Dear Santa Dept: Observations at Total Wine by Moi

[Capn Jimbo]

Just got back from a less frequent run to Total Wine...


Despite all of the promoters' and wannebee's excited exhortations to the effect that rum has made yet another leap into growing stardom and resurgence, it just ain't so Joe. This should be abundantly evident by the fact that the Big Three really do dominate the shelves. There are so few new products in evidence that - compared to whisky - it's really quite embarassing.

Here's what I found:

1. Rum Dzama from Madagascar in a White and Gold (both at $24) and also in a "Prestige" White and Gold at $40 and $45 respectively. Apparently the latest notion is that if a rum comes from the Pacific it must be fackin awesome and worth these inflated but untested prices. Will you pay them?

2. Matusalem Gran Reserva 15. At $30 this is barely comprehensible, especially that we now know this rum is fudged with prune and vanilla extract, thanks to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The 18, which probably is less than 6 months older in average age (est 8 years) is a ripoff and should be avoided in clear favor of the 15.

3. Ron Viejo de Caldas 3 Year: Was, is and remains one of the best buys... ever! This is a cane juice rum that the promoters still insist is made from molasses. Buy it. now, at just $18.

4, Smith & Cross: at $33 this is a great, great high ester Jamaican rum that is worth every penny. Don't miss it.

5. Sammy's Beach Bum White Rum: at $26 this is absolutely worth a try, particularly in that it is an authentic cane juice rum that seems to be made with care in small batches, and sans additives.

6. Santa Teresa Anejo: Friends, this is one of the most dangerous easy drinking rums that can hold its own, dram for dram, even against Matusalem. At $18 buy one, better two 'cause the first bottle won't last long. Be sure to have a designated driver present. It's also a fine gift that will appeal to even noobs.

7. Blackwell's Black Gold: a name rum arranged by Chris Blackwell of Island Records (bad) but made, aged and blended by Wray & Nephews (good). Since W&N was rated 5-stars and called the best overproof in the world by Dave Broom (which is completely true) it's a good bet this aged W&N produced blend is worth buying and trying, especially at $26.

8. Papa's Pilar: C'mon now, at $44 and with a limited portfolio and reviews, this very well marketed but very new rum will not be on my list.

9. Plantation Rums: all being sold for around $37, and whose reputation is primarily monkey based, which simians actually collect the stuff. Not terribly authentic, earn only a brief dunk in very tired sherry barrels to make a marketing point. Overseas those who know real and unadulterated rum are not impressed. Fuggedaboudit.

10. Bacardi Heritage Edition: Let's be honest, most of the Bacardi line isn't worth a sniff, but their 8 year and especially their special editions are different. Still I'm not about to part with $100 plus with any rum (1703 excepted), but at 89 proof and at $19 this is a no-brainer. Worth a try.

11. Mount Gay Black (not Black Barrel): I said it before and I'll say it again. This excellent rum was discontinued in favor of the deballed Black Barrel. At 100 proof, a full liter and for the amazing price of just $25 this may one of the best bargains on the list. Buy several as you'll not likely see it again. Don't fack it up!

12. Rhum Dillon Blanc: another full liter of quite credible Martiniquean cane juice rum for $34? No, I mean just $24, er what's wrong here? It's - are you sitting? - just $14! If you're interested in cane juice, can't afford the usual AOC's, even St. James, this is your chance. It's fine. Don't let the monkey chatter intimidate you. Buy one!

13. Tanduay Silver or Gold: both a dear $23 for rums from huge company who actually assembles rum from tankers of alcohol, sugar and flavorings including unusual coloring (pink, anyone?). You couldn't pay me to try either of these. Still there is so much renewed marketing moose droppings about these that I was tempted to try one just to prove I'm right again, lol...


So what to do? And what DID I buy?

Retirement is a strange thing. You go from big bucks to a rather minimal income. Where before I'd be traipsing home with three of four of these, now we only pick one. And not very often.

Would anyone care to guess which one we chose?
We won't vote until later...

[Hassouni]

Blackwell ain't all that. This rum bar here uses in it a lot of stuff, and for the same money, Smith and Cross beats it silly.

Dillon is probably the best bargain of the lot, at my TW, it's more like $11 or 12 - The next available litre of agricole blanc is closer to $30.




*******
Capn's Log: Hass, what full liter blanc did you find at $30?

[bearmark]

I already cast my vote for Ron Viejo de Caldas ($13 here), but Sammy's Beach Bar Rum (at $20 here) is a close second. I found 4 bottles of Mount Gay Eclipse Black for $11 each and snatched them up a while back. I also handed out 4 more bottles to family and friends.

[Hassouni]

Jimbo, many shops here have the usual Frenchy suspects for $30 or so per litre for the agricole blanc. Neisson, La Favorite, Duquesne, etc. However, I'd much rather pay $12 and get Dillon, which is as funky and fiery as I want an agricole blanc to be!

[NCyankee]

I already cast my vote for Ron Viejo de Caldas ($13 here), but Sammy's Beach Bar Rum (at $20 here) is a close second. I found 4 bottles of Mount Gay Eclipse Black for $11 each and snatched them up a while back. I also handed out 4 more bottles to family and friends.

Wow that's an amazing price on the Mt Gay Black, and to think I was happy when I snagged 4 bottles online for around $16 each. But I can get the Ron Viejo 8 yr for $10, which also makes me