The guys at Rank Wildcat Spirits make their Sweet Crude Rum with three basic principles.
- No blackstrap molasses. They seek out sources of sugar closer to the beginning of the refinement process. While they don’t use sugar cane juice like true Rhum Agricole, they get pretty close and it’s evident in the final product.
- All natural flavor. No added sweeteners, flavors, or colors.
- Artisan-crafted. Claiming to be Louisiana’s smallest rum distillery, (a title that may be contested, since a few micro-distillers in New Orleans popped up in the last few years) Rank Wildcat made their own distillation still by hand (named Lulu), which get’s them serious props in my book.
- Nation: Louisiana, USA
- Color: Clear
- Aroma: What I can only assume is sugar cane. It’s grassy without being herby, sweet without being sharp. It’s ripe, thick, rich, and vegetal.
- Flavor: Smooth and balanced.
- Finish: Finishes with a quick burst of sugar cane before smoldering away.
- Notes: Easy to sip on with just an ice cube. Nothing is overwhelming or harsh. It’s balanced, if not a bit mild. I almost don’t want to finish this sentence… because it is really good… but it’s almost boring.
- Grade: B-
Find it Locally:
By the Bottle:
- Q Liquor
- Trader Joe’s
- Martin’s Wine Cellar
- Calandro’s Supermarket
By the Glass:
- Chimes East
- The Rum House
I do tastings with a wide mouth rocks glass with a slight taper because I like the way it feels in my hands. I start with 2oz, neat, then add an ice cube to bring out subtler flavors and aromas.