Overview
Brand: Privateer, Letter of Marque series
Origin: Privateer Distilling, Ipswich, MA, USA (picked by Florida Rum Society, The Rum Caucus, Friends of Rum Tennessee)
Still: Pot
Age: 3 years, 7 months
Finish: Used Rum
ABV: 58%
After a lengthy and much-needed break, we're back to rum reviewing! Today's feature is a single cask from our friends at Privateer, selected by other friends in a multi-state cask pick.
Privateer Letter of Marque "Triumvirate" is a single cask expression of a molasses-based rum, produced using a pot still at the distillery based in Ipswich, MA. This spent 3 years and 7 months aging in an ex-Rum cask before being bottled at 58% ABV.
The rum was selected by members of 3 different rum groups: Florida Rum Society, The Rum Caucus (Alabama), and Friends of Rum Tennessee– our friends from Nashville and Knoxville.
Appearance
Gold, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Butterscotch, anise seed, almond butter, sea foam, chocolate ice cream
Palate
Toasted pecans, créme brûlee, twist tea biscuit, anise seed
Finish
Long, dry, warm; vanilla bean, oak tannins, black licorice, hint of fennel
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Triumvirate is a solid rum that stays inline with what I've come to expect– and enjoy– from Privateer: a robust but decipherable dram that does not pull its punches.
Rich butterscotch meets chocolate ice cream, anise, and almond butter on the nose, lending to toasted pecans, créme brûlee, and biscuits on the palate. It's strong on the tastebuds, leaving little doubt as to where this rum comes from. The long and dry finish is warm, yielding vanilla bean, black licorice, and a touch of fennel.
This is certainly enjoyable, but leans a little too far into the anise/fennel side of the equation. I've enjoyed this a bit more when used in an old fashioned, as it stands up well to a big cube and a touch of simple syrup.