Well, that didn't take long.
I'm back... after having a taste neat, I offer these observations along with a disclaimer. I am a huge rum fan, not an expert though. I've read some of the write ups and noticed the tasting points that were mentioned, but I'm not sure if I have either the experience with rum tasting, or a refined enough palette to write anything meaningful, so I won't pretend. My absolute favorite rum so far is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, which delighted even my unenlightened senses, and so it is the standard that I use to compare all rums to so far. I have noted that on this board there are some ubiquitous favorites with which I have no experience with, however I intend to remedy that post haste. So for now, the layman's thoughts on Renegade Trinidad:
The bottle looks interesting enough, clear frosted glass, sort of a modern swept shape to it. I don't care much about bottles though. It has a plastic topped cork stopper for what it's worth. I guess I care about the cork.
The color is a deep reddish amber. It seemed to have medium thickness in the glass, thin legs developed on the sides of the glass.
It smelled mostly like rum, a little fruitiness along with a fairly strong sherry-like aftersmell. I was a bit disappointed, not so much by the potency of the sherry smell, but by the lack of complexity of the rum smell.
In the mouth, it did seem to thicken. I'm gonna pour another taste though before I continue in order to offer a very fresh perspective. It has a quality that I guess could be described as being bright and and aftertaste that seems slightly acrid. The sherry taste lingers, but is not overwhelming. It's alright. I don't think it tastes bad, but absent is the tasty line of surprises that materialize from a mouthful of Diplomatico. Sipping Diplomatico, to me is kind of like watching fireworks there's a procession of flavor. The Renegade, it tastes like rum. Like good rum, but not really any bonus taste activity going on.
In the throat, it is smooth and warm. The warmth is moderately pervasive, spreading to the chest and my tongue and lips tingle.
All in all, I think it's good. I wouldn't have spent $110.00 on it though. Maybe $45-$50. Probably good party fare for close friends. I am open to sharing this with any nearby rum cronies, especially if they bring something to help broaden my rum horizons. I will be replacing my freshly depleted Diplomatico, and I think I'll try to tackle a bottle of El Dorado, which seems to be well received around here, but what has really peaked my interest is Havana Club 15. It seems to be right up my alley, save for the enormous price tag and the possibility of legal action being taken against me. I'm told Toronto is lovely this time of year though.
Last edited by Scubakevdm; 07-19-2011 at 12:32 PM.
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