Overview
Brand: Privateer
Origin: Privateer Distilling, Ipswich, MA, USA
Still: Pot/Column Hybrid
Age: 4 years
Finish: New American Oak
ABV: 50%
When most people think "bottled in bond" (or BiB), they will likely be thinking of a bourbon or other American whiskey. Privateer's Andrew Cabot is working to change that with their latest release.
Rewinding to the late 19th century, the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was intended to combat the adulteration of whiskey, and protect its authenticity; however, the regulation can apply to any spirit. The following criteria must be met in order for a spirit to be labeled as bottled in bond:
- It must be the product of one distillation season (January–June or July–December) by one distiller at one distillery
- It must be aged at least 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse
- It must be bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV
Privateer Bottled in Bond adheres to all these criteria, allowing the label to meet the legal requirements of BiB. The rum is molasses-based and produced via Privateer's hybrid pot & column still during one season; then, it is aged for 4 years in new American oak casks. Once the constituent casks are blended together, this expression is bottled at 50% ABV.
Appearance
Amber, low viscosity
Nose
Vanilla, cola spices, nutmeg, butterscotch, star anise
Palate
Dark chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, black licorice, cola spices
Finish
Long, warm, woody; oak, vanilla, star anise, black peppercorn
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Privateer Bottled in Bond is a solid workhorse rum that offers a clean, no frills profile. The 100 proof point works well for this blend, allowing the cask to impart flavors while preventing over-oaking.
Spices lead the nose in vanilla, cola, nutmeg, and star anise, with a butterscotch showing up later. The palate continues with dark chocolate at the front, and black licorice joining some repeat notes. A long, warm, and woody finish yields oak, vanilla, and peppercorn that is a touch bitter as the flavors trail off.
This is overall very enjoyable, and a rum that I could enjoy neat, in a simple cocktail like an old fashioned, or in a more involved recipe. I'm excited to see this hit the shelves and hear how everyone else likes this new expression.