Angel's Share Title
Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum
The team at Privateer Rum of Ipswich, Massachusetts has become leaders among the United States craft distillers with a focus on creating the best rums they possibly can, while promoting an honesty and integrity in their production processes unseen by most producers around the globe. Their Navy Yard Rum is produced by fermenting grade A Molasses, double distilled once in a pot, then in a column, and then aged in new American White Oak barrels for a minimum of two years. Each incarnation of the product is bottled straight from the cask without any additional blending. Privateer prides itself on not using any additives, and does not filter their products. The bottling for this review is from barrel # P305 and is bottled at 54.9% ABV. Proof will vary with this product and that is one of the interesting parts of exploring this spirit.
Privateer Navy Rum
Appearance
The tall 750 mL bottle label provides the basic information about the product and part of the inspiration behind it. The liquid in the bottle and glass holds a dark copper color that when agitated created a medium band that slowly beaded up and in time released equally slow moving legs that cling to the glass before eventually evaporating leaving a ring of thick pebbles in its wake.
Nose
The aroma of the rum leads with a light tangy citrus note, honeyed vanilla, cacao, baking spice and graphite, punctuated by a rich caramel note that balances the other parts of the aroma.
Palate
The first sip of the rum is a swirl of graphite, oak tannins and Madagascar vanilla with the proof of the rum augmenting but not overwhelming the flavor profile. Subsequent sips deliver notes of fresh figs, apricots, toasted almonds, salted caramel, green apple, and dried orange peel. Spice wise cinnamon is discovered first along with a toasted cacao note, and then nutmeg drifts in as the liquid lingers on the palate, to be quickly subdued by a pleasant tobacco note. As the spice notes fade the vanilla, which is omnipresent throughout the tasting experience lingers in a long dry finish.
Review
First introduced in 2016 each bottling of the Navy Yard product is limited to around 200 bottles. As I tasted and evaluated the product it became clear to me why exactly some rum enthusiasts I know like to track down different bottling of this rum. Knowing that each one will have similarities, it is the differences that gives joy to the exploration. I wholeheartedly recommend sipping this neat without the addition of water or ice and just take your time and enjoy the experience. I enjoyed the complexity of the rum and it is clear to me that there is a reason why Privateer has become a favorite among rum enthusiasts around the globe. President/Head Distiller, Maggie Campbell, and her team have created a culture of integrity and transparency that is on full display if you visit the Privateer Rum website. There you can find details about how their rums are produced and in some cases even find the history and tasting notes of a particular bottling. I think now I will join the ranks of others I know who enjoy this particular product and try to find some other incarnations of Privateer Navy Yard rum to share and enjoy with my friends.
