 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Country: Barbados
Aged: 12 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Very Limited
Price: $25-$35
Rating:
The Review:
The very first thing you notice about Cockspur 12 year aged rum
is that it looks EXACTLY what a 12 year old rum should look
like.
Cockspur 12 comes in an understated and squat bottle, with rounded shoulders and bubbled
neck, complimenting one of the finest honey-amber hues I have
ever seen in a dark rum. All together it adds up to a
really appealing presentation.Unfortunately,
the distiller trended back to this side of modern by choosing to
seal this masterpiece with a plastic "cork". I
agree that plastic corks are much more efficient at providing
much better and reliable seal than a natural cork does, but that
does not mean it feels the same. At the end of the day,
there is something ancient and simple about the squeak of a
natural cork that helps to add to the pending rum experience.
Luckily, this rum moves quickly to redeem itself.
Once poured, the color becomes more of a
golden copper. Molasses, butterscotch, and bourbon whiskey
dominate the nose. Aeration releases vanilla and oak along with
an undertone of stone fruit. A very inviting and subtly complex
bouquet follows, featuring flavors of vanilla, caramel, brandy, and oak.
At first sip, Cockspur 12 has a strong bite that seems to be sourced equally between
alcohol and spices (nutmeg, allspice). Don't judge me, but
there's also a honeyed,
earthy aftertaste with a soft backdrop of what I can only
identify as buttery marshmallow.Full bodied and intense yet it
does smooth out slightly with time, particularly when a few
drops of water are introduced and a couple of choice ice cubes
are allowed to mingle. Even on the rocks, it's warm with a long,
dry finish.
I find it somewhat similar in
aroma, flavor, and bite to another aged Bajan rum:
Doorly's XO. Be warned, however, this rum is not for the weak!
It can
quickly go straight to ones head...In short, Cockspur 12 is a fine sipping rum that, despite some
initial harshness, is a pleasure to enjoy slowly.
Unfortunately,
the distiller trended back to this side of modern by choosing to
seal this masterpiece with a plastic "cork". I
agree that plastic corks are much more efficient at providing
much better and reliable seal than a natural cork does, but that
does not mean it feels the same. At the end of the day,
there is something ancient and simple about the squeak of a
natural cork that helps to add to the pending rum experience.
Luckily, this rum moves quickly to redeem itself.
Once poured, the color becomes more of a
golden copper. Molasses, butterscotch, and bourbon whiskey
dominate the nose. Aeration releases vanilla and oak along with
an undertone of stone fruit. A very inviting and subtly complex
bouquet follows, featuring flavors of vanilla, caramel, brandy, and oak.
At first sip, Cockspur 12 has a strong bite that seems to be sourced equally between
alcohol and spices (nutmeg, allspice). Don't judge me, but
there's also a honeyed,
earthy aftertaste with a soft backdrop of what I can only
identify as buttery marshmallow.Full bodied and intense yet it
does smooth out slightly with time, particularly when a few
drops of water are introduced and a couple of choice ice cubes
are allowed to mingle. Even on the rocks, it's warm with a long,
dry finish.
I find it somewhat similar in
aroma, flavor, and bite to another aged Bajan rum:
Doorly's XO. Be warned, however, this rum is not for the weak!
It can
quickly go straight to ones head...In short, Cockspur 12 is a fine sipping rum that, despite some
initial harshness, is a pleasure to enjoy slowly.
At first sip, Cockspur 12 has a strong bite that seems to be sourced equally between
alcohol and spices (nutmeg, allspice). Don't judge me, but
there's also a honeyed,
earthy aftertaste with a soft backdrop of what I can only
identify as buttery marshmallow.Full bodied and intense yet it
does smooth out slightly with time, particularly when a few
drops of water are introduced and a couple of choice ice cubes
are allowed to mingle. Even on the rocks, it's warm with a long,
dry finish.
I find it somewhat similar in
aroma, flavor, and bite to another aged Bajan rum:
Doorly's XO. Be warned, however, this rum is not for the weak!
It can
quickly go straight to ones head...In short, Cockspur 12 is a fine sipping rum that, despite some
initial harshness, is a pleasure to enjoy slowly.
I find it somewhat similar in
aroma, flavor, and bite to another aged Bajan rum:
Doorly's XO. Be warned, however, this rum is not for the weak!
It can
quickly go straight to ones head...In short, Cockspur 12 is a fine sipping rum that, despite some
initial harshness, is a pleasure to enjoy slowly.
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |