Coruba Dark

First off, I admit up front I'm a bit confused...the label says this is an "imported 100% Jamaica rum" and the neck label reads "The Rum Co. of Jamaica" but their website has a New Zealand address and from what I have read online via multiple sources Coruba is a very popular source of rum in New Zealand and it is produced by J. Wray and Nephew. So it's kind of all over the map.

It's color is a dark, rich mahogany and it has a strong yet satisfying aroma. One point needs to be made at this time: according to some online sources, their website says caramel was added for color and flavor however as of the time of this review I do not see that indicated on their website. In fact, I don't see any mention of the Coruba Dark rum anywhere on their website. Could it be that this is a discontinued rum? If it is then it's a shame...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Rums from Jamaica tend to be fuller in flavor and not sweet. This rum is no exception. It is a rum with character and punch. It is a blended rum that has been aged for a few years in American oak barrels (not sure if charred, toasted, or plain -- or whether bourbon, whisky, rye, or what was initially aged in the barrels). There is evidence initially of molasses in the flavor rapidly overtaken by the oak tannins. So there is a bit of initial sweetness and a little vanilla/toffee undertone but then the oak nature becomes apparent. There is a decent burn with this rum but it does not last. The finish is a bit drier than expected with a little metallic aftertaste.

Definitely not a sipping rum but a very usable mixing rum. Admittedly my current favorite dark rum is Cayman Reef Double Black but that's more of a sweeter/spicier dark rum. This one is more pungent and full-flavor. Both are good mixing rums worth adding to one's rum cabinet. And it's quite inexpensive as well.

I love this rum. I'm predisposed to liking dark rums. I'm sure you can find a better rum, but you will be pressed for a better value.

Coruba has a longstanding history with Tiki. After Trader Vic used up the world’s supply of the 17-year-old J. Wray & Nephew, he reformulated his Mai Tai recipe with the 15-year-old J. Wray & Nephew and Coruba.

That said, Coruba is one of the best (after Kohala Bay) dark Jamaican mixing rums - that is, in terms of the money and for what you get in terms of a quality, funky, and versatile product who's history goes all the way back to our Tiki forefathers. Coruba is not a rum to be sipped and contemplated; it is solely a mixer where a heavily-bodied and slightly funky dark Jamaican rum is called for.

As a testament to many Tiki historians, rum connoisseurs, bar owners, and mixologists, many will tell you that Coruba is the preemptive dark Jamaican mixing rum. Other popular choices are Myers's dark, and Appleton Estate, although the latter two are considerably more expensive.

NOTE: Coruba is colored for extra depth and sweetness and is heavily charred in small American oak barrels for at least two years before high quality molasses is added to it. In New Zealand, Coruba dark is marketed as 'Coruba Original Blend,' with the proof slightly lower at an odd 37.2%. Coruba is distilled and imported from Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew, but is not distributed commercially in Jamaica.

Rather sharp alcohol taste and lacking some sweetness. A strong oak taste, but no complexity.

This rum smells of molasses, which is kind of nice, but it's also very dry. Has a fair amount of oakiness to it as well.

Though it's good, I had it alongside a Myers Dark, and I definitely preferred the Myers because the Myers was a little sweeter and had a touch of spice.

But if you prefer dryer rums, you might appreciate this for the money.

This rum isn't very easy for me to get so I was hoping I wouldn't think it was anything special, but it's flavor in a PKNY alone is enough to make think I'll need to keep some on hand going forward.

Not for everyone, but if you enjoy tiki cocktails you'll find a place this fits.

Aroma - molasses followed by cinnamon, plum, and roasted banana

Taste - cinnamon raisin bread followed by brown sugar and a barrel spice finish

Not at all what I expected. This has the Jamaican funk and punch of Wray & Nephew, but the rounder dark notes of Smith & Cross. It sort of feels like a cross between the two, just at a lower proof. Fantastic in tiki drinks that call for a dark Jamaican rum.

Soft nose, I get a citrus molasses. Palate adds a vanilla note with an ethanol bite. A little sharp going down. I can see this working more Asa mixer.

Tasted at the Forbidden Hole on Small Business Saturday, November 25 2023.
Appearance: dark amber
Aroma: molasses
Flavor: complex and hot but not unpleasant. This rum has some dust to it, the molasses is mostly in the aroma and appearance.