Overview

Brand: Krewe Exclusive

Origin: Rollins Distillery, Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA

Still: Pot

Age: NAS

Finish: n/a

ABV: 52.35%

Most father-and-son companies tend to be law firms, medical practices, or contracting businesses. For Paul Rollins and his son Patrick, they opted for a distillery. The Rollins family's rum journey started in Scotland, where Paul was stationed during his time in the US Navy. He researched the operations of a local whisky industry in Fettercairn, and created an interest in spirits production. Later during Patrick's time in college, he wanted to start a brewery, which transitioned to a distillery after discussing with his dad.

In 2012, Paul and Patrick opened the Rollins Distillery in Gulf Breeze, Florida, just across the bay from Pensacola. For the last 13 years, Rollins has been producing predominantly molasses-based rums, with a focus on the local industry in the Sunshine State. I had a chance to tour their space with my dad during the holidays last year, and saw first-hand the craft and care they employ in their production process.

Rollins Distillery bay of a warehouse building
Exterior of the Rollins Distillery in Gulf Breeze
Rum bottles stacked on a wooden bar top
Some of the many Rollins products on display

The Krewe Exclusive line is a series of limited edition releases featuring some of the Rollins' more experimental creations. This Krewe Exclusive Cane Juice rum was created from fresh-pressed cane of multiple varietals harvested from the Presley farm in 2021; the resulting juice was processed through Rollins' pot still. This was bottled unaged at 52.35% ABV, yielding 216 bottles total; I have bottle #15.

Appearance

Clear, medium viscosity

Nose

Fresh sugarcane, vinegar, vanilla syrup, nail polish, cooked seaweed, olive brine

Palate

Fresh pear, fresh-pressed sugarcane, shishito peppers, white pepper

Finish

Medium length, grassy, bright; sugarcane, vanilla syrup, pear, papaya

Rating: 7/10

Summary

While it's not rhum agricole (legally), this Krewe Exclusive Cane Juice rum can stand up to the best of them. It features the grassy, slightly peppery, raw notes of the sugarcane used to produce the rum, but has unique highlights that set it apart.

Sugarcane and vanilla syrup show up prominently, with stinging vinegar and nail polish hitting strong on the nose. Tasting the rum, I get a burst of fresh pear, shishito pepper, and white pepper alongside the cane. It is a touch hot as it transitions to the grassy finish, which circles back to the pear and adds papaya for a rarely seen fruity side to a sugarcane rum.

For a one-off distillation run, I'm very impressed with this product. The folks at Rollins did a fantastic job with an infamously finicky base material, so hats off to them! I'll be cherishing this bottle, and may try it in a Ti' Punch in the not-too-distant future. If you're in the Pensacola area, I highly suggest making plans to visit Rollins in Gulf Breeze and support their operation.

Further Reading