Papa Don't Need New Shoes...Only Rhum Agricole

[Phog Allen]

Gents, as an affirmed fan of gin based mixed drinks and in general, well balanced drinks made with quality ingredients, I have come to a small realisation. Earnest Hemingway knew what in Hades he was speaking about.

Now before I get the 'ya think?' treatment, let me tell you of my experience with rum. To wit, Bacardi white and gold. And I will just say it here. It was rubbish. More likely it was not too bad but the horrid concoctions it was served in my 'yute left me with nothing more than a desire to avoid it. When the real beer movement swept the States about 30 years ago I went full on. I was and am an ale guy. Give me great ingredients made with care and served correctly and I am your friend and supporter. Bollocks I thought to mixed drinks.

So I freely admit to being suckered in by Papa's lore and ordered one of his namesakes at the local speakeasy a few weeks ago. And have to admit the young man tending to things made one of the best mixed libations I have ever tasted. He used a product unknown to me but famous among rum drinkers. Rhum agricole. And his use of fresh grapefruit and lime juice along with the Luxardo Maraschino liqueur gave ample proof to Hemingway's praise of this mix.

A few days ago I had another at a local eating establishment which has a good bar and the lady who owns and tends it is very savvy. Hers was very good but just a bit rawer tasting than the other. So I asked her what rum she used. Bacardi white. Hmm. I could taste the fresh juices she used and proportions were spot on. Good stuff but not quite what the other one was. So now we are to it. What are your choices in rhum agricole and does it differ that much from other white rums? I thought the difference I was experiencing was spirit related but who knows? I am, as you have well guessed, no one to be acting the expert on distilled spirits. Let alone the rums. My local go to store does stock a single rhum agricole which stunned me. They are the best around for good distance. Ideas? Brands? Thanks a lot. Sorry to ramble but danged if I wasn't dreaming of a fishing rod and boat and a long lazy day on the Caribbean.

 

[TexLaw]

Cane rum (rhum)! Yum! I won't pretend to be an expert, but Neisson and Clément make some tasty stuff that won't break the bank.

 

[Phog Allen]

Hey Tex. I made it to a local place that had some Niesson hiding in a bottom shelf. They didn't know it was there! I am going to read more reviews of brands and then make the choice.

 

[CurtisB81]

Mt. Gay.. I know.. is good..

 

[Phog Allen]

Curtis, I saw that brand st the store where I finally found the Niesson. They had several versions but I did not check close enough to see if any were the agricole type.

And to all on this thread, my comment about my local favourite market was worded wrongly. It should have read to effect; My local go to did not have a single version of this type of rum. It was rather shocking honestly but their forte is wine really. The establishment where I found the Niesson seems more specialised in the rown liquors. Interestingly they have two whiskeys made within rock throwing distance of my zip code.

 

[bobmsp]

Curtis, I saw that brand st the store where I finally found the Niesson. They had several versions but I did not check close enough to see if any were the agricole type.

And to all on this thread, my comment about my local favourite market was worded wrongly. It should have read to effect; My local go to did not have a single version of this type of rum. It was rather shocking honestly but their forte is wine really. The establishment where I found the Niesson seems more specialised in the rown liquors. Interestingly they have two whiskeys made within rock throwing distance of my zip code.

I like Mt. Gay, but I don’t think they make a Rhum Agricole.


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[Phog Allen]

Well gents, the wife noticed me talking about this and did something on her own. She asked at another store and the clerk reommended Diplomatico Planas. This is a Venezuelan rum he told her works well in mixes. We shall see.

 

[TexLaw]

I haven't tried that stuff. Drink up, and tell us all about it!

 

[Phog Allen]

A small update. The Diplomatico was an apparent hit. Well, more like the Hemingway daiquiri was a big hit. The rum has a rather agressive alcohol nose in the bottle and don't ask me what 'notes' are in the palate because I am horrible at picking out such things. To me this is a mixer but please, take care. I am no one to make such statements.

Now to the drink itself. I am convinced grapefruit juice is an underutilised component in cocktails. It adds a softness, a sweetness(without being sweet if that makes sense), and a smooth roundness that adds a real dimension to the drink. Daiquiri is a classic sour. Base spirit, modifier(citrus), and a sweetener. Usually sugar. The Hemingway replaces the sugar with Maraschino and splits the modifier between lime and grapefruit. But it makes it so much more refined.

I searched both daiquiri #3 and Hemingway daiquiri to get an idea of what was mixed at Floridita bar in Havana. Mind, I was not looking at Papa Doble. No doubles and shaved ice. Just a typical 3-4 ounce drink in an up glass. I could not find a definitive list of amounts of ingredients other than 2oz of rum. Some used more lime than grapefruit and the other way round. Some used a teaspoon of Maraschino, others 1/4 or 1/2 ounce. Here's mine.

.5 ounce lime juice
.75 ounce grapefruit juice
.5 ounce Maraschino
2 ounces Diplomatico

Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake til very cold. Double strain to coupe or martini up type glass. Imbibe. Colour was a very pale grey green despite the grapefruit juice. I prejuiced the citrus and strained into decanters so they were very clear. It was popular with my sis and wife. I did not manage to taste one yet since I was serving but will remedy that tonight. Both of them siad it was well balanced, not sweet or too tart, and easy to drink. Too easy they said. I will rack that one up as a compliment to Papa.

 

[BigJ]

NICE! Terrific to know where you fit in the world!