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Liquor Acquisitions 2023, 2024, 2025

CigarStone said:
Brandon, have you tried Early Times Bottled in Bond? It's $25 for a full liter and in my opinion, it is close to some of the high end stuff.
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Yes and honestly, didn't like it. From what I've ready (not experienced) the bottles pre-Sazerac were much better. Again, just what I've read. I'm not opposed to high $$$ bottles, but it's always nice to find a solid bottle for a decent price.


Has anyone/does anyone have a review/opinion on James E Pepper barrel proof?
 
Went to a "blind" whiskey tasting last night and along with everyone else, I was commenting how I didn't have a chance in hell to win the contest. Well, whatever, I won.

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PS - scoring was based on five categories - type, abv, cost, and exact whiskey from a list of ten. I was just extremely lucky on a couple (all) guesses, but that's how the cookie crumbles.
 
JoeMO said:
Went to a "blind" whiskey tasting last night and along with everyone else, I was commenting how I didn't have a chance in hell to win the contest. Well, whatever, I won.



PS - scoring was based on five categories - type, abv, cost, and exact whiskey from a list of ten. I was just extremely lucky on a couple (all) guesses, but that's how the cookie crumbles.
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Nice job Joe.. Didn't happen without pictures...
 
JoeMO said:
I posted from my laptop, then added picture from my phone is less than 2 minutes, but little Ms. Karen was already going on about posting a picture.
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Someone needs to keep you on the straight and narrow
 
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Rum ratings didn't give it much love, but it is actually quite delicious.
Trying to find funkier rums that use muck and dunder in the still, not sure if this one does, but it has flavors I'm not used to tasting in my "go to" Zafra rums.
 
Scap said:
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Rum ratings didn't give it much love, but it is actually quite delicious.
Trying to find funkier rums that use muck and dunder in the still, not sure if this one does, but it has flavors I'm not used to tasting in my "go to" Zafra rums.
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Last fall we did a southern Caribbean cruise. I have a much deeper appreciation for the rums - especially small batch - after that trip. What sucked was most of what we tasted was only locally sourced - meaning there was no way in hell I was going to be able to follow up on another bottle at my local liquor stores. Such a shame!

I am curious about what blend in is that rum. I found it interesting how each of the Caribbean islands seems to have a specific pride in how they make rum which differentiates them from the other islands. Like the rum I posted a picture of, I thought it was an amazing blend of some very good rums sourced in various locations throughout the Caribbean. I assume your blend is similar. I'm not really sure if the location makes much of a difference (seems like each location was very similar in terroir and climate), but most certainly the process varies from distillery to distillery.
 
Scap said:
Trying to find funkier rums that use muck and dunder in the still, not sure if this one does, but it has flavors I'm not used to tasting in my "go to" Zafra rums.
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There are few funky Jamaican rums that are currently available in the US.

Hampden Rum Fire Overproof
Worthy Park Overproof
Wrey & Nephew Overproof
Hampden HLCF Classic
Two James Dr Bird
Papalin Jamaica High Ester 5yr
Hampton Great House 2024 (pricey)

Rum Fire, Worthy Park, and Wrey & Nephew are all unaged.overproofs (63% ABV) packed with flavor. The HLCF Classic is aged Rum Fire, but lower proof. Dr. Bird is finished in a Moscatel cask; its kind of weird, but in a good way. Both the Papalin and the Hampden Great House are blends of different Jamaican rums some of which are high ester (funky).

The 3 Hampdens, and some of the rums in the Papalin blend are the only ones that use both dunder and muck in the fermentation. Rum Fire probably is the most funky from the list above, and it’s a bargain ($25-30).

They are all great rums. If you like unaged spirits, I'd go with Rum Fire to see what see what funk is about, otherwise I'd probably go for either the Papalin or Hampden HLCF.
 
lherzolite said:
There are few funky Jamaican rums that are currently available in the US.

Hampden Rum Fire Overproof
Worthy Park Overproof
Wrey & Nephew Overproof
Hampden HLCF Classic
Two James Dr Bird
Papalin Jamaica High Ester 5yr
Hampton Great House 2024 (pricey)

Rum Fire, Worthy Park, and Wrey & Nephew are all unaged.overproofs (63% ABV) packed with flavor. The HLCF Classic is aged Rum Fire, but lower proof. Dr. Bird is finished in a Moscatel cask; its kind of weird, but in a good way. Both the Papalin and the Hampden Great House are blends of different Jamaican rums some of which are high ester (funky).

The 3 Hampdens, and some of the rums in the Papalin blend are the only ones that use both dunder and muck in the fermentation. Rum Fire probably is the most funky from the list above, and it’s a bargain ($25-30).

They are all great rums. If you like unaged spirits, I'd go with Rum Fire to see what see what funk is about, otherwise I'd probably go for either the Papalin or Hampden HLCF.
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Thank you!!
This is immensely helpful.
 
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