Mauritius have a long
history in producing rums, growing up on the island, up until 11 years ago
(2003) as far as I can remember the majority if not the total production of was
based on the distillation of molasses (Industrial Rum) rather than sugar cane
juice (Agricultural Rum) , which is two distinct categories where the one
produced from juice are far more superior, nuanced and elegant.
Most of the production
back then was white rum from molasses, your typical engine cleaner! Good with Coke
or fruit juice for the brave one, relatively cheap, two tots and you are in
heaven, but watch the next day!!!
It is good to see in
recent years the emergence of more refined rum, in large part contributed by
more and more being produced from sugar cane juice distillation rather than
molasses, perhaps due to the falling sugar cane / sugar industry, and not
benefitting preferential prices from the UK and Europe, hence the guys have to
re-invent their source of income!
Still it puzzle me why
Mauritius has taken so long, in fact decades, considering neighbouring Reunion
Island have a long history of producing agricultural rum! Which is amongst the
best in the world alongside the top Caribbean drops.
Earlier this year I was
sent a bottle of Blue Mauritius Gold, currently available in South Africa via
VDP Prestige Distributors and Liquidity, it is a fancy heavy bottle with a
price tag to support!
Amber gold in color,
bright, fruity, lots of dried dark fruits, spicy, alcohol is not integrated
though, for what can be expected from a “Gold / aged” offerings, with a
prominent coffee undertones, vanillin, it’s kind of a disjointed offering
closer to being confected in profile as tasting it side by side with “aged” rum
from around the world, it shows an element of being adorned with too much make
up, i.e your slutty type of spirits, the palate was another revelation it was
sweet and partially viscous! Unusual.
A sweetness derived from
residual sugar rather than oak sweetness, like American oak, in fact there is a
lot of similarity of it being a cross of Bourbon spirits as there is some
charry elements as well as the sweetness akind to Frangelico liqueurs, I am
puzzle.
I think the guys crafting this rum are trying way too hard, it is a
kind of luxury “Rhum arranger”, which cost peanuts! but the packaging give the impression of luxury!
I had a look at their
website, initially, not much relevant information available, regarding
productions, ageing, barrels used, besides their awards, so I am not sure if
this is an agricultural rum or a molasses based rum, however I am more inclined
to believe there might be a large portion of molasses distillate, because of
the unintegrated alcohol and the high RS have been used to masked the faults,
however we all know sugar in booze make them sells, so they might get lucky in
selling this product to the uninitiated, but then again rum market at the top
end, is compressed, and no more than 3% of the market share, and declining of all alcohol combined
I know I am not doing my
contacts in Mauritius a favor with this review, it's all about selling potential and market acceptance, but we have to call an apple
an apple, in a world where transparency is crucial, especially more so in the
beverage industry and when playing at a certain price points, where the market
potential is significantly reduced, it has to show and reflect the aim, concept
and terroir as well as the upbringing / ageing one can expect, it is highly
possible the color has been corrected with caramel, as the sucrosity on the texture
is a give away, but I might be wrong.
Nevertheless it is a product
to discover or keep on your bar shelves, for a taste of island sunshine or
mixed with bitters and crushed ice for a soothing after meal drink.
Alcohol: normal | 43 %abv
Origin: Mauritius
Notes: vanilla | raisin | prune | dates | coffee| spicy
Ideal drinking occasions: digestif best served with dessert
Serve with: flambee banana with bourbon vanilla ice cream or crepe Suzette
Drink: now
