In Finland, the government requires all distilled alcohol sold to be laboratory tested, one test is to determine how much sugar was added, and that info is released to the public. Rum Revelations has a ‘Sugar List’ on their website that can helpful in figuring out how sweet certain rums are.

@gabrieldeoliveira8304

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the information.

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

Oh wow, thank you for that. That's such incredible information. I'll have to check it out

@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763

Ай бұрын

Thanks for mentioning this, because I was going to ask Lui about sugar content. My understanding is that many central American rums have sugar added, which I don't like. Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, and Guadalupe don't allow sugar to be added to any rum distilled locally.

@ennuigamer

Ай бұрын

I don't mind a touch of dosing as it can enhance flavors but when more than a scant amount is added, I start wondering about the quality of the distillate. I still prefer non-dosed rums overall though.

@numanuma20

Ай бұрын

@@Lui_FernPlantaray is very transparent about their rums. All info is on the website.

Doorly’s is a good brand for the price point. I believe they’re made at Foursquare distillery and it is about 1/3 the price. Also, some total wines carry Hamilton rum too. That new Breezeway Blend is amazing!

The Smith and Cross is amazing if you like funky Jamaican rum! Sometimes when I walk by it, I just uncork it and take a sniff! I love it!

Four Square in Barbados makes AMAZING rums. Highly recommend!!

I absolutely love your shopping videos, along with your other content. Keep it up! Thank you.

What? No mention of Flur de Cana? The 12 year is outstanding for sipping.

Captain Morgan is on the bottom shelf for a reason, but if you get down to it, rum has a ton of sugar in it. Run Haven is made with coconut water and can drink it on ice. One more thing, this is all a matter of opinion

I used to work at Total Wine. 80% of their customer base wants those items like Captain Morgan and Malibu because that’s all they know. They want what they want not knowing there is so many better products for not much more money. Unfortunately, Total Wine uses those brands as loss leaders making the prices so low that people aren’t willing to try anything else.

I wish I had Privateer in my town. Especially at that price. Absolutely wild. I would have purchased all the bottles right there and then.

Historians do claim that Rum was the quintessential American spirit, before there was Bourbon and Rye. Although Applejack is credited as being the first American spirit.

I think Captain and Malibu have their place... as mixers, where the rum is secondary. I also am different and think Bumbu Rhum is an amazing sipper, with great notes of vanilla and banana.

@mph7282

Ай бұрын

I love Bumbu for dessert. Yes, it’s flavored, but it’s like drinking a glass of bananas foster. And I disagree about Captain and Malibu, but mainly because I don’t mix with any booze I wouldn’t drink straight. I know that’s just me, but life is too short to drink cheap booze in any form. Just my dos centavos.

I have had a couple of the Four Square and they have been really good.

You have been spot on with all your tequila recommendations. I've been wanting to get into rums. So this video was very informative. I'm in California but i was fortunate to find a local retailer that is able to get Privateer. So hopefully within the next week or so I'll have a bottle of the New England Reserve. Really excited to try it out. Thanks again for the recommendations and keep up the great work.

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

Hope you enjoy it! I love what Privateer are doing.

Don Q is amazing. The anejo is beyond compare. I drink it in a brandy sniffer.

Privateer is what I use at home most of the time for white rum since it’s local. But Rum Fire and Smith and Cross get a ton of play at home. That Foursquare 2010 is great of you like heavy bourbon barrel influence on your rum. More of a sipperz

Foursquare is a must and I’d also recommend Ron del Barrilito 3 Stars or 5 Stars from PR. There is also an IB called Rolling Fork out of KY that sources really good rum.

Doorly's is a good rum at Total Wine. Don't let the Spirits Direct label turn you off (most of TW's whatever direct stuff isn't worth your money), Doorly's is made by Foursquare and is a good value for the price for Barbados rum, especially the 12 year, XO, and white rum. The 14 year, while a bit pricey, is also good. That and R.L. Seale's 12 year are good introductions to break into the (rather expensive) Foursquare Exceptional Cask Series of rums.

@ThomasLeo

Ай бұрын

Agreed, the 12 year is an excellent value. The 14, not as much given there's other offerings in the same price ranger that are better.

Been following your channel for a little and I appreciate how you promote additive free tequila, made easier by tequila matchmaker no doubt. There has been a lot of the same progress in rum to expose additive-added rum, those additives being mostly sugar by way of cooking for caramel color or just addition of sugar, or dosage. As a result, runs like el dorado have limited their usage of sugar in newer bottlings. Captain Jimbos Rum project forum details this in a list called the “Master Sugar List,” as does Rum Revelations hydrometer sugar list mentioned above. The fatrumpirate also has a hydrometer test list that’s a little outdated (2020) but illustrates this point. Abuelo has two tablespoons of added sugar! It’s a sugar bomb, reflecting your notes that it drank sweet. Probably compensating for a poorer product. Anything under 2 teaspoons (9g/L) is more or less “additive-free.” Good luck in your rum exploration! Im a big fan of you using Charanda in your drinks. Love that stuff. Tried using paranubes in a couple ways. I found that it is quite challenging 😂

Thank you for the great review and video. This is the first time I've seen you. I really enjoyed all the little mini reviews and then the in-depth one. I enjoy drinking all alcohols and really got into rum about 10 years ago. It's my favorite liquor now. I'm very disappointed plantation is giving into the woke crowd. I have their overproof rum and I love it. Foursquare is very worth it. El Dorado 12 year is my favorite rum overall. many people here have mentioned Flor de cana. I can say it's an okay rum but nothing I truly care for straight up sipping. It's fine to mix. You certainly pointed me to a few of the rums I've looked up and never purchased yet.

Rums are definetly my thing. It's the booze I have most experience of and enjoy the most. It was really fun watching this video. I see we have very many similarities in our rum preferences. I've gotten my hands on most of the ones you recommend over here (from Germany to my Finland). Btw, I think Plantation/Planteray generally uses a lot of sugars in their rums, but it is still one of my favorite brands. Their XO has so much sugar that it's just on the border of still being allowed to be called rum in the EU (and not a liqueuer).

Foursquare is excellent but if you want a very tasty affordable Rum I recommend Barcelo Anejo and Barcelo Imperial. It is from the Dominican Republic and delicious.

If you want a more complex flavor try Pusser's Gunpowder Proof. That one and Smith & Cross are my favorite rums.

Went to Cuba in 2017 for Christmas. Cuban Havana Rum Especial we brought home was so damn good. So wish we could find more, but alas, 90 miles from Florida (were we live) seems like a million.

I live in a major City and Total Wine has the best selection of Rums of any other store, including the local mega liquor stores. The selection gets better the closer to Christmas because I've been told that Rum is considered a "seasonal" product for most buyers, at least in my area. The Probitas (Veritas in the rest of the world - TM dispute in the US) is a collaboration between Hampden and Foursquare. It makes the best Daiquiri I've ever tasted.

Love your videos Lui! Definitely keep up the great reviews. Your review of Abuelos 12yr is exactly how I feel about a couple rums I used to like but retried recently and find way to cloyingly sweet and full of fake vanilla character. The latest one for me is Diplomatico. I used to like it but man, it’s a sugar and vanilla bomb. Anyone know if this rum has additives?

Was able to pick up a ron abuelo 12 yr coming back from DR just cause I couldn’t find this in the states. and on first pour. It’s so light that I can drink this thru the night straight neat. Sweet and savory and I hate to see it go when I finish it cause I can’t find no where but in DR

I got my beloved Rhum JM VSOP at Total Wine in Maryland last week.

I'm more a tequila and bourbon guy but my friends have shown me some really good offerings. Got a cheaper bottle of Doorly's as a gift that's solid and snagged the Clement VSOP that has nice pineapple notes.

Would’ve love to see you pick up some Brugal

I tried, this back when i we really into rum 20 years ago in Panama. This is one of the better rums from the country but nothing like Jamaican rums.

This was pretty much my opinion on Ron Abuelo 7. Perfectly fine, nothing to write home about, but sweet. Having purchased El Dorado 8 for about $12 left I gelt like that had a similar feel to it, but far superior in both depth of flavor and while still tastinf sweet apparently hydrometer tests indicate no added sugar.

Great video, you know your rums! I wish Total Wine started carrying Charanda

@PanchoKnivesForever

Ай бұрын

Same!

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

You and me both friend! And happy you enjoyed the video

Those Appleton Estate prices were really good.

Flor de caña out of Nicaragua is a great rum for the price aswell. The 7 year is enjoyable straight and I'll use the 4 year in cocktails or mixed drinks. The 12 year doesn't have much of a difference compared to the 7. So the 4 and 7 year tums offer great value.

Would love to hear you go more detail about Havana club I thought it was originally a Cuban rum

Try Flor de Cańa, Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario, Matusalem Gran Reserva 15 Year, and Brugal Extra Viejo. Cheers

Tell me you got that Foursquare Master Series Limited! So many people tried so hard to get their hands on that one!

@triktrak_1451

17 күн бұрын

I don't think this is a $130 rum channel.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Kirk & Sweeney, it is my favorite and available as reserves. , grand reservea and reservea Superior and are 12, 18, and 23 yr. Old. The Only liquor my girlfriend drinks on the rocks. Try it.

Have you tried Rum Barbancourt Reserve? If so what’s your Thought?

Would highly rank Flor de Caña Nicaraguan rum! 🥃. One of The Best!

"Is it terrible? No." Dude, that's hardly a ringing endorsement. :) I've sipped it before and found it too sweet for my palate

What's funny about rum is that the age statement on there is the "oldest" rum in the blend. It can have much younger barrels in it but they just have to disclose the oldest barrel and can place that on a label. Rum is so tasty but lack the transparency.

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

Yeah it's also hard to regulate because every single country on the planet makes rum. So it's not like there's one group of people that can be tasked with the transparency as that usually comes from laws or regulations

@allenpiazza1409

Ай бұрын

@@Lui_Fern Absolutely correct! Japanese whiskey is the same way, unfortunately. Thank you for all the videos and experiences! Because of you, I've been discovering what "real" tequila should taste like! :)

@uraniumrock8381

Ай бұрын

Jamaican rums have real ages.

Once again. On other honest and to the point video. Thank you Sir

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

Much appreciated

I wish there was a tequila matchmaker type app to use for rums to check for the additives

@stevematin6050

Ай бұрын

Rum has no rules for additives, aging, or locale. Most rums, especially young blended rums, have added sugar. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and certainly doesn't make an inferior product. It's just something to be aware of.

@ACask-jl4tf

Ай бұрын

Good to know, thank you. But I feel like if I am buying a product I want to know if I’m buying something with added sugar just to make something taste better. I feel like the real craft is to make something taste good without having to alter it.

I was waiting in the Hamilton Rums 😢

Has any ever went to one of their wine tasting events

Do you like beer? Do you have any recommendations?

Yes, Plantaray is the new name of Plantation, it was time. The coconut rum just came to the US and I want to find it. El Dorado is a Demerara rum which comes from Guyana. The reason it is called Demerara rum is because it is distilled by the Demerara river by DDL.

@adamparker5467

Ай бұрын

I appreciate the name change. I snuck a bit of Plantation into a concert with a friend of mine. She asked who made the rum and I told her. She said “you did NOT bring something called Plantation to an Erykah Badu show” while I sheepishly laughed and tried to shrink into myself 😂😂😅

@brada1997

Ай бұрын

It was time? Erasing history is never good. The sugarcane comes from a plantation, an old term for farm. There's nothing wrong with that. You're adding the negative connotation. And el Dorado is my favorite rum I've found. I haven't visited yet but will one day. Thanks for the info.

Thoughts on Sailor Jerry's? I will admit it is my go to for a rum and coke.

@uraniumrock8381

Ай бұрын

You should drink what you like, but rum aficionados find Sailor Jerry's gross.

@fivefurlife

Ай бұрын

Oh totally agree in terms of sitting down and enjoying rum on its own. It just happens to mix well with coke for me. Hahahaha, but there is no way I am sipping on it.

@uraniumrock8381

Ай бұрын

@fivefurlife I don't like sweet rums with coke; it's just sweet ontop of sweet. I like either Don Q 7 or Bacardi 8 with coke. What I do is cut a lime into quarters and then put one or two quarters in a glass. Then I pour 1.5 to 2 oz rum on top of that. Then I mash the limes really good with the back of a barpoon. Then a couple cubes of ice, then fill with coke. Stir with a barspoon. It has a really good lime bite.

@fivefurlife

Ай бұрын

I can totally see that. I am not a big sweet on sweet either. Not sure why I am so fond of it though with that rum.. BUT Fantastic idea with your recipe and rec! Thanks bud! I am totally going to try this.

Don't pass the Foursquares, at least get a Doorlys 14 please.

Barrilito 3-star Puerto Rican rum

I knew a guy who would drink only Malibu and Evan Williams….. he still lives with his mom at 40

Instead of Malibu, what 🥥 rum would you recommend? I love the coconutty aspect so please suggest something you think is worth purchasing ❤

@ericepperson8409

Ай бұрын

Planteray (formerly known as Plantation -they are still changing over the bottles now) makes a good coconut rum. I hear Koloa is pretty good too. I've made decent coconut rum with unfiltered coconut oil and chips infused in a sous-vide bath for a few hours. Freeze the mix over night and strain it out. But YMMV.

@ssds86

Ай бұрын

@@ericepperson8409 interesting technique, but adding direct 🥥 oil to rum wouldn’t that impart some of the greasy aspect to the booze, how does it go down?

@ericepperson8409

Ай бұрын

@@ssds86 When you freeze the mix, all the oil solidifies and can be easily strained out. It's called fat washing. Horrible name, great result. You can do similar with Bacon grease in Bourbon/Whiskey/Dark Rum.

What do you think of Bacardi white rum for the price ?

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

I'd go with other options before theirs

@brada1997

Ай бұрын

Like Lui said there's a lot of others I would pick. I think Bacardi is absolute trash

Omg you didn’t mention Dominican rum one of the BEST 😢 THATS CRAZY

I actually prefer Dooley's 12 year old rum. It's made in Barbados.

Gonna be honest, I grabbed a bottle of the Privateer white rum a few weeks back and it was extremely disappointing. Thin, super strong ethanol note on both the taste and smell, and generally just not much other flavors behind it besides a faint vanilla. Brought it to the bar I work at and both bartenders agreed. Might give them a second chance at some point as I could've just gotten a bad bottle, but for now I'd rather stick with El Dorado 3 year, Real McCoy 3, or even Plantation.

In 2019, Europe made a new law regarding rum, it states. Rum may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 20 grams of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar. This ment a lot of previously rum, could no longer call themselves rum, now they are rum liqueur. A fun thing, probitas is called veritas in europe, same label but just different name. I think they could not use the original name in one of the region.

@ericepperson8409

Ай бұрын

It's only in the US they can't use the name. There is a software company that owns the Trademark.

@loriander2

Ай бұрын

@@ericepperson8409 I did not know that, only knew they where the same bottle with two different names. Ty for that little bit of info.

How about gosling 151

Guyana is in South America?

@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763

Ай бұрын

Yes

@ericepperson8409

Ай бұрын

Right between Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. Currently the president of Venezuela is threatening to invade and take over half the country to distract from their own problems.

Have you had Paranubes Mexican rum?

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

I have. I love it.

@orlybriceno

Ай бұрын

@@Lui_Fern I love its vegetal funkyness I guess is more like a rhum agricole right?, sadly is not available where I live

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

@@orlybriceno It's very similar to a rum agricole And that's a shame. It's such a good bottle

If a spirit review mentions the word "smooth", you are asking for the master distiller to put a contract out.

@triktrak_1451

17 күн бұрын

For this channel it's probably standard fare.

You know, I've heard good things about Rum Fire, and I know what's IN the bottle is what's important, but as a graphic designer I just CAN'T with that label design. It's so bad!

@brada1997

Ай бұрын

I had never seen that bottle before and thought the same thing. It just screams bro

You passed on both the Foursquares…… 😢

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

I ain't got that kind of money lol

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

But I definitely need to get my hands on some.

If you want real Puerto Rican rum try Don Q, cheap and great, don’t waste your money on Bacardi. 😅

Wait, are you sponsored by Total Wine?

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

No it's just the only chain near me where most of my followers have access to it. No point in me showing people local stores if they can't access them.

I’m surprised with your rum picks with many having tons of sugar and additives, like diplomatico and plantation given your love for additive free tequila.

Like Tequila, avoid rums that have a ton of additives! Plantation has a ton of sugar usually for example.

Agree with you on a lot. Rum Fire, Oh yeah. Eclipse is good stuff in all its forms, Appleton too and for Guyana El Dorado will do along with Lemon Hart and Pussers.. Smith and Cross, for the price fantastic Jamaican. Privateer great as well. Diplamatico though, lots of added sugar, tainting it like the spiced rums. Same can be said for Plantation, and Plantation is no good to me anyhow as any brand the succumbs to the woke crowd BS is dead to me. The Real McCoy 3, 5 and 12 are good everyday workhorses. Believe it or not Cruzan and Bacardi (especially their aged product like Ocho) are no slouches. Love what you said about Puerto Rican Havana Club, now there's a story. If you have a chance, Three of Strong Spirits out of Maine has some interesting Rum to try, including some Agricole styles, like their Acadian.

as a total wine employee, this video seems fake. he should have been approached like 30 times to make sure he had the app downloaded.

@Lui_Fern

Ай бұрын

LMAOOO I run from the total wine employees like we're playing hide and seek.

@PanchoKnivesForever

Ай бұрын

Hahahaha this was so funny!!! 😂