The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) plays a dual role in the beverage industry. The Chicago based organization reviews and scores, on a hundred-point scale, thousands of beverages each year. This activity makes it more like a conventional wines and spirits competition
On the one hand, it also functions as a consultancy that, in its own words utilizes:
Exceptional methodology, proprietary tools and decades of experience to offer research, development and marketing services that protest large investments, elevate brand reputations, optimize market reception and engage consumers.
This dual role is unprecedented within the beverage industry. Its evaluations and advice are closely followed in the beverage industry by both global wine and spirit companies and by recently established craft spirit producers, as well as by consumers around the world.
BTI has just released its list of top spirits of 2021. Included in that list are four rums, which it judged the world’s best in each of their respective categories.
The world’s best rum, with a score of 96/100, was Appleton Estate, 21 YO Rum, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $149. Appleton was also the only rum that received a Platinum Medal.
Appleton is a historic rum brand. Founded in 1749, it is the oldest distillery in Jamaica. It sits in an 11,000 acre plus estate in the Nassau Valley in the heart of Jamaica’s sugar cane belt. George Washington served Appleton Rum at his inauguration reception, even though at the time the importation of rum from Britain’s Caribbean colonies was illegal.
In addition to the 21 YO expression, the company produces a range of historic rums, including a 30 YO and unbelievably a 50 YO expression, in addition to a more affordable 12 YO that sells for about $40. Its most recent release, Appleton Estate, Black River Casks, is a single estate Jamaica rum assembled from hand-selected casks that have been matured for a minimum of 15 years in Jamaica’s tropical climate.
The BTI’s tasting panel described the rum as “a robust, spicy and caramelly Rum with great intensity” that offers up:
Aromas of chocolate-covered caramels, sweet cigarillo, and copper pot with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and a peppery, brisk caramelized banana, rye crisps, caramel cake, raisin bread pudding, and clove finish.
The Best Aged rum, scoring 92/100, was the Mount Gay, Eclipse Heritage Blend Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $22. The Mount Gay rum was also picked as a Best Buy in the rum category. Mount Gay is another historic rum producer. The distillery has been in operation in Barbados since 1703.
Mt. Gay has proven to be among the most innovative rum producers, and was among the first to use creative cask finishes on their rum. To date their Master Blender Collection has featured a Port cask finished rum and a peat smoke rum. The latter is finished for six months in casks that previously held heavily peated whisky from Islay. The newest release, “Andean Oak Cask is slated for October 2021.
The BTI’s official tasting notes described the Eclipse Heritage Blend Rum as “a simple but rock solid rum for most any cocktail” that offers up:
Aromas of brown sugar and hints of lychee with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and breezy hints of vanilla, caramel pudding, and Bananas Foster finish.
Two other rums, both with Gold Medal scores of 90/100, were among the other top rums: JD Shore and Tanduay.
JD Shore, White Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $23, is produced by the Halifax Distilling Company in Halifax Nova Scotia. The Halifax Distilling Company is a craft distillery founded in 2016 by Julie Shore and Arla Johnson.
The Canadian Maritime provinces have a long history of rum production. From the 17th through the 19th centuries they were at the center of an extensive trade relationship that saw salted cod produced from Newfoundland’s Grand Banks and surrounding waters shipped to the Caribbean in return for salt, molasses and rum.
The fishery on the Grand Banks needed around 30,000 tons of salt to preserve the cod catch. The Caribbean was the closest and cheapest place to find salt. In turn, salted cod was fed to slaves on the Caribbean sugar plantations, since it was the cheapest source of animal protein.
Thankfully, slavery has long since been abolished, but the legacy of that trade remains in the prevalence of salted cod in the culinary lexicon of the West Indies and the Maritimes’ rum industry.
The BTI’s tasting notes called it a “smooth and creamy white rum with just the right amount of tropical character; ideal for classic Daiquiris,” which features:
Aromas of hints of banana leaf and sweet mango on yogurt with a satiny, crisp, fruity light body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length hints of glazed nuts and coconut cream finish.
Tanduay, Gold Asian Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $19, was also picked as a Best Buy. Tanduay is a Philippine rum producer. It dates back to 1854 and is, by volume, the world’s largest rum producer.
The brand is not very well known in the United States. That’s a pity because it really is an outstanding rum, and offers exceptional value. The company has been steadily raising its profile in North America and, among other things, has signed sponsorship deals with several NBA clubs, including the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns.
The BTI’s tasting panel called it “a fruity, candied Gold Rum that drinks effortlessly,” which offers:
Confected aromas of fruit stripes gum, orange creamsicle, rainbow sherbet, and butterscotch with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, medium-length cherry cola and marzipan finish.
This year’s top rums from the Beverage Testing Institute offers an intriguing mix of historic brands and a new craft distiller. All four selections represent exceptional rums and outstanding values. Definitely worth a taste!
Cheers
