Dutch East Indies Trading, Ltd. Batavia Arrack Van Oosten

I adore this spirit, even though it's not actually a rum. It is close to a rum so that it can be substituted easily for some new flavors and notes. I adore this on the rocks and in cocktails, easily sipped and with a very interesting funkiness that I've yet to find anywhere else. It's borderline hogo but different, likely due to the Javanese red rice. Super tasty and unique and a classy bottle. Highly recommend picking this up!

I'll give it that. Recommended based on multiple recipes that intrigued me, so I picked it up the one chance I had. Not sure I would purchase again, but I don't have any particularly strong feelings toward this one either way.

On the nose: grassy, herbal, earthy on a moderately aggressive bouquet, not on the clairin scale but somewhere in between an agricole blanc and a young Jamaican. On the palate: more of that nose, with some savory notes and a malty finish. Not a sipper. Maybe a Ti' Punch to appreciate its distinct character, but a real star as a premium cocktail ingredient.

Notes are very similar to an agricole with a hint of rubber and a slightly pungent banana note alongside earthy flavors. Not bad, but definitely a bit too heavy to sip.

Nose is like an inexpensive tequila and the taste is a bitter sweet almost wine with a long carryover, not what you want. Based on the review i was hoping for a funky rum a bit dry but this does not make the cut for me. I cannot think of anything this could be mixed or blended in that I would like. Now I have to figure out how to use it up.

Hits all the typical Agricole notes but with a sweet wine finish on it. Interesting and unique

50% ABV (I think, unless it was By the Dutch that I tried...). Nose: smokey, sweet, bacon-y. A bit of a round, creamed corn note. Palate: very smooth and oily. Still sweet and smokey.

So, yeah... suuuuuuper weird. Wouldn't be my first pick for sipping, but extra points for being interesting, and probably makes a fun mixer. Oh man, the Bloody Marys you could make with this stuff! Not to mention the punches. I must make a batch of 'Rack Punch someday soon! (Everyone reading this, check out David Wondrich's 'Punch! The Delights and Dangers of the Flowing Bowl'. You're welcome.)

7+