DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Rum Dog Rum
( Edmonstone & MacMillan, SC) 90 prf
Twice distilled, twice charcoal filtered.

Nose: Lime seltzer, Sprite soda, 7-UP, subtle lemon-lime, citrus, green apple Jolly Rancher, watermelon, pineapple, peaches, strawberry, apple peel, hot pear, warm vanilla spice, peppermint, mossy, light, morning fresh.

Palate: Taffy, cream, cane sugar, maple syrup, smooth vanilla, honey, coconut, tropical fruit, fresh lime, lime peel, lemon zest, orange peel, minty, light wheat, allspice, sweet spice, rich, creamy mouthfeel, lively, delicious.

Finish: Lingering honey, sugar, candy, pear, citrus, lingering mint, mild black pepper, spicy, nice heat, well balanced, great on the rocks, soft, supple, silky smooth, pleasant, lovely, perfect.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Distillery 36 Brigham Rum
(Utah) 80 prf
100% natural cane, Rocky Mountain spring water.

Nose: Caramel, molasses, cola, ripe banana, cantaloupe, sweet plum, strawberry, rose, rose hips, fresh lime, cucumber, vegetal, corn, popcorn, salted popcorn, bread, almond, raw walnuts, peanuts, plowed field.

Palate: Light caramel, vanilla, caramelized figs, dried figs, raisins, papaya, ripe banana, banana peel, orange peel, lime, mild anise, fresh flowers, floral notes, clove, cinnamon, tobacco, rich bourbon, nice balance, creamy, soft, smooth, very pleasant.

Finish: Fudge, licorice, black licorice, woody, crisp, zingy, soft, silky, creamy, nice, gentle, approachable.

Gold Medal
   

Resurgence Silver Rum
(Fish Hawk Spirits, FL) 80 prf
Distilled from Louisiana cane.

Nose: Burnt caramel, dark toffee, butterscotch, Laffy Taffy, sugar cane, spun sugar, vanilla, fruit gum, coconut, banana, mango, juniper, mint, grassy, vegetal, minerals.

Palate: Apricot, butter, hint of juniper, green tea, mint, leaves, grassy, botanical, cinnamon, clove, white pepper, salty, earthy, smoky, char, silky mouthfeel, smooth, light, approachable, pleasant.

Finish: Lime, slightly vegetal, mushroom, slight funk, earthy, white pepper, mild black pepper, dusty, wood notes, creamy, smooth, rich, Agricole notes, great for mojitos.

Gold Medal
   

Wise Men Distillery Rum
Red Tape Series
(MI) 80 prf
Cane sugar, molasses and Lake Michigan water.

Nose: Caramel, sugar cane, straight cane, caramelized sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla, peanut brittle, marshmallow, candy wrapper, honeyed, honeycomb, coconut, banana, orange marmalade, lemon/lime, lemon peel, burnt cherry, green banana, anise, green hay, Agricole, funky in a great way.

Palate: White chocolate, vanilla, milky, creamy, clotted cream, strong cane, corn, sweet coconut juice, guava, mango, citrus peel, floral note, cinnamon, allspice, clove, chicory, peppery, quinine, slate, wet stone, earthy, soft, great balance.

Finish: Caramel, chocolate, lingering tropical fruits, orange peel, ginger, faint almond, coffee grinds, starched linen, soft, zippy, flavorful.

Gold Medal
   

Ron Pepón Blanco Ron Agricola
(San Juan Artisan Distillers, PR) 90 prf
Estate distilled from sugarcane juice. Double distilled in single batch copper pot stills.

Nose: Sugar cane, ripe pineapple, rhubarb, sour apple, banana peel, sliced raw potato, vegetal, bread, cereal, cereal grains, dark licorice, fermented grapes, grappa, briny, mineral, charred wood, funk, Agricole.

Palate: Dark sugar, honey, tropical fruit, pineapple, mango, pear, cherry, orange peel, herbal, cereal, biscuit, nutmeg, spice, white pepper, red pepper, grape must, mineral, briny, earthy, wet leaves, wet wood, new wood barrel, heavy char, strong Agricole, well balanced, big, bold.

Finish: Caramel, cocoa, sugarcane, pineapple, papaya, cereal, coffee, nutmeg, spicy, pepper, black pepper, woody, chewy, rich, flavorful, interesting, great in cocktails.

Gold Medal
   

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Antelope Island Rum
(Dented Brick Distillery, UT) 80 prf
Organic sugar cane & molasses, artesian well water.

Nose: Caramel, s’mores, candy corn, powdered sugar, maple, vanilla, toasted coconut, dates, apricot, currants, roasted chestnuts, anise, peppermint, menthol, pepper, tree sap, new polished wood, slight Agricole funk, ocean breezes.

Palate: Cocoa, molasses, honey, banana, stone fruit, apple, herbs, herbal notes, allspice, clove, pepper, black pepper, fresh tobacco, minerals, earthy, grape skins, grape must, musty, nicely blended, cool, crisp, light touch, soft, very smooth.

Finish: Apple, mint, cut grass, cinnamon, clove, cedar chest, woody, approachable, pleasant, great, a good sipper.

Silver Medal
   

Skunktown Distillery Rum
(NJ) 80 prf
Cane sugar & molasses, copper pot still.

Nose: Whipped cream, vanilla cream, vanilla, dry cake mix, toast with butter, soft butter & sugar, sugar cane, dried mango, fresh rhubarb, cactus, vegetal, jalapeño, chopped greens, fresh grass, grassy fields, fresh cut pine, toasted pecans, nutmeg, allspice, mineral, cool breezes.

Palate: Toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, creamy vanilla, cream, sugarcane, powdered sugar, hints of pear, mild anise, popcorn, coffee, oregano, white pepper, minerals, Agricole, rich, creamy.

Finish: Chocolate, lingering honey, orange peel, citrus, minty, mineral, rich oak, green, fresh, rich.

Silver Medal
   

Three of Strong Acadian Rum
(Three of Strong Spirits, ME) 80 prf
100% cold press raw Louisiana cane juice.

Nose: Dark chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, ripe tropical fruit, pineapple, pear, melon, cucumber, vegetal, herbal, shiso leaf, eucalyptus, hint of cumin, light saline, toast, lightly smoky, earthy roots, morning dew.

Palate: Creamy, buttery, maple syrup, honey, tropical fruit, tart apple, fresh lime, spicy orange, herbal, vegetal, grassy, coffee, raw cashew, roasted nuts, slightly nutty, light spice, leather, mineral, earth, peat, musty, wet bark, grappa, fresh, soft, smooth, silky.

Finish: Pie crust, cherry, orange peel, herbaceous, cool mint, nutty, red chili, spicy, woody note, clean mouth feel, nice, very smooth, creamy, velvety.

Silver Medal
   

Big Five Silver Rum
(The Point Distillery, FL) 80 prf
100% cold press raw Louisiana cane juice.

Nose: Lemon, Meyer lemon peel, citrus, green apple, red grapes, light banana, sweet cane juice, hints of roses, fresh grass, floral, wild flowers, light pine, woody, clean, linen.

Palate: Caramel, chocolate, vanilla, confectioners’ sugar, white powdered sugar, coconut water, green apple, lemon pith, lime peel, flowers, rose petals, anise, hazelnuts, dried oregano, soft, could mix with almost anything.

Finish: Lemon cream pie, light citrus, lingering vanilla, sugar, grain, clove, peppered, sharp black pepper, warming, lasting, lively, clean, fresh, nice, easy.

Silver Medal
   

Callisto Botanical Rum
(Calisto Spirits Co., CA) 80 prf

Nose: Pastry, powdered sugar, limoncello, lime, finger limes, lemon, lemon zest, sweetie fruit, margarita, orange, burnt pineapple, juniper, lavender, fresh rose petals, mint, spearmint, pine, grass, dried leaves, dusty, line dry clothes.

Palate: Vanilla, heavy cream, piña colada, mango, lime, Lime Rickey, lime soda, citrus, ginger, lavender, floral, grass, sweet herbs, strong nutmeg, clove, hot pepper, spicy, black pepper, mushroom, earthy, musty, bark, cedar, woody, wood barrel, creamy, smooth.

Finish: Chocolate, lavender, floral, mushroom, herbaceous, menthol, spicy, peppery, tree bark, wood, refreshing, great for mojitos.

Silver Medal