Rum-Bar by Worthy Park Silver Overproof - 70cl

Product Information

The estate was actually gifted to Lt. Francis Price for his services to Cromwell during the English capture of the island from the Spanish in 1655. Throughout over 10,000 acres of land, around 40% of the land is currently in sugar cultivation. The molasses used in rum production is extracted on the property; their sugar factory has been rated #1 on the island for efficiency every year since 1968. They distill their rums in a traditional 100% copper Jamaican pot still, producing heavy bodied rums, and even use native yeast cultivated from their own sugar cane crop. Rum Fire Velvet Jamaican White Overproof Rum. There are a lot of words and phrases I have used over they years when reviewing White Overproof rum from Jamaica. Velvet is certainly not one I have ever thought to use before, if I am being honest. In the nose ugly and pungent. Rotten fruit soaked in paint stripper is the first impression. Wait - wait - wait - and everything changes. You dive in and under the surface opens a paradise of scents. Grassy and floral scents mingle with all sorts of tropical fruits, pineapple, banana, papaya, vanilla and more tart directions like tobacco, leather and a drop of olive oil.

If you add a little water you get more exotic fruits Papaya and a little Passion Fruit some fermented Pineapple.Like the Clairin’s it is more interesting to sip than outright enjoyable. It’s too much at 63% neat – it just burns and tastes of alcohol. With water you begin to appreciate the depth of flavour. Banana, Papaya, sweet Passion fruit like notes, hints of grassy vegetal agricole like notes. There is a lot going on. Which may make some of you think that this White Overproof may be refined and slightly lighter on flavour/funk. I’ve deliberately delayed reviewing this rum as I have been comparing and contrasting it to Wray and Nephew but also a Clairin from Haiti.

However, there was an over-supply of Jamaican Rum after World War II, and under agreement with the Spirits Pool Association of Jamaica production was ceased in 1962. Run by only three families in 340 years, Worthy Park has now been owned by the Clarke family since 1918 and saw the completion of a state-of-the-art distillery in 2005, and was deemed worthy (ha) to enter the industry once more. Developed by Proof Drinks, Cut Overproof is the only overproof spiced rum on the list. Coming in at 75.5% ABV , Cut Overproof is a blend of Trinidadian Rum and Jamaican rum from the Worthy Park Estate. How does Cut Overproof taste? Ensure you dilute this Rum before you drink it. In St Vincent it is enjoyed with ice cold water with lime. Also a great option for any rum punch! You can mix it with pineapple juice or if you prefer fizzy mixers, lemonade is our recommendation.

In terms of alcoholic beverages definition of Proof (in overproof) according to Webster's dictionary is "Alcoholic strength indicated by a number that is twice the percent by volume of alcohol present" The vapors enter the low wine retort, mingling with and heating the alcoholic liquid inside. The liquid in the low-wine retort is approx. 30%, exiting at approximately 60% abv. High-wine retort A few sips later and I’m starting to get some more of the sweeter fruitier notes. Lots of Citrus Fruit and Marmalade, a touch of Raisin, plenty of Banana and lots of fermenting Apples and Pineapple. I read recently somewhere that the two bottlings will be alligned with the “Velvet” part being removed. I have not seen any evidence of these bottlings in Europe as yet. Christelle Harris Director of Sales and Marketing at Hampden Estate, has frequently been asked if there is a difference in the liquid between the European and US releases. She has said on numerous occasions that they are the same juice. Others still disagree. I’ve not tried the both of them side by side. So I have no idea if the US version is, as many say a higher ester version. Let’s move away from that discussion as I cannot prove anything either way! Nor am I particularly bothered as I do not have any access to the US bottling so I might never know. As a sipper it would be very much in the “I’ve had a hard day” mould. It’s certainly not something I would find myself sipping on a daily basis. If I did it would suggest I might have a few problems……..The strongest Rum on the list St Vincent's Sunset Rum has an alcohol strength of 84.5% ABV . This White Rum is molasses based and distilled using the column still method. Award Winning Rum The “sweet” does not come from added sugar as sugar addition is not permitted according to the Jamaican Rum Standard. From memory, Rum Fire Velvet White Jamaican Overproof Rum doesn’t seem quite as pungent and vegetal as either Rum Bar Overproof or Wray and Nephew’s famous White Overproof. It seems fairly low(ish) in terms of esters. Maybe a little more accessible to the newbie. There are of course notes of Bruised Banana and slightly fermented tropical fruits. Pineapple Juice, Guava and a touch of Mango. It has a slightly sour aroma as well and some strong notes of sweet alcohol and an almost “stony” like quality. I’ve given this a bit of time in the glass but it wasn’t all that in your face, when I initially poured it. You’ll find the Worthy Park Estate deep in the heart of Lluidas Vale, surrounded by mountain ranges and lush and fertile terrain. It is located in the central parish of St. Catherine and is known for its traditional, authentic Jamaican rum. After drinking this rum straight I was prepared to give it a 3 as it was muted, hot, and frankly unpleasant. With water the complexity exploded into a multitude of delightful notes to the extent that I will rate it a solid 7.5. It’s clear to me that this rum simply needs to be diluted down to around 50% to allow it to truly shine…and shine it will. This is probably the perfect example of what Scott was referring to in his video about adding water to high Abv spirits to open up the flavors because man oh man is that evident here.

Sipped at full proof, this is a lot punchier and a lot more flavourful than the nose suggested. Much more funky and very, very boozy. The initial sip is quite sweet/sour with a very grassy note to it. The mid palate really just floats into a full on assault of booze and a what I can best describe as Diesel fumes and a lungful of freshly laid Tar. Which was nice. As mixers these White Jamaican Overproof’s really offer a lot to someone who appreciates the depth of flavour these rums offer in mixed drinks. I’m talking about people like me, who despite having a fondness for a Rum and Coke – they still want the Rum and Coke to taste primarily of Rum. Not just find it fading away in the mix.This list has some of the highest strength rums available in the UK. As a matter of fact they are some of the highest strength alcohol you can buy in the UK. So whether you're just curious to know which rum is the strongest or looking for a new high strength rum to add to your bar or collection, this post was written for you! It is along with Wray and Nephew and Rum Bar Overproof a great Jamaican Overproof. I find it difficult to split the three as they all deliver a similar experience. Just avoid the Monymusk White Overproof as that is awful. Rum Fire Velvet is produced at Hampden Estate. There has been a bit of confusion over this bottling for the European market and the Rum Fire (minus the Velvet) bottling which is widely available in the US. This European edition of Rum Fire is presented in a stubby stylish bottle, with a modern stylised look. The US Rum Fire appears in a normal “bar bottle” and looks a lot less premium.