This is probably the first rum I’ve ever tasted and it was in a Rum & Coke version. It doesn’t need much of an introduction as it is one of the best-known rum brands whether you like it or despise it. I wanted to review it because it is a bottom shelf product and it helps to manage my biases by being honest about what I’m tasting.
“…it stands against other similar products.”
Captain Morgan Original Spice
Distilled by: Captain Morgan Rum Distillery
Type: Spiced Blended Aged Caribbean Rum
Region: St. Croix, Virgin Islands, USA
Age: NAS, aged in charred white oak barrels
ABV: 35% (70 proof)
Rums’ provenance: Caribbean only
Colouring: Yes
Appearance: 5/10
The bottle comes in a handy size, easily used by consumers with its tall cylinder shape & a practical plastic twist cap which is, quality-wise, much better than a loose metal screw cap. I usually prefer cork with most of my spirits but in this case, since it’s generally consumed quite fast at bars or college parties I think the brand has efficiently reached out to its clientele & I don’t bother that much for oxidation or evaporation. The colour is golden-amber & when I tilt my glass a medium crest forms and from there, medium-sized legs fall rather quickly. Given the ingredients commonly used in Spiced Rums, I was expecting some sort of colouring agents & I’m not surprised to find that caramel colouring is added to maintain consistency for this mass produced bottle.
Nose: 6/15
Straight out of the bottle I get a strong vanilla extract note dominating everything else. I do pick some fruitiness, a hint of chocolate & some caramel although at first hand the overall bouquet seems rather unidimensional & not really balanced. As I let it breathe a bit in order to give it a chance to get it together, it smoothens out allowing aromas of bitter orange peels, brown sugar, milk chocolate, baking spices as well as some very faint raspberries & blueberries to come out. However, the vanilla is really on top of everything, rendering it quite hard to perceive other fragrances. The nose doesn’t invite me to sip on it neat, given that it is quite unbalanced & unidimensional. Vanilla is not per say an off-flavour although the intensity of it here makes the experience unpleasant.
Mouth: 4/15
I get a very minor tickling sensation from the alcohol since it’s only 35% (70 proof) & it never evolves in something more serious. More vanilla is present on the palate with an unpleasant ethanol flavour. Some parts of the milk chocolate & caramel remain although the fruits have pretty much disappeared. It has a surprising body for such a small ABV although all things considered it might come from the added ingredients. There is a faint sweetness but not as cloying as I was expecting it to be. Medium tannins are present as well as a moderate acidity & a bitter taste. The harsh ethanol & vanilla extract flavours make this rather unpalatable as a sipper & I may only use it in cocktails where it doesn’t play a big role.
Finish: 6/10
The finish brings back some orange peels as well as some blackberries & a stronger chocolate aroma. It lasts for a while saving a bit the experience of drinking it straight. Surprisingly the vanilla dies quickly & leaves a much more balanced product.
Overall: 42/100
This is not something I would recommend to anyone trying to find a sipper or a nice addition to their bar. However as a bottom shelf spiced rum it stands against other similar products. If you happen to have a bottle, I advise using it in drinks that have a lot of fruit juices or in a cocktail where it’s only there in small quantities & you will do just fine.
3 word description:
Vanilla, Unbalanced & Simple.
The Reference
More information @captainmorgan.com
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