martinique like Clemente or Karukera
-Any solera, though these tend to sweetness
- St. Lucia Distillers Chairman's Reserve or Admiral Rodney
- Santa Teresa 1796"
"Admiral Rodney"?? This a heavier, 12 year rum that features deep fruits, creme brulee and dark fruits like prunes and raisins. It's in the El Dorado camp, and would hardly be considered light; rRather it's a cigar rum. The same can be said of the "Santa Teresa 1796" - a very serious rum like Mount Gay Extra Old. Not for beginners, not inexpensive and actually not easy to find.
Sue Sea: "Slight less intense at the initial palate but no real differences. I call this rum flat and choppy. The aroma (wonderful) and palate (hot, dry and astringent) might as well have been from two different rums. No balance or harmony, no development, no memorable finish.
Flat and shockingly disappointing. This is NOT a rum to offer to a new drinker you hope to convert. In fact, it is not a rum for those looking for a good sipper (not that any rum can't become an acquired taste). It simply isn't there."
All of which contradicts our paint covered "expert", Lance. Worse yet, this poor soul will actually part with his money for what are mostly inappropriate (not mild and light), undefined (which of the "Seale" or "Mount Gay rums?), or just plain wrong (soleras "tend to sweetness). Only Doorly's XO comes close to a decent recommendation.
What would we recommend?
1. Santa Teresa Anejo (Cuban)
3. Ron Matusalem 15 (Cuban)
4. Ron Medellin 8 Anos (Demeraran)
5. Doorly's 5 year (possibly the XO, Barbadian)
6. Barbancourt White (Cane juice)
This is far from the utlimate list, but as a quick response it meets the criterion of light and easy to drink, while still illustrating some of the styles, an important part of learning for any beginner.
What would you recommend?
