Alright so we’ve not really branched out far into dark rums, I would say we still only have a handful by now, but the good news is that the popularity of the Kraken has ‘inspired’ other companies to try and get some of that sweet sweet money. While this is good news for those wanting a variety of darker rums, maybe we should have left it to the professionals.
What we end up with is something that you can surely mix into something, but even including that – it’s a subpar rum made for the wrong reasons. Admiral Nelson is not what you look for in terms of quality, but even if your issue is price – why not just get something that will kill you if you want cheap black rum? Seriously unless you want sugar sweet, or good quality – go bad or go home.
What they Say: “Carefully filtered through bourbon barrel charred oak”
Taste: 4.0 – It has an initial sweetness, but even alongside it you have some offness to the taste.
Aftertaste: 4.0 – Then it has an awful taste that is helped only by some sweetness that’s feels like some burnt candy.
Burn/Smooth: 4.0 – The spoonful of sugar does indeed help the medicine go down, but I would not say it makes the process a smooth and enjoyable process
Aroma: 4.0 – See I thought that was a nice sweet smell, but as it came to a finish it burned inside my nose, and that is not a good sign.
Honesty: 4.0 – Now it is a black rum, and coming from the Admiral it has that rotgut pirate aesthetic. However saying it’s carefully filtered through some oak – not aged, not kept just filtered through wood? Maybe it’s bad wording but I feel like they just ran some rum through some charcoaled wood and called it black – and a dishonest man is no man at all.
Mixability: 4.75
W/ Rocks: 3.0 – That simply waters it down, it does nothing to deter the bad taste, or halt the sweetness.
Rum and Coke: 6.5 – Be sure to not change out coke here with Pepsi or a more sugary knock-off. The sweetness here really comes forward, but make this a Libre with some lime, and it’s not bad.
Value: 6.0 – That is one of the more cheap options for a nice Cuba Libre, but then that’s it’s sole saving grace here.
Google Shop Average: $10
Website: http://www.admiralnelsonsrum.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 3.5
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Metric Score: 30.75/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.39 |+| Reviewer Average: 3.5
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Final Thoughts: Okay I have to admit – it’s a bit telling that all the scores were nearly 4’s across the board. This defines a subpar but not awful rum. It’s not rotgut, and the sugar really hides the fact of how bad this is. If however you are looking for a good black rum – get Kraken.
The very best dark rum they ever made.Very smooth to drink straight or mix with your favorite beverage.I prefer with Dr.Pepper or Rock star,regular and it is the best drink I ever had.Thank you Black Patch.