Another day of advent calendar and another new rum brand. And even fróm really exotic country, I cant think of any rum from Tahiti I know. So hopefully it will be pleasant surprise. On the first sight the rum is very dark, another interesting point.
Tahiti island is located near center of Pacific ocean, sugar cane comes from neighborough island of Taha’a. Here 11 varietes of sugar cane is grown, the most noble and known is Otahiti. That is exported into world since 18th century.
Ariki rums combine modern technologies with artisanal procedures. Founder of Ariki remembers distillery Ava Tea into which he wandered in 1986. Here fruit brandy was distilled, with hand crushed fruits, little bit of yeast, wild fermentation and small copper pot still. He later started exporting bussiness and shipped vanilla beans into the world. With starting of making vanilla extract, he obtained alcohol licence and bought 20 liter pot still. And then 1200 liter pot still and then even bigger one. In this times, he visitet world brands like Bacardi, Jim Beam and Makers Mark to learn more about distilling, thinking about his own rum distillery. It was designed and buid five years ago, with copper still and great variety of product.
On his official site, Ariky rum is offering only two bottles. Ariki White Rum – 50 % ABV cocktail white rum and Ariki Black Rum. That we are tasting today, its aged rum from oak barrels and has 40 % ABV.
Nose is very strong, very sweet and with lots of spices. Its liqueur sweetness, like caramel syrup or cherry syrup. There are very strong spices which reminds me cola soda or Captain Morgan Black Spiced rum. Its sticky and fresh together. Very interesting, but that doesnt need to mean good.
The taste is suprisingly not that sweet. It is sweet, but its not syrupy sweetness. There is strong flavor of kola nut, like in premium cola mixer. And then lots of sweet spices ans sweet woodines. It is aromatic, full of dark and heavy caramel and with harsh wood. The taste is not soft and is strong.
Aftertaste is full of dark caramel and coffee. There are also some wood and dry spices. And cocktail cherries. Aftertaste in not sweet at all, less sweet than taste was. It kind of strong and full, strangely juicy. And it stays for long time.
This rum is surprise, it is strange and not typical rum. I dont think it is clear rum, because it taste like sweetened dark caramel spiced rum. Kind of like Captain Morgan Black Spiced. The smell is very sweet, but the rum is then not. It is very interesting by it uniqueness, but that could not be enough. I read the info about rum after the tasting, so where is my artisanal craft rum and what is the meaning of this black spiced rum?
