Yack Creek Blackstrap Rum Batch 007

Description

Following our ‘Exceptional Aussie Rum’ theme this month is a VERY small batch (only 105 bottles in total!) ‘Blackstrap’ rum from the Yack Creek Distillery in the little-known town of Yackandandah (yep, fun to say) in regional Victoria.

In true Rum Tribe style, this is the Blackstrap Rum Batch 007, a 100% single cask, pure rum with absolutely no added anything whatsoever and another different variant in the rum spectrum. So, what is Blackstrap Rum you ask? Well, interestingly enough there is no ‘officially’ recognised standard for what defines a ‘blackstrap’ rum. Loosely though it refers to a rum made using blackstrap molasses.

Blackstrap is a molasses that has had a high percentage of the sugar removed. During sugar refining process, crushed cane juice is boiled to remove excess water which causes sugar crystals to form. These sugar crystals are then separated from the mix and what is left over is molasses. Usually this boiling and separating process is carried out twice and the resultant ‘waste product’ is known as ‘regular’ molasses.  This is the molasses that’s used in the confectionary industry and contains about 70% sugar. Sometimes, the ‘regular’ molasses is boiled three times to separate out a higher percentage of sugar. This is ‘Blackstrap’, and it has a sugar content of around 40%. With such a lower sugar content, Blackstrap is a much more bitter molasses and is used in some foods such as baked beans and BBQ sauce.

So back to the rum – as I said before no legal definition of a what makes a Blackstrap Rum actually exists but historically, it has been used to describe many rums that are ‘black’ rums – very young rums that are coloured with caramel after distillation to imitate an aged rum. Sadly, this has seen the Blackstrap Rum ‘category’ to be viewed less than favourably by many.

Yack Creek Blackstrap Rum is definitely NOT in that category though. 100% all natural colouring from the wood it’s aged in, no added caramel or sugar. What you’re getting with Yack Creek Blackstrap Rum is a 100% single cask, pure rum with absolutely no added anything whatsoever.  We wouldn’t want it any other way!

This rum is made form a combination of two different fermentations and distillations. Around half is fermented and distilled brown syrup (high percentage sugar molasses)  distilled in a 1200l column still with 4 plates attached. The other half of the mix is fermented blackstrap molasses which is distilled in a 130l column still. The ‘Queens Hearts’ are collected from this distillation for inclusion in the Yack Creek Blackstrap Rum. (see our write-up on the Privateer ‘Queens Share’ for an explanation of the Queen’s Heart cut)

Our Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep walnut

Nose: Rich and lush. Sweet molasses notes, tropical fruit with vanilla custard and just a smidge of banana-ey funk. Some leather notes around the edges.

Palate: Lovely oily mouthfeel. Stewed fruit mince, chocolate, some honey plus coffee notes all wrapped up in a mild pepper sprinkle.

Finish: Finishes as it begins.. big, rich and lush. The pepper lingers throughout and lets those fruity, chocolatey and coffee notes peak through the cracks.

A rich and full bodied rum with complex flavours yet surprisingly little alcohol burn considering it’s only a smidge off 50% ABV.  Luxurious, complex and damn easy to drink! A bloody cracker!

From Yak Creek

Yack Creek Distillery is situated two kilometres out of the township of Yackandandah on acreage with the Yackandandah Creek to the east and the Stanley State forest to the south. The creek flows all year round and includes brown trout and the Murray Spiny Crayfish, Hence our logo was born from the Crayfish. Water for the Distillery comes from the Yackandandah Creek, being a relatively short catchment it is a soft water (not heavy in minerals). – Jamie

 

Some unintegrated oak comes across on the nose initially as light sawdust, allowed to breath this quickly dissipates.

Pleasant on the nose, aromas of chocolate, subtle hidden lavender, orange, vanilla custard background, hints of brown sugar, the sherry / red wine are present but barely, subtle furniture polish in the backend brought on by the blackstrap molasses all give a complex integration.

The palate gives an initial buttery soft fruit cake with the french oak cask influence present but not domineering with honey, orange and hint of lavender in the mid pallet.

Finish is a liquorice / aniseed tailing out to cask timber influence under the tongue with lavender subtly present.

About Yak Creek

Yack Creek Distillery was established in 2016 after 2 friends discussed business opportunities while sitting on a beach in Western Australia. Both had a passion for whisky and rum and decided to explore the possibilities of how they could make their own.

This idea became a hobby but soon developed into a business decision and thus an ambitious dream of creating a micro distillery. This list has since expanded to include vodka & gin which complement the product line.

Jamie  – Head Distiller – undertook a course in malting & brewing to refine his skills and experiment with different types of grain, molasses and barrels to create a product that he is now ready to release to the public. 

Yack Creek Distillery is situated 2km outside the township of Yackandandah on acreage with the Creek to the east and the Stanley State forest to the south. The creek flows all year round and includes brown trout and the Murray Spiny Crayfish. Hence the logo was born from the Crayfish head.           

The distillery uses a 1000 litre Copper & glass tower still with stainless columns and a 130 litre stainless & cooper modular high column still. The 2 stills allow flexibility to manufacture different products and enable experimentation. All neutral spirits are created on premise from Australian sourced grain and molasses and our young orchard will eventually assist in supplying our flavours. The Yack Creek water is soft water derived from the Stanley forest hills.

The aim is to keep the distillery a micro business that will produce small batches for release throughout the year.