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Country: Mauritius (Africa)
Aged: Up to 6 Years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Limited
Price: $32-$39 (750 mL)
Rating:
The Review:
Before we get started, let me confess that I really hate
this rum's bottle design.
There. I said it. Now we can get on with the rum itself...
Starr African Rum is actually a rum of two names. Within
the US, it is sold under the label Starr African Rum, but
outside the US it is known as Green Island rum.
In both cases, it is made from sugar cane
grown in volcanic soil and distilled like a vodka and that,
instead of the bottle, should get
your attention.
This rum is crafted on the island of Mauritius, east of
Madagascar in the southern Indian Ocean making it easily one of
the msot remote and unusual places I have ever seen an
internationally available rum come from. Additionally,
just to show off, the distiller donates a portion of their
proceeds to various African charities in an effort to become
"Newman's Own" of rum charities.
Once we past all this back story and actually crack open the
horrendous bottle, you are greated by the very clean and gentle aromas
of vanilla and alcohol floating free. The rum itself pours clear
and clean, almost as if the rum is trying to apologize for it's
container.
If you rush the first taste, you'll find the alcohol to be a
little strong
but if allowed to breathe a minute or two it gives way to
flavors of earthy cherry and brown sugar.
Cherry is also identified in the taste as the prominent flavor,
followed by anise, vanilla, and ginger, closing out with a
slight bittersweet aftertaste.
Ultimately, due to it's exhaustive distilling process, I expected
this rum to have a bit more
smoothness. However, as far as white rums go, the sipping is
acceptable, as the cherry flavor is present enough, yet subtle
enough, to make for an interesting drink had neat. Plus
you're helping a charity...
On the rocks
with a touch of lemon, as recommended on the bottle, is pretty
good but Starr is most effective in cocktails
(the cherry adds a nice complementing note to Hemingway
Daiquiris).
For my tastes, it's a little too pricey since it's
primarily a mixing rum, though it's definitely worth a try as it
makes for an interesting drink. For traditional Mojitos to rum
and cokes to the specialty mixes listed on their site, I am sure Starr
would be a hit at high-end parties.
Starr African Rum is actually a rum of two names. Within
the US, it is sold under the label Starr African Rum, but
outside the US it is known as Green Island rum.
In both cases, it is made from sugar cane
grown in volcanic soil and distilled like a vodka and that,
instead of the bottle, should get
your attention.
This rum is crafted on the island of Mauritius, east of
Madagascar in the southern Indian Ocean making it easily one of
the msot remote and unusual places I have ever seen an
internationally available rum come from. Additionally,
just to show off, the distiller donates a portion of their
proceeds to various African charities in an effort to become
"Newman's Own" of rum charities.
Once we past all this back story and actually crack open the
horrendous bottle, you are greated by the very clean and gentle aromas
of vanilla and alcohol floating free. The rum itself pours clear
and clean, almost as if the rum is trying to apologize for it's
container.
If you rush the first taste, you'll find the alcohol to be a
little strong
but if allowed to breathe a minute or two it gives way to
flavors of earthy cherry and brown sugar.
Cherry is also identified in the taste as the prominent flavor,
followed by anise, vanilla, and ginger, closing out with a
slight bittersweet aftertaste.
Ultimately, due to it's exhaustive distilling process, I expected
this rum to have a bit more
smoothness. However, as far as white rums go, the sipping is
acceptable, as the cherry flavor is present enough, yet subtle
enough, to make for an interesting drink had neat. Plus
you're helping a charity...
On the rocks
with a touch of lemon, as recommended on the bottle, is pretty
good but Starr is most effective in cocktails
(the cherry adds a nice complementing note to Hemingway
Daiquiris).
For my tastes, it's a little too pricey since it's
primarily a mixing rum, though it's definitely worth a try as it
makes for an interesting drink. For traditional Mojitos to rum
and cokes to the specialty mixes listed on their site, I am sure Starr
would be a hit at high-end parties.
This rum is crafted on the island of Mauritius, east of
Madagascar in the southern Indian Ocean making it easily one of
the msot remote and unusual places I have ever seen an
internationally available rum come from. Additionally,
just to show off, the distiller donates a portion of their
proceeds to various African charities in an effort to become
"Newman's Own" of rum charities.
Once we past all this back story and actually crack open the
horrendous bottle, you are greated by the very clean and gentle aromas
of vanilla and alcohol floating free. The rum itself pours clear
and clean, almost as if the rum is trying to apologize for it's
container.
If you rush the first taste, you'll find the alcohol to be a
little strong
but if allowed to breathe a minute or two it gives way to
flavors of earthy cherry and brown sugar.
Cherry is also identified in the taste as the prominent flavor,
followed by anise, vanilla, and ginger, closing out with a
slight bittersweet aftertaste.
Ultimately, due to it's exhaustive distilling process, I expected
this rum to have a bit more
smoothness. However, as far as white rums go, the sipping is
acceptable, as the cherry flavor is present enough, yet subtle
enough, to make for an interesting drink had neat. Plus
you're helping a charity...
On the rocks
with a touch of lemon, as recommended on the bottle, is pretty
good but Starr is most effective in cocktails
(the cherry adds a nice complementing note to Hemingway
Daiquiris).
For my tastes, it's a little too pricey since it's
primarily a mixing rum, though it's definitely worth a try as it
makes for an interesting drink. For traditional Mojitos to rum
and cokes to the specialty mixes listed on their site, I am sure Starr
would be a hit at high-end parties.
If you rush the first taste, you'll find the alcohol to be a
little strong
but if allowed to breathe a minute or two it gives way to
flavors of earthy cherry and brown sugar.
Cherry is also identified in the taste as the prominent flavor,
followed by anise, vanilla, and ginger, closing out with a
slight bittersweet aftertaste.
Ultimately, due to it's exhaustive distilling process, I expected
this rum to have a bit more
smoothness. However, as far as white rums go, the sipping is
acceptable, as the cherry flavor is present enough, yet subtle
enough, to make for an interesting drink had neat. Plus
you're helping a charity...
On the rocks
with a touch of lemon, as recommended on the bottle, is pretty
good but Starr is most effective in cocktails
(the cherry adds a nice complementing note to Hemingway
Daiquiris).
For my tastes, it's a little too pricey since it's
primarily a mixing rum, though it's definitely worth a try as it
makes for an interesting drink. For traditional Mojitos to rum
and cokes to the specialty mixes listed on their site, I am sure Starr
would be a hit at high-end parties.
On the rocks
with a touch of lemon, as recommended on the bottle, is pretty
good but Starr is most effective in cocktails
(the cherry adds a nice complementing note to Hemingway
Daiquiris).
For my tastes, it's a little too pricey since it's
primarily a mixing rum, though it's definitely worth a try as it
makes for an interesting drink. For traditional Mojitos to rum
and cokes to the specialty mixes listed on their site, I am sure Starr
would be a hit at high-end parties.
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