SPICED RUMS

Spiced Rum, sometimes referred to as Aromatic Rums, are gold rums with added spices and tropical flavorings, though many cheaper brands are made from inexpensive white rums and darkened with artificial caramel coloring.

Captain Morgan Spiced

Category: Spiced
Country: Puerto Rico
Aged: 1 year
Alcohol: 35% (70 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $12-$16 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 3
Aroma (0-25): 17
Taste (0-35): 24
Smoothness (0-10): 6
Body (0-5): 3
Overall Quality (0-20): 14
Machete Rating (0-100): 67

Notes: Me and the Cap go waaaay back. And I'm hardly the only one who's had the swashbuckling bootlegger as a homeboy for years (though the real CM wasn't such a nice guy). Captain Morgan Spiced is a staple in many bars and homes across the country world, as it's a versatile, affordable, and easily available option. The simple gold liquid releases a strong, traditional aroma of vanilla and general spice - mostly lots and lots of vanilla. On the tongue, notes of vanilla extract, cinnamon, faint nutmeg, and alcohol. It's moderately harsh going down with a bit of lingering alcohol aftertaste. Neat or on the rocks is not horrible, but not recommended. After all, this is not a sipping rum; Captain Morgan Spiced is a bonafide mixing rum. Like most spiced rums, it simply mellows out and even shines paired with sodas, juices, creams, hot drinks, and frozen drinks - as I said at the start: versatile. I prefer the darker, sweeter Tattoo and of course the more robust Private Stock. But when I'm at a bar with a limited selection, I can always call on some Captain & Coke and everything will be irie. I usually have a bottle of one or the other Cap on stand-by at home.

Reviewed: May 2007

Three Palms Spiced

Category: Spiced
Country: Barbados
Aged: Unknown
Alcohol: 35% (70 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $8 -$10 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 2
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 17
Smoothness (0-10): 6
Body (0-5): 1
Overall Quality (0-20): 11
Machete Rating (0-100): 53

Notes: I went into this bottle with zero expectations of quality. Its shelf placement and price were my tipoffs that this wasn't going to make me hear singing angels. Well, I was surprised... Although it has an overall dominant aroma and taste of slightly artificial vanilla and wood, it's actually quite mellow and satisfying when mixed with coke. On the rocks, it's pretty harsh and definitely not recommended. But at under a 10 spot, don't be embarrassed to grab this bottle as it's perfectly suitable for cheap mixed drinks at barbecues or the beach. Just don't make a habit of it. I think it's better served in food than in cocktails: I smash it into sweet potatoes with brown sugar for a tasty side dish.

Reviewed: May 2007

Captain Morgan Tattoo

Category: Spiced
Country: Puerto Rico
Aged: Unknown, likely 1 year
Alcohol: 35% (70 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $14-$18 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 3
Aroma (0-25): 18
Taste (0-35): 26
Smoothness (0-10): 7
Body (0-5): 2
Overall Quality (0-20): 13
Machete Rating (0-100): 69

Notes: Immediately when the bottle is opened and Tattoo is poured, there is a noticable aroma of citrus, vanilla, and cherry. The liquid itself has a dark caramel color with a golden glow. There is a faint taste of general allspice with some warmth but little actual burn in the finish. Mixing is why it was created but it's not necessary as it's pretty good just on ice. A splash of coke, Dr. Pepper, or orange juice with a squeeze of lime (and/or lemon) makes a nice, easy-drinking cocktail. Or replace this in drinks where you use the Captain's original spiced rum for a different twist. This rum may not cater to all tastes - there are surely rum traditionalists who will consider this too much of a departure (and I'm honestly somewhat surprised I'm not one of them) - but those who enjoy infused rums will particularly appreciate the flavor and smoothness of Tattoo. I enjoy it, and always try to keep a bottle handy.

Reviewed: March 2007