Rum Tasting On Vacation: A Delicious Change Of Pace

We are definitely Rum lovers when it comes to our preferred spirits and so we were very excited to be invited to a Rum Tasting a few weeks ago by Celinda from Mer et Soleil at the Noble (Halifax's Secret Speakeasy below the Middle Spoon).  We had never attended a formal spirits tasting before but we thrilled to check it out.  Upon arrival the owner led us downstairs (without asking for the secret password mind you) and through the kitchen, to an industrial door that opened into an amazing space of intimate lighting and shelves of old books.  Just beautiful.  We had heard of the place but never been, so it was great to finally check it out.

Upon arrival we were introduced to Nicolas Villalon the Brugal Rum Brand Ambassador who offered up one of of three handmade cocktail choices; a Rum & Fever-Tree Tonic, a Rum Manhattan, and a Traditional Rum Daiquiri.

Shannon had the Rum & Tonic and I tried the Manhattan.  Both handmade and both delicious.  In fact, I went back to Nicolas to try the Daiquiri and again awesome.

Craft Cocktails made by Nicolas

We mingled with some other local Food Bloggers and were able to enjoy our cocktails and the space while nibbling on some nibbles from the Middle Spoon kitchen like Pulled Pork Sliders which were delicious.  After our cocktail tasting we were moved to the tables to try the Rums in a more traditional Rum tasting.  Each table was adorned with four tasting glasses for each chair and a sharing plate of meats, cheeses, nuts, and popcorn to try with the Rum.

Nicolas then gave us the rundown on the process that Brugal uses to make their Rum in the Dominican Republic.  He gave us some great details on the process and how it is different from what we might consider more high volume Rum producers.

He then taught us the difference between tasting spirits and tasting wine.  I clumsily stuck my nose in the glass and got blasted by nothing but alcohol.  Rookie...

We were told about holding your nose close to the glass but breathing in through your mouth and nose to allow for the alcohol to dissipate slightly so you can literally taste the smell of the Rum.  It was advice that worked perfectly.  We then proceeded to sample the following:

The Especial Extra Dry  (White Rum that isn't really white.  It's barrel aged and then charcoal filtered three times which removes the colour)

The Anejo (A blend of aged Rums up to 5 years)

The Extra Viejo (XV has additional aging from 8 years and beyond)

The 1888 (This rum is aged in American oak then further aged in Sherry casks - the best one that we could afford at $71) 

We were then treated to the following Special Rum:

Singlo De Oro (Special aged Rum that comes in at $130) - really, really nice but surprisingly we liked the 1888 better. 

Nicolas then told us about an even more special Rum - The Brugal Family Grand Especial Private Stock (The BEST of the BEST from the Brugal Family stocks, only 500 bottles produced TOTAL - NS gets 3 at $1500.00 a bottle)

Such a cool experience in a really awesome atmosphere.  Thanks again Celinda!

Keep on tasting!

Chris & Shannon