rum essence kit

[Guy stowell]

I have just started making my own rum essence kit to improve my rum tasting and smelling skills, i have done this by putting different ingredients in small jars and filling them with white rum. so far i have done one with mollases, cinnamon and vanilla.I Was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on other important ingredients to try, and how would i do an oak one? or any other advice on improving my taste buds would be much appreciated.

[scheer]

What I would advise is try to make a range of rums going up in esters. So start with a neutral white rum, very often cheapest on the shelf discounter stuff, likely a local Jamaican rum, probably not available in the US would be high in esters. On the other hand you make a range of aged rums going up in age; 3,5,8,12 years old. You could go for Barbados types, these could be nice in woody tones. You can than blend any type which comes to your mind making ester and age blends in all variations.
The french style rums are a thing on there own. Higest in ester would be a Grand fond gallion type, and low in esters would be a e.g. a light white reunion quality.
I aint saying thats easy to find in the consumers market but you can always try.

[Scottes]

Luis Ayala describes and define a rum essence kit in one of his PDFs.
http://www.rumshop.net/RU/files/lesson1.pdf