Stolen Overproof Rum 6yo (61.5%): Another random sample pick from the growing mess of vial bottles slowly but surely taking over my desk... This one is a six year old pot still distilled rum sourced from Hampden Distillery in Jamaica and bottled by Stolen an independent bottling company based in Auckland, New Zealand. Let's get right into it...
Color: Light bronze with a green hue... Very slow moving thick and oily legs.
Nose: Wow... Did somebody say funk..? Wild mushroom stew simmering on the stove, decaying plantains and dried chili mango slices. Mole sauce, red pepper flakes and brand new car tires. Unsalted butter and bunsenbrenner hose. Water adds caramel, damp black gardening soil and glowing fireplace wood. Intense but beautiful...
Palate: Really hot at this abv... Melted butter, latex gloves and black pepper. Sigg water bottles and struck matches. Adding water changes the scene quite a bit: Over-brewed green tea, black pepper and ashtray. Town gas smell, rubber sole shoes and cooked prunes.
Finish: Long... Incredibly long... Rubber eraser, rubber tubes and burnt plastic.
Overall: This is the definition of funk in Jamaican rum. It is as rubbery, peppery and as dirty as it gets... Even if you are not a fan you should try this one just to experience and learn. Although it is a great example of its kind I kinda admit that it might be challenging to sip it neat. If I only had more of this gem I would love to mix it with a very sharp ginger beer in a large highball glass, top it with ice, garnish it with a lime wedge and find myself a seat somewhere outside to enjoy... Thanks to Josh Hodas for this sample.
Price: $19 (375ml bottle)
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