Hmmm, cheaply made, I'd have to think about that. What counts as cheaply made? Molasses/Can Juice is fermented, then Distilled and aged. The same process in every single distillery. A difference could be Barrels used to age?! Basically, for me, I'd just say that the sweetness masks a flavour, thats all...but if you think about it as a Business, what would sell more and make you more money? Rum where you taste lots of Wood, or Rum that is sweeter and appeals to the mass market. Better to have a 1% stake in the 95% Market as opposed to a 1% stake in the 5% market. We're literally talking the difference between selling multiple 6 figure bottles a year, and maybe 4 figure bottles a year! At the end of the day, it's all good having an unsweetened Rum, but if you can't sell it to make decent money, What's the point?! Unless you're just a hobby business. I mean Zacapa as a Brand is worth a hell lot more than Foursquare. Yes, Foursquare is a "better rum" to most Rum fans. But more people will buy Zacapa.
@@StevetheBarmanRumReviews cheaply made in that they take poorly distilled spirit and add sugar, vanillin, and glycerin to it to give the appearance of quality without the skill. Then charge premium prices to people who mistake familiar for quality.
Love the content, Steve! Before I found your channel, I used to be strictly a whisk(e)y drinker because of the depth and craft of the category. After watching some videos and learning more about rum, I have started my rum journey and I am absolutely loving it. Thank you!
Have to agree. Tried the 21 at a recent drinks festival, and the 15 is far superior but not worth the extra £ compared to the 12. Was lucky enough to try the 2002 Hearts. Now that's some tasty rum!!
“Go chop down a tree” 😂 I get your point. Someone should just aged the rum for a few years and then just put it in a stainless steel tank for the rest of the aging process.
fun video! not sure why, but its always more fun to watch the cringe reactions than good ones any plan of reviewing plantation sealander maybee? im getting very diverse opinions on it and its not exactly cheap
Hi there, mr Steve this is a tiki fan couple enjoying your content. I appreciate your reviews and I LOVE when you dismiss appleton and other old barbados rums (maybe cause i agree with u). Please keep u with it. i still dont understand the coke and ginger bits, but ok for the wider audience
Ha, i hear ya, but without Coke and Ginger Beer... Rum simply doesn't even come close to being a sustainable market! It's like trying to sell Gin, without any Tonic!
I just got back from cornwall you need to try cornish rock navy strength rum and fowey valley cider brandy they are both amazing and cheap maybe do a whole month of british rums
Hey Steve. Love your content as always. Have you done a video on just foursquare distillery rums? I kind of think of that distillery as the Buffalo trace of the rum industry actually. I am a whisky drinker and I have been trying out some decent sipping rums. Doorly’s 12 year from foursquare is EXCELLENT! I know you did not care for that one too much, but I am very curious about the other brands. R.L sealed and the others. Could you do a video with all of 4square at once? Top picks of each brand?
@@StevetheBarmanRumReviews ok. thanks Steve. I will check that out. you are actually the one who sold me on the Doorly's 12 year rum. Your comments of "soggy wood" and "if you like whisky, this might be good for you" that said to me, "yep, I'm buying that". One of the best sipping rums I have had and It cost me less than my favorite bourbons. Woodford Reserve 750 ml cost around $43-60. Doorly's 12yo- $30!! I cannot make that up. very affordable here in the U.S.A. That almost makes me want to leave bourbon completely and go to Rum. El Dorado is similar in this pricing and quality as well.
I love the original Zacapa. I have noticed with most XO's of all brands, I don't really enjoy them as much. I almost feel like the XO label is a sure fire way for me to feel like I overpaid for a bottle especially when everyone sells a more affordable rum with more character. Am I on to something here? What Does the XO really signify to you and what does it actually mean? Thanks Steve!
