El Dorado Demerara Single Barrel

[Edward Hamilton]

Demerara Distillers Ltd recently bottled a few cases of Single Barrel rum. Being from a single barrel, these rums aren't as heavy as you might think they would be, and lack the distinctive viscous, smoky oak flavors found in their Special Reserve rum. Quantities are limited so you won't find these rums everywhere.

[Troy]

I'm going to keep my eye out for some. If you happen to see any in an online store please let me know.

[Hank Koestner]

I would also love a bottle!!:D

[Matusalem]

My understanding is the SB is currently made for and sold by one Duty Free store exclusively.

I don't know if this is correct but I also heard the cost is roughly $70 USD which definitely is not cheap by rum standards.

[Count Silvio]

Only pic I could find. http://ravalonline.com/node/1213
Looks like a pretty heavy bottle. I'd love to get my hands on that rum. 70 USD is about 49 euro, not too bad considering I have to pay 41 euros for the 15 year old.

[Troy]

Interesting bottle choice. It looks very similar to the Tommy Bahama bottle. Much like the Trump vodka bottle as well. Seems to be a style choice when an upscale look is desired.

I don't care for the bottle style that much myself. I'd love to get it for the rum inside though! :D

[Raval]

Only pic I could find. http://ravalonline.com/node/1213
Looks like a pretty heavy bottle. I'd love to get my hands on that rum. 70 USD is about 49 euro, not too bad considering I have to pay 41 euros for the 15 year old.

Noticed the URL in my log file for referrers.

I took that photo at a recent trade expo it was the first time I saw El Dorado single barrel Rum.

I could call the company and find out how much a bottle cost if anyone is interested.

[Matusalem]

Is it true that only Trini/Tobago's Duty Free shop(s) carry it?

[Edward Hamilton]

The Demerara Single Barrel is available at a few select retails stores. The distillery sells this rum to a few distributors and they determine where it is sold. Most of these decisions are made according to past sales so don't look for it in very small stores. There isn't a lot of these rums available. I'll see if I can find some retailers that can and will ship the Single Barrel in the US.

[Edward Hamilton]

I should have written that Demerara Single Barrel will be available in a few select stores. It hasn't been released yet. This morning I was told by the importer that it will be available first in New York and New Jersey. I'll post a link to stores that sell it when it finally arrives. My impression is that the single barrel is lighter than the other Demerara rums since it is a single barrel bottling and not a blend of very heavy and lighter rums.

[Count Silvio]

Any idea when it will be released in europe?

[Edward Hamilton]

I'll post something as soon as I have a date. I'll also post where it will be available.

[Edward Hamilton]

Is it true that only Trini/Tobago's Duty Free shop(s) carry it?

Distribution is limited but T & T duty free is not the only place to find Demerara Single Barrel Rum.

I'm told that it will be first available in the US sometime around the end of November at Shopper's Vineyard (http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/) in New Jersey, which fortunately has some online business.

[Matusalem]

My impression is that the single barrel is lighter than the other Demerara rums since it is a single barrel bottling and not a blend of very heavy and lighter rums.This is interesting and I hope to discover soon, but I've been hearing it isn't El Dorado light and is a rather intense rum, in a good way. I know individual opinions are just that - the opinions of one but this has peaked my interest.

Good info, Ed, and glad to know the Vine-yard will carry it.

[Edward Hamilton]

This is interesting and I hope to discover it soon, but I've been hearing it isn't El Dorado light and is a rather intense rum, in a good way. I know individual opinions are just that - the opinions of one but this has peaked my interest.

To call this Single Barrel El Dorado light isn't a very good description. It certainly isn't a light rum compared to say, Cruzan Single Barrel. But the flavor profile isn't as broad as the El Dorado 15, their flagship brand.

[Edward Hamilton]

There are actually three different Single Barrel Rums from Demerara Distillers Ltd, one of these, EHP (http://ministryofrum.com/rumdetails.php?r=737) can be seen here. This and two more Single Barrel Rums should be available this weekend at Shoppers Vineyard (http://www.shoppersvineyard.com) in New Jersey. I'm told this will be coming to a few select stores in New York soon.

[Paulipbartender]

A consignment of El D Single Cask is in the water on it's way to Speciality Drinks in the UK.

Form an orderly cue behind us please....

[Hank Koestner]

I cannot remeber what thread this was mentioned on before, but Shoppers Vineyard has the El Dorado single barrel rums in, sold in three packs only for $179.:eek: Each rum is from a single barrel produced in a different still. Sounds very interesting, but the price is steep, having to buy all 3 at the same time. :mad:
Will I bend and eventually purchase anyway? Hard to resist.........

[Edward Hamilton]

I knew that the three different single barrels were being offered to retailers in six packs but didn't realize that only three packs were being offered to consumers.

Mondo Liquors (http://mondoliquor.storesecured.com/) in NY will be getting these rums soon.

[The Rum Ambassador]

Interesting bottle choice. It looks very similar to the Tommy Bahama bottle. Much like the Trump vodka bottle as well. Seems to be a style choice when an upscale look is desired.

I don't care for the bottle style that much myself. I'd love to get it for the rum inside though! :D

While Speaking to the El Dorado blender at this years Food & Rum Festival in St Lucia, he openingly admitted that the bottle was styled on the Elements 8 rum from St Lucia.

[Troy]

I couldn't resist. Just ordered two three packs from Shoppers Vineyard. :D

I love every Demerara rum that I have tried. I can't imagine that this won't be the same case.

[Matusalem]

So what's the word on this stuff. Did anybody try any of it yet and if so what were / are the first impressions?

[Edward Hamilton]

If you're looking for an extension of the heavy-hearted Demerara rums bottled under the El Dorado label you might be surprised. These are single barrel rums and not blended. The Single Barrel Rums I've tasted were lighter than the blended rums from El Dorado that I've loved for years but definitely interesting to see how things change if you don't blend in the heaviest rums in the warehouse.

[Paulipbartender]

I had the pleasure of tasing all three last night and was distinctly unimpressed.

I expected the full flavoured, rich demerara flavours typical of ED but didn't get any. The Enmore had a very naval nose but seemed thin in flavour and had very little finish. The Port Morant and the Uitvlugt were similarly disappointing.

First Guyanese rums I've been unimpressed with.........still going to have to buy them for the collection but at Ј55 ex vat per bottle they aren't cheap.

[Matusalem]

So then - it's not just me.

I thought they did however offer some insight as to how sophisticated the blending process might be. Are these three truly representative & common ingredients / components of a typical bottle of El Dorado's standard production rum?

[Paulipbartender]

Exactly what we were discussing today at the bar. While they don't stand up as individual bottles, they are a fascinating insight into the blending process

[Edward Hamilton]

So then - it's not just me.

I thought they did however offer some insight as to how sophisticated the blending process might be. Are these three truly representative & common ingredients / components of a typical bottle of El Dorado's standard production rum?

Demerara Distillers, the company that distills, bottles and blends El Dorado rums owns a number of stills from companies it has acquired over the years. These single barrel rums are just one (lighter) component of the blends we know as El Dorado rums. Just as a chef rarely shares all of the ingredients of his award winning recipe or a magician shows the audience everything I wouldn't hold my breath while I wait for Demerara Distillers to tell me that there is 'x' amount of one of these rums in their 'y' product.

By carefully nosing and tasting these bottles you will have an opportunity to learn something new. I have been told that these aren't just barrels for which they had no other use. If these barrels hadn't been bottled as single barrels this rum would have gone into one of their blended products.

Blending is the key to bringing thousands of barrels together in a consistent marriage of flavor in the rum industry just as it is in the Scotch Whisky industry, wine and some other spirits industries.

[Matusalem]

I wouldn't hold my breath while I wait for Demerara Distillers to tell me that there is 'x' amount of one of these rums in their 'y' product.I certainly don't expect that to come to light - at least not publicly and not with any factual basis.

I have been told that these aren't just barrels for which they had no other use. If these barrels hadn't been bottled as single barrels this rum would have gone into one of their blended products.This somewhat answers my question. Again, I think these 3 rums are educational, but as Pauli pretty much said, they aren't impressive if you hold them against the finished product standards of El Dorado's line. Your implication that the barrels used were not rejects or non product material indicates this is rum that would be found in El Dorado finished product.

From my own blending experience, I've learned that you can take less dimensional rums like these and blend them with perhaps mediocre (on their own) but particularly heavier molasses based rums and wind up with a very good & interesting spirit.

[Edward Hamilton]

Your implication that the barrels used were not rejects or non product material indicates this is rum that would be found in El Dorado finished product.

From my own blending experience, I've learned that you can take less dimensional rums like these and blend them with perhaps mediocre (on their own) but particularly heavier molasses based rums and wind up with a very good & interesting spirit.

I've yet to meet a blender who would blend 'mediocre' rums with other rums and expect to get anything other than a mediocre rum. The weakest link is more than a theory when it comes to blending spirits. While some of the heaviest aged rums aren't very enjoyable on their own, they have attributes which would raise them from the mediocre status. Think of bitters in cocktails. a couple of drops can make or break a cocktail. But since it's only a couple of drops would you consider using the lowest quality bitters in drinks you plan on serving your guests?

[Matusalem]

I've yet to meet a blender who would blend 'mediocre' rums with other rums and expect to get anything other than a mediocre rum. The weakest link is more than a theory when it comes to blending spirits. While some of the heaviest aged rums aren't very enjoyable on their own, they have attributes which would raise them from the mediocre status. Think of bitters in cocktails. a couple of drops can make or break a cocktail. But since it's only a couple of drops would you consider using the lowest quality bitters in drinks you plan on serving your guests?This is an excellent point. No I would not use lowest quality bitters or the lowest quality side kicks to prepare a cocktail.

OTOH (on the other hand), there's an ocean of possibility between *lowest quality* and *mediocre*. To re-think your question, do you think Pyrat uses low quality rum that divides the field into "love it" / "hate it"? Or do you think maybe the rum is mediocre to those that do not care for it, as is? To me it's mediocre, but not necessarily because of quality corners being cut.

To go right to your point about bitters making & breaking the finished product and further use Pyrat as an example, take a current bottle of Pyrat, take a liter of any rum you choose and put one teaspoon of Pryat in that liter, I guarantee you can taste the influence immediately - you'll probably be able to smell it as well. It might be subtle but if you know the two brands (Pyrat & X) you'll recognize the influence without being a "super taster" or professional.

Another point to pay attention to is although some of us find Pyrat mediocre by our own self-described rum standards, it is not one dimensional or lacking in the dimensional department at all. Except for the teaspoon or splash of influence when / where wanted, I don't find Pyrat to be a good component for my blending purposes.

I've had much better success taking a darker rum and blending it downward with lighter rums that otherwise don't have the kind of character I'd put in a glass on its own. The finished product is often a sip-able item.

Now, just as the lighter rum(s) might not be sip-able stand-alone, often I use a dark rum that I wouldn't necessarily sip either - usually it would be something that is heavy and molasses forward. I like my pancakes drizzled with syrup - not my syrup drizzled with pancakes if you can understand what I'm trying to say.

To be clearer when I said mediocre, I didn't mean to imply terrible quality rubbing alcohol, I meant things that probably don't have the amount of character I'm looking for.

[Rum Runner]

The very High Craft (almost an art) of fractional blending in spirits and wines is an amazing achievement to witness. In my early years in the trade I thought it must be a "static" recipe of 3 parts this, 2 parts that, and 1 part of whatever. It was only later that I learned that achieving and maintaining a "House Style" is a constant evolution (if that makes any sense). I have never witnessed rum being blended into a house style in person. I have had the fortune to watch (and taste) Cognac, Armagnac, and Champagne being blended by the Chefs de Maisons in a number of Houses. The number of variables was an eye opener for me. A number of the products used would never stand on their own merits. But they had a singular quality that lent to the whole. It might have been "Tartness", "Freshness", "Mouthfeel ", etc, etc.

Witnessing and tasting as they built the blend to conform to the "House" standard within the confines of what was available for the next bottling run left me standing...or actually, exhausted in awe.

Given our own subjective preferences, we naturally gravitate to our own tastes...That being said, I always tip my hat to those blenders with those magnificent noses and palates who can conjure up to such standards with amazing results!

[El Dorado]

There are actually three different Single Barrel Rums from Demerara Distillers Ltd, one of these, EHP (http://ministryofrum.com/rumdetails.php?r=737) can be seen here. This and two more Single Barrel Rums .....

Sorry Ed, I know this answer might be late but just for info purpose for those who do not know as yet, we have three single barrel rums - the ICBU Single Barrel which is from the French Savalle still, the EHP Single Barrel which is from the only operating wooden continuous Coffey still and the PM Single Barrel which is from the only operating wooden double pots still.

[Edward Hamilton]

Thank you for your contribution Carl. It's always nice to hear from the people who make these products. I look forward to learning more about your distillery, the stills and the products you make in Guyana.

[rumdog007]

I have to register a hit on this old dusty thread. I just got my hands on two of the three El Dorado Single Barrel rums. I found the EHP Enmore Distillery (Wooden Coffey Still) and the ICBU from the distillery next to the Uitvlught sugar factory (Savelle Still).

After reading the thread, I noted some less than enthusiatic responses upon tasting. I can understand their position given the bold statement which the other El Dorados make in the regular bottlings. That said, I am very pleased with the EHP which I have opened tonight. Granted that it is a rum of more singular character, but small subtle joys are hitting my palate. I am having more the experience of tasting a bourbon than that of a rum. I am not speaking of taste when I say that, rather of the experience.

More later....party1.gif

[RonJames]

Don't hold back like that Rumdog007, we might need to stick Dr. Evil on you. g()fy Where did you manage to find them?

[Bill]

Well said Rum Runner. Blending is indeed a high art, and in my mind, beats Solera any day.

[Rum Runner]

Well said Rum Runner. Blending is indeed a high art, and in my mind, beats Solera any day.

Hi Bill, I know you well enough to understand that you know the differences between the Spanish Sherry Soleras and the concept of Soleras adopted by a number of rum producers.

As an aside. Your take that blending is a high art is yours. I maintain that it is a high craft. That is a very subjective point, and we can agree to disagree here.

[rumdog007]

Don't hold back like that Rumdog007, we might need to stick Dr. Evil on you. g()fy Where did you manage to find them?

I get this information from forrest: Lou Bock of Bock Wine and Spirits in the SF Bay area imported these rums into the US. He must have had some extra or returns that he placed placed with bay area retailer. I walked in the next day and bought what they had, serendipity. But, as I read in the beginning of this thread, there may not have been a huge following of this rum. It has a new fan, now! yay.gif

[Hank Koestner]

I really enjoy the Single Barrel Demerara rum. My friends returned from Barbados and this was one that the brought back for me. I like it because of the rich flavor, and the fact that it is on the drier side. It is not as complex as other El Dorado rums, but in it's own way, it stands right with them.
I hope at some point to try the others.gzzg

[RonJames]

I get this information from forrest: Lou Bock of Bock Wine and Spirits in the SF Bay area imported these rums into the US. He must have had some extra or returns that he placed placed with bay area retailer. I walked in the next day and bought what they had, serendipity. But, as I read in the beginning of this thread, there may not have been a huge following of this rum. It has a new fan, now! yay.gif

Shucks, sounds like the chances of me getting a hold of them is slim. I think the real interest with these rums is in being able to taste what the individual still make so that one can appreciate the blended demera products more. Thanks Rumdog.

[fon_eti_que]

During my current caribbean rum-spree, I have found all three of them at most taxfree shops from Venezuela up to Barbados. As a bonus, I was offered the PM at the Demerara Rum Heritage Centre in East Bank Demerara. Sorry to say, while the single cask might appeal to some, I will still regard the ED 12 as my guiding star on the oceans of rum...

The Heritage centre is a really ambitious project by the DDL, and I encourage everybody to pay them a visit if in the area!

/fon_eti_que

[rumdog007]

Yes, I agree that these single barrel sets are something of a "study" in rum blending, technique, craft skill.....


Damn, this El Dorado Single Barrel/Port Morant is pretty good stuff on its own. Yes it is a part of "study" on blending. Yes, it's not a finished product. But, its no gimmick, either. I have taken a month to get to know it and can say that, while not a "polished entry into the pantheon of great sippers", it is quite involving and, maybe because I am just slow on the take, not all that easy to read. It is a great buy now that I bought the last of it on sale. But, aside from price, I like it. The PM is a wild spirit with a slightly medicinal nose. That's not really a bad thing....

At the initial sip, a gentle sweetness hits the tongue. And afterward, a warm peppery finish lingers.

Anyone else like this rum?

[forrest]

Anyone else like this rum?

i haven't had it yet. . . but that description is making my mouth water... Maybe i should crack my sample. . .

No i must submit to order!

[Berbician]

I've just bought a bottle of the "Port Mourant" Single Barrel and I'm very pleased with it. Actually, that's an understatement - I think it's magnificent.

I can well understand why it might not appeal to fans of the 12 year old or the 15 year old. PM is less sweet than the 15 year old, and much less sweet than the 12 year old. However, for a pre-dinner drink, it's up there with the best of them.

Incidentally, the current 12 year old is not as good, in my opinion, as the original 12 year old (King of Diamonds). They didn't just change the shape of the bottle, they changed the recipe as well!

[El Dorado]

As a bonus, I was offered the PM at the Demerara Rum Heritage Centre in East Bank Demerara. Sorry to say, while the single cask might appeal to some, I will still regard the ED 12 as my guiding star on the oceans of rum...

The Heritage centre is a really ambitious project by the DDL, and I encourage everybody to pay them a visit if in the area!

/fon_eti_que

Glad to know that I have been able to have a loyal follower of ED 12. Like I will tell people when sampling ED rums, if you want a rum that gives you a big mouth feel, leaving that chewy dried fruit flavour on your palate, smell like Christmas black (fruit) cake and lasts a life time then it can only be ED 12.

With respect to the Heritage Centre, I have been promised a number of artifacts of Guyanese rums. I am hoping that one day it can become a centre of rum history in Guyana. Thanks for your encouragement.