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Karu Distilling Specialty Cask #1 ‘Rumbledore’ – May 2024

To say we’ve been looking forward to May’s ‘Rum of the Month’ for over a year now is a bit of an understatement! Our incredible Karu/Rum Tribe collaboration, code named ‘RUMBLEDORE!’ has finally been bottled and is ready for the ‘Tribe.

  • Matured in a Grand Marnier cask (we think this is a first!)
  • Filled with a single cask chosen by Karu and Rum Tribe
  • Bottled at a Batch Strength of 55%abv
  • First ever Karu Specialty Cask expression

Now Nick and Ally Ayres have been mates of the Rum Tribe since we kicked off back in 2020. In fact, they are OG members of the ‘Tribe and we’ve been thrilled to watch them win medal after medal, award after award for their spirits – and of course, especially their pure, single rum – Outcask!

Nick and Ally and I have been talking about ‘doing something really special’ for around 2 years now – waiting and watching for what that ‘special something’ would be. Then at the start of March last year I got a call from Karu saying they had found that ‘special something’ and I had better get down there quick smart! I arrived about 5 days later and was greeted by a beaming Nick and Ally (and Seb!) proudly showing off a still wet Grand Marnier cask. Ta-DA!

For those unaware – Grand Marnier is a blend of barrel-aged congac and orange liqueur and sugar. The mix is then further matured in oak casks – which is what Rumbledore is.

I am here to tell you; I have NEVER smelt such a lusciously irresistible cask in all my years of sticking my nose into small wooden holes. I just can’t describe how luscious this cask smelled. How sweet-and sticky-and-orangy-and-honey-y and utterly irresistible this thing was. I almost wanted to climb inside!

This was, indeed, the ‘special something’ we had been waiting for.

Now we had to name the cask. You see, Nick and Ally don’t just number their casks – they name them. Usually a topical rum pun. Barilyn Munroe, Edwood Woodward, Craig Stavid to name a few that feature in their barrel racks. After a while we decided on ‘Rumbledore’ and so it became!

And then came the onerous job of selecting what we’d put in it. It’s truly a dirty job to go through cask after cask with the distillers deciding what we’d like to fill it with. But we put our shoulders into the task, and by unanimous decision we all chose a single cask of Outcask rum named ‘Barol Caskin’ which was (at the time) just over 2 and a quarter year old.

So, in the sticky end-of-summer heat in the Devils Wilderness we filled Rumbledore with the contents of Barol Caskin and put it away to let time, and the Devil’s Wilderness climate do its thing. It ended up spending just a little over 12 months in the Grand Marnier cask to allow it to catch the very last legs of the 2024 summer heat before being partially decanted at 3.3yrs old total and bottled at a generous batch strength of 55% abv. (Cut with pure, Devils Wilderness rainwater).

This rum is a whole lot of firsts for Karu. It’s the premier of their new look labeling. It’s their very first ever ‘Specialty Cask’ expression. The first time they’ve used Outcask as a base for further experimentation – and you can take it to the bank that this won’t be the last of the ‘Specialty Cask’ Rums from Karu!

It won’t be the last time we see Rumbledore, either. They have refilled it with more Outcask rum (although not a single cask this time – rather the Outcask Core blend). Will we be seeing how it progresses and have it back sometime down the track? – you can bet your sweet booty on it!

Our ‘Members Extra’ for May is a MYSTERY – Our first Rum Tribe Mystery Rum and its only $99!

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: Just so much deliciousness going on in this nose. There’s orange peel and honey, fairy floss and aniseed. Wafts of black tea leaves and doughnut dough drift through evening jasmine and fruit salad.

Palate: Wow – big and palate coating – with an initial kick of pepper that settles right down (the smallest ‘bloop’ of water eliminates it completely). Big fruity num-nums come bursting out with a delicious vanilla-creaminess that keeps those big 50%abv shoulders right in check.

Finish: Lovely, looooovely finish. It’s as chewy as bubble gum, rich and round, with big sultana notes, licorice allsorts and black coffee, as a sense of the citrus curls in and out.

Whilst this rum doesn’t SCREAM ‘Jaffas’ or ‘Terry’s Chocolate Orange’ – once you learn how it was finished, it all makes perfect sense! There’s just so many layers of flavour here. A cornucopia of fruit salad, candied peel, creamy-vanilla-caramels, aniseed-y and coffee notes – all the way through to floral aromas. This is BIG AUSSIE PURE SINGLE RUM with a European twist (… and a heart of absolute gold!)!

  • PRICE : $129

  • ABV : 55%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (NSW)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

FROM KARU DISTILLERY

Hey Rum Tribers!

This is the first stop on our specialty cask release for Outcask Rum and, what a stop it is and I’m excited you’re here for it.

We took a single cask of our fully matured Outcask Rum and aged it for a further year in a Grand Marnier cask to see what differences it brings to our staple favourite.

What to expect is a richer aroma that you typically get from fortified or liqueur barrels with subtle sweet citrus of orange with candied spices. I have made a hefty dent in my bottle which is a good indicator we’re onto something good.”

Tasting Notes:

The Grand Marnier cask brings a new layer of sweetness to the aroma of Outcask Rum. Alongside subtle candied citrus, a hint of vanilla and warm spices whilst still keeping true to the notes of tropical fruit and creaminess from the original rum.

ABOUT KARU DISTILLERY

Launched in 2018 Karu Distillery by husband and wife team Nick and Ally, the focus has always been to create quality spirits that highlight the science and art of the distillation process.

Based in the Devils Wilderness NSW the range has grown to include Affinity a contemporary Australian gin, Lightning a navy strength gin, Morita a chipotle vodka and, of course, Outcask – their delicious golden rum. 

Karu is fast becoming one of Australia’s most awarded distilleries, in 2021 Lightning gin took out the Trophy for best contemporary gin at the International Wines & Spirits Competition.

Dead Reckoning Three Continent Blend (TCB)

Is this new Dead Reckoning Rum a 3 continent indy rum bottling or a science project? Well both! Follow along with us:

  • Rum sourced from 3 countries (Guyana, Vietnam, South Africa)
  • The Guyanese rum is a 3-still blend (is this a blend of a blend?)
  • The rums (aged between 3 and 5 years) then married into an ex-Makers Mark Bourbon cask
  • That Barrel was then rolled into the Adelaide sun every day for 18 months
  • Some crazy angel share/ABV magic happened
  • Bottled at a perfect 50.3%

We are thrilled to present the latest Dead Reckoning super juicy fruit, fruit salad of a “hot house rum” – The Dead Reckoning 3 Continent Blend!

Now we know that Dead Reckoning has been producing some absolutely sensational rums up in the Adelaide Hills. We’ve also seen that the peculiar micro-climate of the area causes the ABV of casks matured here to INCREASE over time. The incredibly low average humidity of the area means that water is drawn out of the casks at a faster rate than the alcohol. With over 12 degrees difference in average minimum and maximum temps in summer (over 8 degrees difference in winter), combined with the frequent temperature and barometric extreme events of Adelaide means any cask maturing here is really working!

But what if the natural bizarre climate and its effects got you wondering… what if MORE? What if you were to somehow turbo-charge this ‘Adelaide Dry Aging’ phenomenon?  What if you could somehow ramp-up an already insane maturation environment? 

What if… you put a barrel of rum on a wheeled rack and rolled it out into the Afternoon sunshine every day for… let’s say… 18months? (Yes this is what actually happened!) Not only would you use the heat of the direct sun to warm it (up to 52 degrees as it turned out!) but the twice-daily movement of the barrel would add agitation to the list of factors ‘boosting’ this ‘hands-on’ finishing treatment.

But first – you’d need a rum with shoulders big enough to take this… abuse? … torture?… SCIENCE! Justin had already Mhoba and Sampan in mind as he’d never heard of a blend from these countries (South Africa and Vietnam) before. However, he felt this pair needed a third with some real ‘oomph’ to give the blend some muscle. And a 3-still blend of Guyanese Rum at 68%abv was just the steroid this gym-junkie-to-be needed. In the end the ratio was 8% Guyana, 56% Mhoba and 36% Sampan. So this is a blend of both molasses and cane-juice based rums from three continents – hence Three Continent Blend or TCB.

These rums already ranged between two and 5 years of age prior to their ‘Dead Reckoning’ treatment.  They were married into an ex-Makers Mark Bourbon cask and tortured for a further 18 months under Justin’s hellish regime. Every afternoon the rack was wheeled over to the roll-a-door which was (un) ceremoniously opened to allow the full hit of the afternoon sun to smash it (in summer) and warm it’s icicle-ey  (well.. not quite icicle-ey I suppose) bones in winter. Once the sun went down, it was wheeled away and put to bed for the night. I’m not sure if Justin read it a story, or tucked it in – but I’m sure it went to bed each day knowing it was truly loved J

And so what was the result of this ‘Hot House’ treatment?  Well firstly, and objectively, a massive 27% angels share by volume accompanied by a 7.8% increase in ABV. Yep, the blend went into it’s finishing cask at 42.5% and has come out the other end at 50.3%. Both of those numbers are really quite astounding. But, when all the scientific dust is settled, what’s really important is … what does it taste like?

a hand-made, single-barrel, family-run, farm-to-bottle, artisanal-production Cachaça

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: Wow, well first of all it’s a HUGE hit of yummy yummy fruit salad. Then there’s brown sugar, sultanas and subtle wafts of sweet “polythene glue making everything so sweet” (to quote Brisbane’s Regurgitator – a much better earworm). It’s just so big and sweet and… nosey. I could sit here nosing this for a week! It’s all-at-once earthy, floral, meaty AND fruity sweet!

Palate: The mix of still types gives this a creamy mouthfeel, but still a sense of ‘crispness’ of the column still. A medium pepper hit – but that tames very quickly and is much subdued by the second sip. There’s more funky tropical fruit here, but also liquorice, sweet caramel and even some very tame leather notes.

Finish: That big sweet funky ester train just keeps on a-rollin’. The pot still percentage keeps the oilyness going well into the finish – real chewy stuff. So many sweet fruits and lolly-memories tumble and spin and dash in and out.

This is a big, juicy and utterly delightful rum that is also a bit of a chameleon on your palate. Just when you think you’ve got it pegged, you pour another glass and find a new note that reminds you of something almost-forgotten from your childhood. In the subsequent drams since first penning these notes I’ve also picked up milk-bottle lollies, honey-jumble biscuits, tinned pineapple, sherbet and even a bubble gum from my very early days as a kindy kid in Switzerland who’s name I’ve forgotten – but I certainly remember that taste. It’s a rum you’re going to want another of to see if you did taste that… and another just to be sure.

  • PRICE : $139

  • ABV : 50.3%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Guyana / Vietnam / South Africa / Australia (SA)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

FROM DEAD RECKONING

Welcome to Australian hot house rum – otherwise known as Dead reckoning TCB.

I wanted to create a blend using three rums from three distilleries from three different continents. I also wanted to use Cane juice as well as molasses based rums. The Rums used for the blend was Guyana/South Africa/Vietnam. To my knowledge, I have not seen a blend with Mhoba or Sampan before. With the 3 stills used from Guyana it’s a blend within a blend. 

The Blend ratio : Guyana 8%, Mhoba 56%, Sampan 36%

Bourbon cask aged – 2-5 yrs Tropical & Australian dry aged 1 1/2 years 27% angels share.

A 3 still Guyanese blend – Port Mourant double wooden vat single retort / Enmore Coffee twin column  / Diamond Versailles single wooden vat single retort ) bourbon cask tropical aged Molasses based, Mhoba pot still rhum American oak African aged cane juice , Sampan rhum column still pure sugar cane juice

The South African and the Vietnamese just didn’t have enough backbone to it when I was playing around with the blend, it needed something with balls so the Guyana blend although it was only a minor component definitely gave it the foundations I was looking for

For this experiment, I decided to age a barrel of Rum in my steel sided garage in Adelaide South Australia. The Barrel used was a level three char 200 L EX makers mark bourbon Barrel.

I made a barrel rack on wheels and wheeled the barrel into the afternoon sun, every single afternoon for the 18-month period.

Then overnight it was brought inside where it naturally cooled down, its effect – opening and closing & contracting the internal oak barrel grain. Another factor to take into consideration is whilst it was wheeled twice a day, the rum was agitated / sloshed around.

Internal Barrel temperatures reached a maximum of 52° and a minimum of 2° over the ageing period of 1 1/2 years. In the shed – Lowest humidity reading was 15%, highest 88%. As well as a huge 7.8% increase in ABV over the 18 month period.

As an Indy bottler, it’s nice to be able to play around with things, try different blends, experiment and ultimately leave your fingerprint on a release. The end result on this experiment is a spirit that tastes well beyond its true age, rich viscous with layers of Stonefruit flavours.

ABOUT DEAD RECKONING

Justin Boseley, has immersed himself in rum for the past 20 years; a journey starting as a deck scrubbing lad with a thirst for Rum and adventure culminated in him becoming a Chief Officer; driving billionaire’s mega yachts around the world. This life of salty seadog adventure took him to Rum’s heartland, the Caribbean islands for 6 months a year, every year.

When he wasn’t at the helm of a mega-yacht he could be found hanging off a bar or at a distillery sampling the best the Caribbean rum scene had to offer. Upon ending his days at sea there was only one thing he knew better that navigating around the world’s oceans- that was Rum. For 10 years Justin has scoured the globe discovering & importing the world’s best rums into Australia.

Dead Reckoning is Australia’s first independent rum bottler, and each release from his bond-store is an anticipated event that never fails to please!  The Rum Tribe is incredibly proud of our close association with Justin and the Dead Reckoning brand.

ABOUT MHOBA

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Onderberg district of Mpumalanga and amidst our own sugarcane fields, you can find The MHOBA Rum Distillery: An artisan distillery where we make 10 different types of Pure Single Estate Sugarcane Rhum or Pure Single Sugarcane Rhum.

Unlike most traditional rum, which is made from molasses which is the by-product of refined sugar production, MHOBA rum is made from pure sugarcane juice. Our rum is 100% pot distilled from fermented sugarcane juice and contains no additives, colourings or flavour modifiers and is therefore termed Pure Single Rum; The rum equivalent of Single Malt Whiskey.

What makes MHOBA rhum even more unique is that the whole rum making process occurs on our sugar estate. From planting our own organic sugarcane right through to hand filling and labelling our bottles after distilling in our self-designed and self-built stills, MHOBA Rhum is 100% rum that is made by us.

ABOUT DISTILLERIE INDOCHINE

A team combining more than 35 years of experience in the field of wines and spirits, but above all, a group of friends dedicated to bringing together in the same project, their love for rum and their attachment to Vietnam. Antoine Poircuitte, the Master Distiller, driven by his passion and experience, wanted to bring back to taste a family tradition in order to elaborate the best Vietnamese agricultural rum.

The one and only place in Vietnam where you will be able to discover a French still and a traditional ageing method surrounded by a pristine beach! It is the ideal place for all lovers of Artisan rum who want to enjoy their tastings in a heavenly setting.

The harvesting time of Sampan production takes place at the end of each day. Harvesting done by hand means a low per-hectare yield but enhances a better juice concentration. To ensure maximum freshness and a high-quality juice cane, the canes are always delivered within 12 hours of harvesting, directly at our production site.

ABOUT DIAMOND DISTILLERY GUYANA

In 1993, there were only three distilleries still operating in Guyana (Diamond Distillery, Uitvlugt Distillery and Enmore Distillery). By 2000 only Diamond Distillery remained. Luckily (for the rum world), the stills and expertise from the Uitvlugt and Enmore Distilleries were transported and housed at the Diamond Distillery. These 4 ‘Heritage Stills’ (three of them wooden!) are still in use today at Diamond Distillery. And the Guyanese component of TCB is a blend of all of those stills!

Mad Monkey Barossa Cask – March 2024

Well it’s been a long time in the making, but we’ve finally done it! A RUM TRIBE EXCLUSIVE collaboration with those South Aussie soulsters of sublimation, the Adelaide angels of extraction, prehensile purveyors of PURE SINGLE RUM…has finally come of age!

Our own Mad Monkey Barossa cask is here… and it’s a BEAUT!

The Mad Monkey EX-Barossa Cask is made from NSW Northern Rivers molasses (from the Condong, Broadwater, and Harwood Sugar Mills) fermented using a mix of wild and commercial ale yeast. Double distilled in ‘Albert’ – Mad Monkeys Pot Still. Set down to age in American oak, ex-Barossa wine cask for 3 years and one month and finally bottled for the Rum Tribe at 43%abv.

Now we’ve featured Mad Monkey before – but never one of their aged rums. Their ‘Baked Apple’ is a big favourite of the Rum Tribe cocktail crowd but we’re stoked to finally be able to present a pure single rum from these awesome guys.

Now, this may only be Mad Monkey’s 4th aged rum release – but don’t let that fool you. These guys were running a full FIVE years before they released their first aged rum. They didn’t rush to market with a hurried 2yo, but rather perfected their fermentation and distillation before committing to the barrel.

Mad Monkey aren’t afraid to experiment with their rums. They use a mixture of wild yeast form their own ‘dunder and muck’ and commercial ale yeast in their Adelaide distillery. Interestingly, they are also presently experimenting with using bees as a way to collect wild yeasts from their local area.

The Ron Cubaney 15 year old Gran Reserva is possibly the hardest to find of all the Ron Cubaney Rums.

Our Tasting Notes:

Unfortunately, yours truly has come down with the dreaded ‘Rona during writing this and I have completely lost all sense of taste and smell. Luckily, Kirk Pinner from Island Coast Rum has been visiting Brisvegas and has kindly taken on the role of ‘guest rummer’ for the month.

Nose: With spiced cloves, all spice, sultanas, light golden syrup and fruit cake with a touch of sweet soft banana goes nicely with the golden appearance.

Palate: Easy to sip at 43% ABV and cools nicely with an ice cube on a warm evening. A balanced combination of burnt orange, sultanas and sugary spice.

Finish: A hint of aniseed, cloves, light and sweet brown sugar, and gentle bitterness with all spice coming through.

  • PRICE : $135

  • ABV : 43%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (SA)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

FROM MAD MONKEY

Embark on an extraordinary journey with this batch release exclusive for our esteemed mates at the “Rum Tribe.”

Aged for 3 years and 1 month in Ex Barossa Valley Red Wine Casks, this exquisite spirit embodies unparalleled craftsmanship. Crafted with a blend of wild and ale yeast, it offers a sensory exploration like no other.

Delight in the tantalizing aroma of orange, dates, and minerals, paving the way for a palate of phenolic richness, tobacco undertones, and the sweetness of dried apricots. Its soft, oily texture unfolds into a spicy finish, leaving a lingering warmth.

Double Pot Distilled and matured in an American Oak barrel & seasoned with Barossa Valley Red Wine, this non-chill filtered creation is a testament to purity. With zero additives, save for reverse osmosis water to achieve perfection, each 700ml bottle at 43%abv reflects the epitome of indulgence, beckoning to be savoured neat, over ice, or any preferred manner.

Tasting notes.

Nose: Orange, Dates and minerals

Palate:  Phenolic, Tobacco, Dried Apricots

Mouthfeel:  Soft oily open and spicy finish.

Method: Double Pot Distilled

Yeast: Muck & Ale yeast

Maturation: 3yrs 1 mth

Barrel: American Oak & Barossa Valley Red wine

Zero additives except reverse osmosis water to break back to bottle strength. Non chill filtered. Designed to be sipped neat, over ice or however you damn please.

ABOUT MAD MONKEY

Way back in 2018, long before global pandemics and capacity restrictions were a thing, two monkeys were stumbling along their own crooked paths, dwelling on their dreams of bringing a slice of the Caribbean to little old South Australia.

Through sheer serendipity, the two monkeys’ paths crossed deep in the Barossa Valley, at an annual Australian Distiller’s Conference. After bonding over their shared ideals, and comparing their varied skill sets (and with the aid of some of Australia’s finest spirits) two Caribbean fever dreams began to manifest themselves as one…

5 years later, we present to you Mad Monkey – South Australia’s first dedicated rum distillery, nestled deep in the heart of Dudley Park. Using a mix of open fermentations, specialty yeasts and a little black magic, we aim to introduce our world to yours.

Hellfire Rum – February 2024

This month it is all about the Hellfire! Hellfire Bluff Distillery is a Tasmanian family-run farm-to-bottle producer recognised internationally for their own-grown potato vodka. In the last few years, they have been branching out and we’re stoked to be featuring their fourth Rum release bottled EXCLUSIVELY for the Tribe – The Hellfire Bluff Hellfire Rum RT01.  

Hellfire Rum RT01 is a molasses-based rum, with the base product trucked down from sunny QLD to the Apple Isle (Tassie grows a lot of great produce, but sugar cane just ain’t one of ‘em!). The water used in the ferment is the purest rainwater in the world ‘flown in’ straight from Antarctica and the Southern Pacific Ocean! It’s a column-distilled rum, coming out of spirit run at around 85%abv. Cool-Climate, sea side matured for 3 years in 100l ex-Apera and ex-Makers Mark Bourbon casks right on the SE corner of Tasmania. Bottled exclusively for the Rum Tribe at 43% (cut with that sweet, pure Tassie rainwater!).

Because it’s such a fantastic story, with such a fantastic end-product, we’re going to offer members a chance to taste their world renowned Vodka as well (the spirit that started it all for them). Why is it special you may ask? Well it’s one of only TWO distilleries in the Southern Hemisphere making vodka with potatoes, and one of a handful in the world.

Hellfire Rum

Tasmania isn’t the first place you think of when you think of rum – but it does make sense that some distilleries in the Apple Isle are starting to turn their attention to rum making. In the same way the Tasmanian climate emulates Scotland for ageing whisky (inspiring the ‘rebirth’ of the Australian whisky industry in the ‘90’s), a vast amount of rum is cold-aged in massive warehouses in Europe – which, obviously, Tasmanian climate can resemble too! We’re truly blessed with so many different aging climates enabling our country to turn out so many different and interesting rums!

Now whilst Tassie is probably best known for it’s whisky production, there is a growing stable of distillers down there who have turned their attention to other spirits – including rum. We’ve already tried (and loved… we sold out!) the Island Coast Rum from Tassie – and this month it’s Hellfire Bluff Distillery’s turn to slake the Rum Tribe’s thirst with their wonderful Hellfire Rum.

Hellfire Bluff distillery didn’t set out to make rum when it was first built back in 2015. In fact, it was built by the Daly family in order to diversify their potato farm business by using the 20% of potatoes that are rejected for sale simply because they ‘look funny’ (and subsequently passed off as cow fodder). They have set up one of the only 2 distilleries in the southern hemisphere making potato vodka. 

In 2020 when a certain virus shut down everything – the Daly’s used it as a chance to further diversify. Whilst a lot of distilleries went in the direction of producing alcohol for hand sanitizer – Hellfire decided to go with rum! Why rum? Well firstly the Daly family loves rum and secondly, at the time there was no one making rum in Tassie. It seemed like a no-brainer.

And last but certainly not least – these are not the standard 500ml Hellfire bottles- but just for the Rum Tribe, Hellfire have bottled for us in 700ml bottles. And in doing so we’ve completely cleaned them out of rum until at least after March!  The Rum Tribe is THIRSTY!

Hellfire Rum
Not just any vodka, only 1 of 2 Vodka’s made from potatoes in the Southern Hemisphere and one of a handful in the world.

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: A very ‘brown’ nose – not very fruity, but more chocolate, espresso coffee and salted caramel with dusty oak notes sprinkled liberally there. There’s definitely a sweet and salty seaside influence here.

Palate: Nice and easy on the sip with that 43% abv very well integrated. Dried fruit jumps out on the palate much more so than is noticeable in the nose. Sultanas, raisins and mixed peel, as well as a nice nutty-nougat note – all drizzled with vanillary custard

Finish:  Sweet espresso coffee with crisp dark chocolate takes a tumble with some salted-caramel, cola notes and just the merest hint of pepper at the back of the palate as it fades.

A seriously easy drinking – yet very interesting and complex rum that will be just as loved by those new to good rum as the ‘old hands’. It’s not a funk-forward rum, there’s way more nuts and dark coffee than there is funky over-ripe fruit. It’s all about those ‘bitter-sweet’ notes to me – the dark chocolate, espresso coffee and nuts – all with a very subtle salty backdrop that can only be attributed to the seaside aging. Lovely!

  • PRICE : $119

  • ABV : 43%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (TAS)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Hellfire Rum

FROM HELLFIRE BLUFF DISTILLERY

Hey Rum Tribe!

We are so excited that our little potato farm distillery has been chosen for this month’s release. The Hellfire team has great passion for our small batch rum releases, and we think Rum Tribe has our best release yet!

Fermented, distilled, matured and bottled on site at our distillery on the rugged and remote southeast coast of Tasmania. This special release was barrel aged for 3 years, starting maturation in a Bourbon cask and finishing in an Apera cask.

First impressions on the nose are charred oak & tobacco, with dessert-like sweetness of raisin & custard.

A golden palate reveals walnuts balanced with a praline sweetness, rounded out with a hint of bourbon.

The finish is subtle yet long, with light cedar and a gradual reveal of pecan nougat.

Our cellar door is always open on the southeast coast of Tasmania, We hope you can come say hello to us one day soon!

Thanks – Ruby & The Hellfire Team

ABOUT HELLFIRE BLUFF DISTILLERY

Perched above the rugged expanse of Hellfire Bluff on Tasmania’s southeastern coast lies Daly Farm, the birthplace of Hellfire Bluff Distillery. More than 30 years ago, the Daly family hand-planted their inaugural potato crop, a humble beginning that now sees them supplying potatoes to retailers across Tasmania. Unconventional as far as distillery origins go, their journey unfolded as they pursued a dream of crafting distinctive spirits and adding value to the potatoes cultivated on their farm.

The distillery’s inception marked the introduction of their premium Potato Vodka, a traditional-style spirit that stands out as one of the few in Australia crafted from potatoes. This unique creation earned them the title of Best Australian Varietal Vodka at the 2022 World Vodka Awards.

Fueling their passion for crafting top-tier spirits, Hellfire Bluff Distillery expanded its repertoire to include small-batch Tasmanian Gins, highly coveted Liqueurs, Ready-to-Drink offerings, and cool-climate Tasmanian Rum. Emphasizing quality ingredients, the entire product line utilizes pristine local Tasmanian rainwater harvested on the farm. Along their journey, Hellfire has garnered acclaim at esteemed national and global competitions, amassing over 40 medals, 17 of which are gold. Notably, their Summer Floral Gin secured the title of Australia’s Best Contemporary Gin at the 2021 World Gin Awards.

Dead Reckoning South Pacific – January 2024

Well welcome to 2024! Happy New Year Tribe and we are off and racing with a huge EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN RELEASE to bring in the new year! The Dead Reckoning South Pacific

A ten-year-old, muscat cask, 100% tropically aged, single blended rum from the legendary South Pacific Distillery in Fiji…bring on the Dead Reckoning South Pacific!

The Dead Reckoning South Pacific – is a bit of a dichotomy.  The first impression is of one of a HUGE rum that absolutely CHARGES out of the bottle and rams into your olfactory system as you open it for the first time. It’s just such a, well, BIG smell it’s almost a little disconcerting imagining how it’s going to hit the palate…and yet when you do take your first sip, what strikes you is just how immensely well behaved this Fabulous Fijian is!      

Dead Reckoning South Pacific

Sometimes a rum has a story that defies belief. Sometimes a rum is ‘just right’ when an indy bottler finds it. Sometimes it needs nothing more – just a qualified eye in the right place at the right time… and a little bit of luck of course. This is the story of such a rum. Distilled in 1994 at South Pacific Distillery – a blend of both [‘double thumper’] pot and column still rum. It was tropically aged in Fiji in Australian Muscat Casks (from Charles Sturt Winery in Wagga Wagga to be precise!) for 10 years. In 2004, these casks were married into a single stainless steel tank. The tank was then shipped to an Amsterdam rum warehouse where it was promptly forgotten about. 

Forgotten about, that is, until in 2022 (a full 18 years later!) when a certain Justin Boseley was snooping around the dusty back corners of said warehouse sniffing out unusual rums (he’s like a bloody truffle-pig in a bond-store, people!). I like to imagine he climbed over a few racks of barrels, before pulling back a dusty tarp to reveal this mysterious stainless vessel. I also like to imagine the smile that formed when he cracked the lid and first smelled the precious cargo it held.

Normally, at this point Justin would put the tank on a boat, sail it to Adelaide where he would finish it in a cask or casks he felt would improve the flavour in the dry Adelaide heat. For example, last time we offered a South Pacific Distillery Dead Reckoning (the 21 year old Mutiny South Pacific, back in 2021) Justin had finished it in Cream Apera Casks in Adelaide for 12 months.  This time though – for the first time – Justin had found a rum that was absolutely ready to rock and roll just as it was. So he bottled it onsite in Amsterdam and then sent it to Europe and the USA as part of his first onslaught into these huge markets.

Now we’re big fans and good friends of the Dead Reckoning brand – and it’s this ongoing friendship that has allowed us to received an allocation of an otherwise Europe-USA only release (there is only 1240 bottles worldwide). For the Dead Reckoning collectors – note the foil-sealed cork on this rather than the wax seal screw-top used on the Australian-bottled releases!

Dead Reckoning South Pacific
The only rum EVER to come out of NSW powerhouse distillery Corowa!

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: So much going on here – and every time you go back you get something new! Gingerbread a-plenty at first, but then sultanas, bananas and pawpaw – all mashed up rather than funkily over-ripe. There’s candied peel there too… and cloves… and biscuit spices… and then…

Palate: Lovely sweet and lusciously tropical. Just the merest smidge of heat at first but the succulent sweetness quickly extinguishes any fire. Huge, voluptuous and syrupy fruit notes coat the palate like render as vanilla-ey custard notes dollop on for the ride.      

Finish: The finish backs up the nose and palate admirably – there’s no disappointing ‘fizzle out’ on this back end. Thunderous barrels of chewy dried dates, liquorice, black coffee and toffee roll on and on, bumping over funky fruit notes and more of that [delicious IMHOP] ginger nut bickie spice. Flavour-wise this is a mammoth rum – so much to be lip-smacked and tooth-sucked out of this offering from Dead Reckoning. It’s truly a gentle giant though – it gives a warm yet considerate hug, it’s affable and it’s easily approachable by both rum newbie AND total-rum-geek.

Seriously – I feel a bit of cheat with these tasting notes. There are new flavours to be found pretty much every sip – let alone if you leave it and come back 10 minutes later – LET ALONE TOMORROW!!  Whilst you could mix this with a ginger beer or ginger ale quite easily – frankly, it’s just waaay to good to adulterate with anything other than some ice (it’s bloody hot this time of year, after all!).

  • PRICE : $129

  • ABV : 47%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Fiji

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Dead Reckoning South Pacific

FROM DEAD RECKONING

After sampling this rum that was purely aged in the Sth Pacific I knew I had to have it . Initially destined for release in Europe & the US, it was decided the Rum Tribe had to have a slice of the pie as well . 

I first bottled this in Amsterdam, then shipped it back to Australia. It’s time spent in a Muscat cask rounds off this once untamed rum perfectly. It still has hints of the rawness that’s always attracted me to South Pacific rum, but its 10 years in a Muscat cask had added layers of flavour profile & a subtle dipping experience. First distilled in 1994, barrel aged 10years in Fiji, then 18 additional years in a stainless steel holding tank have married the flavour chain together perfectly. 

Nosed it has a herbal quality, similar to St Lucian rum. Pine Cones, some Pot Pourri and a touch of eucalyptus. Further nosing reveals some molasses, toffee and sweet vanilla. Time in the glass gives more time for the aromas to reveal themselves. Slightly menthol notes appear alongside some light tar and cigarette smoke.

It’s a complex nose. It’s a rum which is really worth sitting with and nosing. You will get a lot out of it this way and it will also improve your sipping experience. It is both light and soft, yet quite menacing at the same time.

On the sip it is quite spicy with a fair amount of barrel influence. It’s oaky but the spice from the oak isn’t overly woody. You get a good hit of sweet vanilla. The herbal nature of the rum comes out more with each sip – the pine cones and eucalyptus that was on the nose is very evident. I’m also getting a carbolic/soapy element.

On the mid palate the rum evolves further. A sooty/tarriness comes through. I think if you experienced a Fijian rum – for the first time you could well think it was a blend. It has elements of St Lucian rum, heavy Caroni and most definitely funky Jamaican notes.

The initial sip and mid palate carry a fruitiness as well, which works nicely with the more herbal notes. It keeps the more aggressive elements of this rum at bay. It keeps the balance nicely.

ABOUT DEAD RECKONING

Justin, has immersed himself in rum for the past 20 years; a journey starting as a deck scrubbing lad with a thirst for Rum and adventure culminated in him becoming a Chief Officer; driving billionaire’s mega yachts around the world. This life of salty seadog adventure took him to Rum’s heartland, the Caribbean islands for 6 months a year, every year.

When he wasn’t at the helm of a yacht he could be found hanging off a bar or at a distillery sampling the best the Caribbean rum scene had to offer. Upon ending his days at sea there was only one thing he knew better that navigating around the world’s oceans- that was Rum. For 10 years Justin has scoured the globe discovering & importing the world’s best rums into Australia.

Dead Reckoning is Australia’s first independent rum bottler. We know there’s more in the works from Dead Reckoning and we can’t wait to try more and more of these fabulous independent bottling from a true rum legend.

ABOUT SOUTH PACIFIC DISTILLING

The South Pacific Distillery is known as the quite achiever, often producing rums under a cloak of secrecy, supplying independent bottlers with mind blowing rums. Their distillery is named ‘South Pacific Distillery’ and they use column stills and a John Dore pot still / double retort (double thumper) configuration. This still configuration is much better explained by others than myself. And HERE is a very good explanation of the ‘double thumper’.

Other very well-known rum distilleries such as St Lucia distillers, Foursquare, Hampden & Worthy Park use the same or a very similar system.

A closed fermentation process using molasses (closed so that birds don’t fall into the ferment) for 70 to 100 hours produces what can only be described as an element of funk. Dunder is not used; controlled yeast is the activator in their ferment.

High Grade Sugar cane and subsequently molasses is in no shortage on the islands of the South pacific, ideal for quality rum production.

After the ferment is run through the still the “rum” is normally stored in Ex Bourbon barrels in its high temp and humidity environment. The colour of this rum is evident that its “tropical ageing” is a rewarding and tumultuous partner, providing a full bodied and funky rum.

Firkin Rum First Edition Single Cask – December 2023

The World First Release of the very FIRST Firkin RUM!

Now Firkin are absolute LEGENDS in the spirits industry with their Head Honcho, Mike Collings having over 50 years of high-end spirit credentials up his proverbial (he’s the guy that invented Johnny Walker Blue and Green among other accomplishments).

This is a single cask bottling of single blended Caribbean rum (rum made from both column and pot still at the one distillery). Molasses-based, distilled at Angostura Distillers in Trinidad & Tobago. Now this is sold as a NAS (No Age Statement) rum, but I’m reliably informed that it was tropically matured for around 6 years in Trinidad then transferred to Mikes custom, hybrid, ex-Speyside whisky cask in Scotland to finish for 18 months. Bottled at 43%abv, the result is a wonderfully rich and fruity rum that is eminently sippable neat and perfectly at home paired with your favourite mixer around the pool.

It’s not often we get to launch a new international Rum Brand onto the world stage and as you can imagine – when we do we’re pretty bloody excited! What’s more exciting is that this rum has come from an absolute legend of the spirits industry. I’m proud to consider Mike a friend and we’ve featured a few of the releases of his indy bottling brand ‘The Firkin Whisky Co’  in our ‘other club’ (SMWC).

This Christmas, we are incredibly proud to be able to introduce to the world, the very first Firkin Rum.

Firkin Rum First Edition

Mike Collings’ work with international alcohol giant Diageo has seen him involved with some of the worlds largest brands. Even the most ardent rum ‘fanboi’ (or goil!) has heard of Johnny Walker Blue Label – perhaps the worlds most instantly recognisable top-shelf scotch whisky – hell, the most recognisable top-shelf spirit, really. Well… Mike Collings is the man behind JW Blue. It’s his baby. His work in Scotch whisky is both iconic and award winning.  But that’s not to say scotch whisky is his only trick.  Mike was helping supply the Royal Navy with rum in the early eighties working for ‘Saccone & Speed’ – a company that had it’s start supplying Admiral Nelson’s ships with rum at Gibraltar! In fact, Mike’s first sales job (way back in 1973) was selling Navy Neaters Cask Strength Rum to the RN at Portsmouth. Mike has also distributed Cockspur and Pussers Rum in the UK – so he knows his rum too.

For the last few years, Mike has lived in Adelaide, travelling frequently to source for, and promote his Firkin Whisky Co. label. Essentially, the Firkin Whisky Co independently bottles Scottish whisky after finishing it in their own bespoke hybrid casks made of alternating American first-fill Bourbon staves and new French Limousin oak staves with a custom char, seasoned with a variety of fortified wines. 

Now, on the other side of the planet, in Scotland, there is a gentleman called Jim Ashley who (like our good mate Justin Boseley) independently bottles rum, under the Outlaw Rum Brand. Now Jim buys rum from Trinidad &Tobago and finishes it in casks that have previously held single malt whisky from the Speyside region in Scotland. TLDR – he independently bottles whisky-cask finished rum.

I think you can see where this is going!

Well Mike and Jim met, got talking and … what you see here is the grand result of Jim finishing his rum in one of Mike’s ex-Speyside whisky maturing, hybrid casks. And et voilà  – the Firkin Rum First Edition Single Cask was born!

Firkin Rum First Edition
LIQUID CHRISTMAS CAKE! The Christmas Rum Cask is a nearly 6-year-old, pure single rum from Western Australia’s beautiful Margaret River region.

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose:  Liquorice, cloves and brand new leather all drizzled in melted butter.

Palate: Thick and satisfying mouthfeel with very little pepper. Spiced fruity mince, marzipan, ginger nut bikkies, allspice, vanilla and some candied citrus peel with more of that butteryness to boot!

Finish: Lovely, long and luscious. Rolling sweet waves of caramel, aniseed and biscuit spices – yet exits curiously crisply with a nice mild astringency in the jowls!

An absolutely firkin brilliant First Edition rum from Messrs. Collings and Ashley. Lots of big fruity Speyside whisky notes bumping up against traditional creamy-Caribbean-caramels and liquorice-y rum qualities. At 43% it’s perfect for sipping over ice on a stinking December day, and totes killer with your favourite mixer.

  • PRICE : $139

  • ABV : 43%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Trinidad & Tobago / Scotland

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Firkin Rum First Edition

FROM FIRKIN WHISKY CO. / OUTLAW RUM

Serendipity is a beautiful thing.

A chance encounter between Jim Ashley the fabulous founder of Outlaw Rum and Firkin’s Mike Collings has produced something extraordinary.

Outlaw Rum imports a premium blend rum from the world famous Angostura Distillery in Trinidad & Tobago and matures them in a selection of malt whisky casks from Scotland’s premier distilleries.

This alchemy occurs at this converted barn in the north of Scotland. Coincidentally, Firkin’s famous custom casks are coopered from first fill bourbon and new French oak just a few miles down the road.

Why it’s just neighbourly to have these two pioneers collaborate. Jim’s special Rum in Mike’s innovative casks, having recently held the pride of Speyside, has produced something truly unique.

The first release lets the Firkin flavours flow through the exceptional Rum to produce something very Firkins special indeed.

Nose: Sweet and subtle wafts of caramel and vanilla lead into toffee, which sails into hints of oak and a turn of sherry to bring us home.

Taste: Like a lover’s kiss the senses align, as caramel, vanilla and toffee remain. Bountiful citrus with succulent satsuma wash through as a uniquely Scottish/Caribbean experience provides buttery coconut and joyful raisin and baked spice finish.

This is our first limited edition of some very special releases, which reflect our passion for taking the very best and adding our own nuances and depth of flavour combining the best of Scotland and Trinidad & Tobago.

Nothing added or taken away. Our rigorous standards require that no sugar, caramel or flavouring of any kind is added. We also think gravity is still the best form of clarification and would never use chill filtration.

Cheers

Mike Collings                                   Jim Ashley
Founder Firkin Whisky Co             Founder Outlaw Rum Co

ABOUT FIRKIN WHISKY CO.

For those unaware, Mike Collings is a giant in the high-end spirits industry. During his time with Diageo (world largest spirits business) he was the mind behind the famous Johnny Walker Blue plus a plethora of whiskies that are almost ubiquitous in any bottle shop around the world. In other words, Mike has been crafting ‘household name’ whiskies for the worlds largest brands for over 50 years.

Mike Collings could have retired with an incredible track record in whisky. He had created Johnnie Walker Blue & Green Labels, The Classic Malts, Rare Malts, Distillers Edition, Flora & Fauna series, Cardhu and Royal Lochnagar. That’s pretty Firkin good as far as CVs go.

Mike’s now been working in the highest-end of alcohol for 50 years. You couldn’t blame him for packing it in and putting his feet up. That would have been the sensible thing to do. But Mike is many things. Sensible isn’t one of them. Mike stirs the pot. He thinks about things differently and always asks: ‘what if …’?

ABOUT ANGOSTURA

Angostura is one of the leading manufacturing companies in the Caribbean that produces a superb collection of rum brands as well as it’s ubiquitous-in-any-bar-anywhere-in-the-world bitters range.

Along with being a Royal Warrant holder to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for their Angostura aromatic bitters, they have successfully marketed their iconic bitters globally and have a geographic reach into 170 markets. The recipe for Angostura aromatic bitters has not been changed since the first bottle was introduced to the world in 1824.

Many of their brands have been bringing joy for generations in Trinidad and Tobago, their core rum market. Meanwhile, their premium rums have been causing a stir at countless international competitions over the past decade. In the last year alone, the Angostura rum range has been rewarded with over 25 prestigious accolades internationally.

Firkin Rum First Edition

Requiem SS Admella – November 2023

Four words to excite any rum lover – ‘Tin Shed Distilling Requiem’! If you like your rums to have character and flavour, without what is often referred to as a high ester flavour profile, then the Requiem SS Admella from Tin Shed Distilling is the rum for you. 

A FIRST RELEASE Aussie Rum from one of Australia’s finest distillers! This is truly the thinking man’s ‘Big Aussie Rum’.

The Requiem SS Admella is made from molasses wash, twice-distilled in Tin Shed’s copper pot stills before being aged for 5 years in an ex-Shiraz Whisky cask, then finished in a reworked, re-charred ex-port cask and bottled at an easy drinking 44% ABV. The result is a big, ‘traditional’ Aussie rum full of cola, caramel, cloves and aniseed. It’s big and blustery, round and robust  – but also gentle and well balanced – and all without the big ABV usually associated with this sort of mouthfeel. Nothing challenging or alien here – but flavour for miles.

Tin Shed Distilling has been producing incredible pot stilled spirits since 2010. The Rum Tribe raved about the Requiem SS Songvaar that we released to the Tribe in 2021. Vic and Ian (the blokes behind the name) have been distilling for even longer than that. They are no strangers to medals and awards – and are so prolific I wonder if the move to the new digs isn’t just an excuse to build a bigger ‘pool room’ to fit them all.

Requiem SS Admella

They have always prided themselves as being completely hands-on artisanal pot-distillers (rum, whisky and vodka) and this will continue in the new location. It’s just going to be a whole lot more pleasant for us – the public – to sit and enjoy the fruits of their labour where it’s made, at the new place.

By definition a Requiem is a final mass, a prayer for the dead, a final tribute. Each expression of Requiem is a tribute to a ship, wrecked or lost at sea and to the seafarers who sailed in those ships.

The Requiem SS Admella was an Iron-hulled, single propped trader of 60m length and a displacement of 395 tons, built in 1857. She was named from the route of her trading between Adelaide, Melbourne and Launceston (Ad-Mel-La). At approximately 5.00 am on Saturday the 6th of August the ship hit – what turned out to be – Carpenter’s Reef, whilst on its way to Melbourne.  Although less than a mile to the shore it was 6 days before the survivors were able to be rescued from the wreck. Of 107 passengers and crew, sadly, only 24 survived.  A full account of the wreck of the Admella can be found at the Campbelltown City Council website.

Requiem SS Admella
A LIMITED EDITION Dead Reckoning Rum celebrating the legendary ‘Operation Jaywick’ with half the proceeds going to the Commando Welfare Trust

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: Lots of big burnt caramel notes, post-mix cola syrup (if you’ve ever dropped a bag of that you’ll know), cloves and sweet banana lollies plus – yep there it is – that ‘Tin Shed Distillery new-belt leather note’.

Palate: Sweet and rich and chewy on the palate. It’s not subtle – but it’s not harsh either. It’s just… BIG.  Big, sweet, flavour but little burn. The cola syrup comes through again, but also there’s boiled ‘humbug’ lollies (aniseed), hot ginger and soothing honey here.

Finish: Wow – I get a real ‘honey jumble deconstructed’ in the finish. There’s honey, ginger, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon all swirling around a delicate dryness in the finale – from the port cask I suspect. 

The Requiem SS Admella is truly the thinking man’s ‘Big Aussie Rum’. I think this really takes those quintessentially Australian rum flavours – the molasses, the cola and the leather notes, with a sweet palate and dryish finish and ads about 25PSI of turbo boost. That Tin Shed get such big and round flavour and such exquisite mouthfeel out of 44%ABV is pure alchemy. 

  • PRICE : $119

  • ABV : 44%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (SA)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Requiem SS Admella

FROM TIN SHED DISTILLING

If you like your rums to have some character and flavour, without what is often referred to as a high ester flavour profile, then Requiem SS Admella is the rum for you.  Lots of Dutch liquorice and molasses notes, even cola, but only the merest hint of funk and even then you have to hunt it down. Requiem SS Admella is a rum for those with a palate that is discerning, and always wanting more.  If this rum were a car, it would be an open top sports car rather than a limousine, with a turbo charged V8 under the hood!

Dutch liquorice, Cola nuts, Molasses, Treacle, Marzipan, Glacé cherry, Salty finish with salted caramel

Wanting more…Heavy sipping rum, yum

ABOUT TIN SHED DISTILLING

Tin Shed Distillery was established in 2010 by Ian Schmidt and long time drinking buddy Vic Orlow. Ian is a straight talker with little time for fake extravagances – and his distillery certainly reflects this attitude. From the unassuming front door, through to the utilitarian stacks and rows of ageing whisky, to the small stills – this is grassroots craft distilling at it’s finest!

There’s no ‘Visitors Centre’ here (although Ian welcomes visitors by appointment) – the distillery is the visitors centre. What you get is plain and simple – almost spartan. A distillery, bond store, bottling plant and office all under one roof. It’s all about the spirits at Tin Shed Distilling.

***STOP PRESS! ***

As we said – all this is about to change. Tin Shed is about to move (date close but uncertain at time this was penned) to bigger, and much more salubrious location – complete with cellar door and bar! I’m told there’s even going to be FOOD! .

***STOP PRESS! ***

What Tin Shed Distilling lacks in size, flashyness or ‘pomp’ it certainly makes up for in the quality of it’s products. Ian and Vic’s philosophy is ‘only bottle what we like to drink’ – and the results of this attitude were apparent from day one. The very first batch of their Iniquity Single Malt Whisky made the Whisky Bible’s ‘Liquid Gold’ list in 2015 with a score of 94 –described as “a gorgeous experience”. Subsequent whisky bottling have won many accolades and now it’s Tin Shed’s rums turn in the spotlight!

Whilst awards are great, with a distillery as small as Tin Shed, they don’t drive sales. As Ian puts it – “by the time the results are out, we’ve sold all of the spirit we entered”. What’s more important to the boys at Iniquity is feedback from ‘the Den’ (Tin Shed’s members club) and the drinking public at whisky shows. Love this rum – then join Iniquity’s ‘the Den’ and stay up to date with all new Iniquity releases and everything that’s happening at Tin Shed Distilling.

Killik Virgin American Oak – October 2023

With October being an ‘ode to funk’…our favourite Australian (actually Victorian) hogo heads have delivered an EXCLUSIVE KILLIK/ RUM TRIBE collaboration – The Killik Virgin American Oak!

This is the very first Virgin Oak maturation Killik have done – and I’m here to tell you, it won’t be their last! It’s bloody brilliant! This is molasses based rum – the wash was seeded with proprietary yeast prior to having wild yeast [via dunder] added. It was distilled in a copper pot still, and then laid to rest in a virgin American oak cask for 2.5 years before being bottled at 48% exclusively for the Rum Tribe. 

Now, Killik do it a bit different to most Australian rums. For a start they embrace the characteristic known as ‘hogo’ or ‘funk’ in their rums. This is a flavour profile mostly unexplored by Aussie distillers but huge in the Caribbean – Jamaica particularly being seen as the ‘spiritual home of hogo’.  But some Aussies, like Killik (and Nil Desperandum is another) are notable for actively pursuing this quality with the use of dunder and muck in their fermentation. 

Killik’s raw spirit alone is world class – in fact the Killik ‘Silver’ as it’s known, has been winning medals all over – culmination in a gold medal and Best in Class at World Spirits Awards earlier this year. Killik have proven themselves to be world-class producers of hi-ester rum and we are absolutely bloody stoked to be part of another ‘first’ for Killik – a virgin oak maturation.

Killik Virgin Oak American

But what is this ‘hogo’ that we speak of? Well, originally a Jamaican style, hogo is an easily identifiable – yet hard to describe – flavour which is the result of wild yeast fermentation. It is commonly characterized by its potent, funky nose and taste. In fact hogo is also known as ‘funk’ in some places. It can be very difficult to define and can vary wildly. In the case of Killik, it is often very fruity with strong aromas of tropical fruit, over-ripe banana, strawberry, and a distinct milkiness.

The key to hogo, or funk, is the use of wild yeasts in the fermentation stage of production. And the source of those wild yeasts is what’s known as ‘dunder and muck’. Those with a delicate constitution may wish to look away now, because as the names suggest, dunder and muck isn’t the loveliest stuff in the world. Dunder is what’s left over in a rum still once the spirit has been distilled out of the wash.  It’s essentially dead yeast, water and whatever caramelised, boiled out, leftover gunk they can scrape out of the still after a run. The dunder is then chucked in a ‘dunder pit’ which could [traditionally] be a big hole in the ground (an actual ‘pit of dunder’ as it were). These days most dunder pits are contained in some sort of large plastic container such as IBC’s. Killik’s dunder pit is an old dairy vat (Pictured).

The dunder is ‘fed’ carbohydrates in the form of, well, whatever fruit etc is lying around the distillery or surrounding farms. This added sugar allows a secondary fermentation to begin by any wild yeast that happen to land in the pit. By this stage the ‘dunder pit’ is a foul looking, cow-shit reeking, bubbling vat of the nastiest looking sludge you can imagine. This wonderfully vile concoction of wild yeasts, and the flavour molecules they excrete (along with CO2 and alcohol) is what ‘seeds’ the next rum mash and is known as ‘muck’.

Use of dunder and muck in rum production originated in Jamaica around the same time as the slaves discovered making rum. It makes sense as it provided an inexhaustible supply of an otherwise hard to come by (in those times) resource – yeast! With the commercialisation and industrialisation of rum production in the subsequent years, reliability, repeatability and yield of the fermentation process became essential. Thus the uptake of commercial and proprietary yeasts saw the use of wild yeasts dwindle – and so muck and dunder began to be a fond memory with only a handful of distilleries interested.  Luckily, there has been a ‘rediscovery’ of dunder and muck use in rum distilling, and Killik have pioneered its use in Australia.

The Killik Virgin American Oak is the very first Virgin Oak maturation Killik have done – and I’m here to tell you, it won’t be their last! This is molassas based rum – the wash was seeded with a proprietary yeast prior to having wild yeast [via dunder] added. It was distilled in a copper pot still, and then laid to rest in a virgin American oak cask for 2 ½ years before being bottled at 48% exclusively for the Rum Tribe. 

Last month we worked with Dead Reckoning to get the price as far down as possible – and this month Killik have stepped up to help us do same. We’ve both trimmed as much fat as possible to get this rum out to the tribe for the best price we could without selling our children. I’m not gonna lie – we’ve even re-used the Killik gold labels with just a sticker added in order to keep costs as low as possible!

And we’ve done it again – a 700ml bottle of hand made, single cask, pure single rum for $125. I dare you to find better!

Killik Virgin Oak American
NOT A MEMBER? JOIN THE TRIBE TODAY

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: all sorts of things you wonder if you should be smelling. Strait away there’s sour milk – but swirl that glass and so many more notes are released. There’s grape bubblegum. There’s Curry powder. Tart apple. Model Airplane glue. There’s all sort of weird and almost-recognisable odours wafting there.  I’m betting the sweets of your youth will determine what you get out of the nose here.

Palate: Almost as soon it hits your palate, all those ‘weird’ smells in the nose seem to align and make perfect sense now as they morph into stewed apple. In fact, apple strudel with sultanas and vanilla… wait for the cream! Ahh there it is! But then more fruit takes over and the fruit salad paradigm swings in for a twirl.  That delightful creamyness remains though. This morphs and swirls and shape-shifts and dances across the palate.

Finish: It’s a bit of a sweet and sour finish on this one. Really sweet notes such as plumbs and more chewing gum notes, but there’s also a sort of sour worms sweet/sour thing too.

The Killik Virgin American Oak is a hugely complex and utterly discussable rum from one of my favourite distilleries. If you’re new to hi-ester rum  – you really need to look at them a bit like stinky cheese.  The smell (nose) is confronting – but makes perfect sense once you bite into it!

Kudos Cal and Sam – you’ve kicked it outta the park again!

A 61%ABV, 8 year old Jamaican PURE SINGLE RUM in a 750ml bottle that is on our shores for the FIRST TIME

  • PRICE : $125

  • ABV : 48%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (Vic)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Killik Virgin Oak American

FROM KILLIK

Hey Tribe! We’re thrilled to introduce our newest gem from Killik’s vault – The Killik Virgin American Oak. This rum is a true testament to the prowess of pot still distillation, boasting high ester levels that showcase a symphony of fruity characteristics.

While many rums may hint at tropical notes, ours uniquely shines with pronounced cantaloupe undertones, blending seamlessly with flavors of ripe bananas, passion fruit, and a touch of guava. These vibrant ester-driven flavors find a harmonious balance with the rich and robust influences of our custom-coopered virgin American oak barrels. Virgin oak, fresh and untainted by previous spirits, imparts luscious notes of intense vanilla, caramel, and toasty aromatics. The final product?

The Killik Virgin American Oak is rum that’s both bold in its fruity essence yet grounded with rich American Oak. We can not wait for you to delve into its multifaceted flavours and aromas and share your insights!

Tasting Notes:

Right off the bat, you’ll notice a distinct ethyl acetate presence, though not as pronounced as in Jamaican pot rums. As that initial wave subsides, a moderately strong fruitiness emerges, with a standout melon note and lots of stone fruit, a departure from our usual KILLIK profiles where pineapple often dominates. The influence of the American oak is unmistakable – you get a robust roasted quality paired with a generous helping of vanilla. It’s clear this one matured in a virgin oak barrel, and even though it’s only 2.5 years old, its flavor profile suggests a more mature spirit.

ABOUT KILLIK

Born in Belgrave, Victoria, Killik Handcrafted Rum is a family run distillery that aims to fill the void of great Australian rum. Their aim is to create products that were not only top tier in quality, but are also the most unique Australian rum you can find.

“HIGH ESTER IS THE DIRECTION THE RUM WORLD IS MOVING “
Callan Pratt – Partner, Killik Handcrafted Rum

Our rum utilizes a wild fermentation which leads to a high ester content referred to as “hogo” in the rum scene. Killik Handcrafted Rum is the first Australian dedicated rum distillery committed to this traditional Jamaican style of rum production.

The Killik lineup is perfect for creating classic cocktails or enjoyed neat.

Dead Reckoning Port Broadside Jamaica – September 2023

DEAD RECKONING IS BACK! This time with a FUNKY but MELLOW blend of three low-ester Jamaican rums (Hampden, Worthy Park and New Yarmouth) born, bred and married in the tropics and honeymooned in the dry heat of Adelaide. It’s time to man battle stations as we launch the Dead Reckoning Port Broadside!

The Dead Reckoning Port Broadside is a single cask blend of three incredible Jamaican distilleries. Hampden, Worthy Park and New Yarmouth – two pot stills and a column still respectively. 3 years tropically aged in bourbon casks in Jamaica and then whisked off to Adelaide to be dry aged in a Seppeltsfield Tawny Cask that has held port continuously for 120 years (this cask is almost GOOEY it’s got so much port infused into it!).

Just like the amazing price of $125 – Justin has specifically blended this Jamaican rum to exhibit the funk that Jamaican rum is famous for – but do it in an extremely accessible way. He’s done this by blending 3 Jamaican low ester ‘marques’. In Jamaica, a marquee is given special initials and indicates different ‘types’ of rums made by a distillery. Much like a bakery bakes different types of bread, the distilleries make different marques of rum – each one with a characteristic Ester level. The marque classification system of Jamaica is a bit of a ‘rum geek’ thing – if you’d like to know more – check out this article at the Cocktail Wonk.

The marques used in this rum are stated on the label – all of them amongst the lowest ester marque of their distillery. What this means is that whilst this is definitely an ester-forward rum (it is Jamaican, after all!), this is not overstated or over-the-top hogo.

For the non sailors out there a Broadside is a firing of all the guns from one side of a warship.

Dead Reckoning Port Broadside Jamaica

NOW we here at Rum Tribe HQ as well as Dead Reckoning know how tough everyone is doing it at present. Mortgages, fuel, electricity prices through the roof – and to sink the boot in even more – the excise on spirits like rum (and whisky etc) has just passed $100 per litre of alcohol.  So if you have a 1-litre bottle, with a spirit at 50%ABV – you will be paying more than $50 in Australian excise before you even start paying for the product itself. The third-highest spirits excise in the world. And it increases twice a year. That’s right – Twice. Every. Year.

So this month, Dead Reckoning and the Rum Tribe have gotten together with the express purpose of getting AWESOME rum to the people with as little hit to the wallet as possible.  Both of us have taken a bit of a beating to get this absolutely incredible 4 and a half year old Dead Reckoning Port Broadside Jamaican to the Tribe for a pre-2020 price.

And why are we doing this? Well, in all honesty, we’re hoping if we do an attractive enough price, you’ll buy two bottles if you can! And then everyone is a winner!

No added sugar. No added colour. Non-chill Filtered. Bottled at 50%ABV so the taxman gets his fair share, don’t you worry!

Going forward – this is the first expression of the Dead Reckoning Port Broadside line from Dead Reckoning. Look out for more single country of origin, blended single casks, tropical/dry aged combo rums finished in Tawny casks in Adelaide to come down the track.

Dead Reckoning Port Broadside Jamaica
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Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this really evolves over time. There’s waves of mashed banana, juicy fruit chewing gum, creaming soda and a sultana-laden bread and butter (or is it rice?) pudding and custard!

Palate: Masses of firepower with a rich and syrupy mouthfeel yet there’s also a crisp and dry backbone that makes itself known with just a touch of astringency that balances out the sweetness. [The column still component plus the tawny barrel at work there I’m sure!] Masses of fruit salad, lots of sweet and fragrant spices and stewed fruit to boot!

Finish: Lovely, Long and Utterly divine. Burnt liquorice, sarsaparilla-spider, caramel and sweet banana custard.

Another amazing release from the master of the dry-aged finish. Sweet and slightly funky on the nose, but takes a port tack to the dry side on the palate before rolling back to round sweetness in the finish. Mellow and funky like a groovy summer breeze, carrying the rhythm of a laid-back Funkadelic tune. Complex as quadratics, but easy as 1, 2, 3.

THE CRAZIEST INFUSED NEUTRAL CANE SPIRIT!

  • PRICE : $125

  • ABV : 50%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Jamaica/Australia

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Dead Reckoning Port Broadside Jamaica

FROM DEAD RECKONING

I’ve always been a funky rum junkie. Jamaican rum is synonymous with funk , dunder & ester. While some Australian distilleries are now adopting Jamaican methods of dunder & longer fermentation, the Jamaicans have been treading this well-worn path for centuries. 

When I was fortunate enough to find a Seppeltsfield tawny “port” cask from the 1800’s I knew exactly what to age it. The search for a Jamaican rum that had the right flavour profile started. Not happy with just 1 distillery, I ended up using a Hampden / Worthy Park / New Yarmouth Plummer blend. 2 pot & 1 column still. 

The use of 3 Jamaican rums has given this release layer upon layer of of flavour profiles. Finished in a tawny cask was the icing on the cake, it married the funk , flavour & low ester together. The goal was to create a multidimensional rum that would educate the consumer, leading them down the Jamaican rum rabbit hole.

The port broadside series is a collection of rums aged in tawny (port) casks. 

For the non sailors out there a Broadside is a firing of all the guns from one side of a warship.

With the current situation of inflation, interest rates & living costs. The decision to release DR Jamaica at its bare bones cost was made in the hope of getting good rum into people’s glasses at a great price. 

Flavour Profile: Banana Cake, dates, sultanas, dark roasted coffee & passionfruit

ABOUT DEAD RECKONING

Justin, has immersed himself in rum for the past 20 years; a journey starting as a deck scrubbing lad with a thirst for Rum and adventure culminated in him becoming a Chief Officer; driving billionaire’s mega yachts around the world. This life of salty seadog adventure took him to Rum’s heartland, the Caribbean islands for 6 months a year, every year.

When he wasn’t at the helm of a yacht he could be found hanging off a bar or at a distillery sampling the best the Caribbean rum scene had to offer. Upon ending his days at sea there was only one thing he knew better that navigating around the world’s oceans- that was Rum. For 10 years Justin has scoured the globe discovering & importing the world’s best rums into Australia.

Having an intimate knowledge of the Australian market, Justin identified space for unique, rare blends. Enter Dead Reckoning Rum. An Australian Independent label specialising in master-mixed rum blends, single casks and some rare, forgotten ‘barn-finds’ of the Rum world. Justin has his sights set on truly unique and memorable releases by his label.

ABOUT HAMDEN ESTATE

Hampden Estate, nestled within the scenic landscapes of Jamaica’s Trelawny Parish, stands as a venerable institution in the world of rum production. With roots tracing back to the 18th century, this historic distillery has earned its reputation for crafting rums that exude a distinct and captivating character. Embracing the art of traditional pot still distillation, Hampden is a purveyor of “Pure Single Rum,” a distinction denoting the exclusive use of pot stills and a single distillery source. This approach results in rums that are renowned for their intense and complex flavours, a testament to the high ester content characteristic of Hampden’s spirits. The distillery’s dedication to both molasses-based and sugarcane juice rums further enriches the spectrum of taste profiles, appealing to enthusiasts seeking the perfect balance of fruity notes and robust depth.

ABOUT WORTHY PARK

Worthy Park Estate is a historic Jamaican sugar estate and distillery located in St. Catherine, Jamaica. It has a long history dating back to the 17th century and is known for its production of sugarcane and rum. Worthy Park is one of the few distilleries in Jamaica that produces both molasses-based and estate-grown sugarcane rums. Their rums showcase Jamaican rum characteristics, including bold flavours, tropical fruit notes, and a rich, full-bodied profile. The distillery uses traditional pot stills for distillation, contributing to the unique character of their rums.

ABOUT NEW YARMOUTH

The New Yarmouth distillery, deeply rooted in Jamaica’s history since the 18th century, is a significant player in the rum industry. It proudly stands as the birthplace of – among others – Wray & Nephew rum, renowned as the best-selling brand in Jamaica. New Yarmouth is a part of the Appleton Estate.  New Yarmouth operates both pot and column stills.

Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish – August 2023

AN EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION WITH BRIX DISTILLERS! Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish.

A proud collaboration with non-other than Sydney’s Urban Rum Distillery – Brix. A Double-IPA Cask finished, 58.5%ABV MONSTER of a rum EXCLUSIVE to the Rum Tribe (it’s even got our logo on it!).

The Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish has been created from Bundaberg Molasses fermented with Champagne and Caribbean rum yeasts. Batch distilled in Brix’s hybrid copper pot still and then matured for more than 3 years in an Aussie Red Wine cask – then finished for a couple of months in a double IPA barrel.

All in all, three years and 11 months in the wood before being bottled at the cask strength of 58.5%ABV. If you’re wondering – a double IPA beer is a beer with an increased amount of hops and malt, this generally results in a bitter, but more caramel flavoured beer.

Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish

Surprisingly, until Brix came along in 2018, Sydney did not have it’s ‘own’ rum distillery. Which is kind of astonishing as historically, Sydney and rum have gone hand-in-hand since 1788! A focus on quality and efficiency of production has allowed Brix to grow sales at 60% per year as well as set down ageing stock. This, in turn, has allowed them in 5 (short) years to not only have a core range of 3 high-end spirits (a dark rum, a spiced rum and white cane spirit) – but enough stock to plan, develop and offer special releases such as this Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish.

Brix Select Cask Series are a series of single release small batch rums, created using locally grown ingredients, an Australian built copper still & unique oak barrels, previously used for local beer, wine & spirits. These rums have been selected specifically for their story, their flavour profile & their quality, allowing you to discover a new world of Australian Rum.

Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish

Our Tasting Notes:

NB: Remember this is cask strength so I’ve put a few drops of water in mine!

Nose: Sweet, warm banana custard, cherries, sultanas

Palate: Begins oily and sweet with lovely malty notes but quickly changes tack and turns dry and crisp with equally delicious green apple, blackberry and sherbet notes

Finish: Dry and slightly astringent notes take this one out – espresso coffee, Dutch liquorice, dark chocolate and marmalade.

The Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish is a complex yet easy to drink, sweet yet bitter, crisp and clean yet also oily at times yet all the while utterly delicious rum. I’m still pinching myself that there’s a Rum Tribe logo on this bottle. It’s big, yet gentle…it’s sweet, it’s dry, it’s rich and… did I say it’s BIG?

FOURSQUARE + HOLMES CAY = 11 YEAR OLD, SINGLE CASK, CASK STRENGTH GIANT OF A RUM!

  • PRICE : $159

  • ABV : 58.5%

  • BOTTLE: 700ml

  • REGION: Australia (NSW)

  • No Added Sugar / No Added Colour

Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish

FROM BRIX

“With a mission to Reinvent Australian Rum & uncover new and varied rum styles, Brix has crafted this release, in collaboration with the team at The Rum Tribe, as a unique expression exclusively for their members. Brix Rums focus on flavour, using locally sourced ingredients, our Australian built copper still & unique barrels, each with a different story to tell.

The Brix Select Cask Series Double IPA Finish has been matured for over three years in a single Australian red wine cask with a further two month finish in an Australian Double IPA cask. For this single cask release, I wanted to reflect the quality, innovation & passion that Brix team brings to everything we do, to allow the drinker to discover a new style of Australian Rum. This has been one of my favourite releases to date and I hope the Rum Tribe members enjoy.”

Shane Casey – Head Distiller

Distiller’s Tasting Notes: Pine, Szechuan pepper, tarragon, green cardamom, orange, tangerine, apricot, crème caramel, burnt custard, vanilla, malt, croissants, honey baked ham.

ABOUT BRIX

‍Brix was born out of a love for rum. Over time this love turned into passion for discovery, experimentation, appreciation & adventure. We discovered that rum in Australia was not being reflected in the right light.

So we have set out for change.

Rum is fun. Rum is rebellious. But it should be loved and adored in respect for the effort and craft that goes into its production. The Brix vision is to share our passion and adventures with Australia and the world. 

In 2017, we set out to find a site where we could establish an urban distillery that showcased the best that Australia has to offer. We found our home on Bourke Street, Surry Hills & we love it.

We challenged ourselves to source the best quality Australian molasses, fresh organic sugar cane, an Australian made copper still, the best quality native spices and Australian wine barrels from some of the best wine making regions of the world.

Our goal: To combine these amazing ingredients to create a unique Aussie rum. A rum that can be enjoyed in the bars of Australia and in our own backyards. We now produce a variety of unique rums and are in the process of barrel ageing many more styles and varieties to be released in the years to come.