Objective Notes
Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

A distinctively spiced aroma from this amber-blonde rum alerts your senses to a good time.  Pronounced aromas of candied fruit and well balanced spices, such as cinnamon, clove are immediately apparent, then lesser  hints of banana, dried green apple, prune, and fig are discerned.  The initial taste shows clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, plus a bit of vanilla.  The finish is pleasant but a bit warm, as you’d expect from a rum aged briefly and with spices included inside the bottle.

Anecdotal Notes                                                                     Callwood spiced rum is blended on-site at the distillery on Tortola, British Virgin Islands, but distilled elsewhere.  It is definitely worth a visit to the historic and authentic Callwood distllery, reportedly the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Caribbean.  Located in beautiful Cane Gaden Bay, the distillery is equally authentic and photogenic; a centuries-old stone building is surrounded by sugar cane, the ancient but effective crusher easily accessible, and a pot still and other apparatus at the entrance are a feast for the rum archaeologist’s eyes. Step inside and allow Michael Callwood – great-grandson of the man who bought the operation from the Arundel estate so many years ago – to introduce you to his rums. 

Callwood Spiced Rum is enjoyable to drink and makes a great souvenir gift.  It’s simple label screams “Pirate” and “Caribbean”.  Topped with a hock of blue and white plaid cloth held in place with a hand-tied ribbon to cover the screw cap, the bottle has a fun presentation.

Taster’s Opinion
Dave - Served with a cube of ice, Callwood’s Spiced rum is a delicious drink, refreshingly one of the few spiced rums thaf can be sipped and enjoyed on its own.  It is also plenty flavorful and refined enough to use a mixer in rum punch and other cocktails, especially the BVI’s signature Painkiller.  And when ol’ man Winter comes calling, you can bet this is the foundation for a delicious eggnog.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):
Dave - 8.5 flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Dave in August, 2008 at RnD's South tasting room in USA.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.