Objective Notes

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

Old New Orleans Cajun Spiced rum is deep copper and caramel in color. It’s complex and clean nose reveals a kaleidoscope of fused aromas including nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel, cherry-vanilla, a hint of fennel, but no burning alcohol sensation.  Initial tasting brings out the vanilla, and cool spice.  A medium body follows true to the aromas with the addition of roasted chicory root and a little warmth of cayenne up front in a fine blend of flavors. A delightfully warm finish, medium in length, leaves you savoring the complex flavors leaving a smile on your face.

Anecdotal Notes

RnD was introduced to Old New Orleans Cajun Spiced Rum at the “Ministry of Rum” tasting competition in New Orleans in 2007, where we toured the distillery with Mike "Elvis" Karnowski, one of the distillers at Celebration Distillation. It is certainly an appropriate product for the distillery given its location right in the heart of New Orleans. According to Chris Sule, one of the distillers at Celebration Distillation, the idea for Cajun Spice came “one lucky night in March of 2007”. It’s made from pure brown cane sugar in small 500 gallon batches ensuring excellent quality control. Like all their rums, the presentation is simple and direct; a tall round clear bottle with distinctive red label and a fleur-de-lys sticker above it capped off with a red foil encased screw cap.  A print from an original painting of New Orleans architecture appears on the back side of label.  The artist is James Michalopoulos, who founded the distillery, but his work is more fully appreciated when the rum is gone! 

Taster’s Opinion

Roger - Its hard to find truly exceptional spiced rum outside of the Caribbean but there are a few available if you look hard enough. Old New Orleans Cajun Spiced Rum is one of the best I’ve found with its unique blend of flavors that any rum lover will surely get pleasure from. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail but I recommend it neat or in a simple cocktail where its flavors won’t be masked.

Dave - The folks at the Celebration distillery devote their creative energy toward developing new distillation processes and filtration techniques to develop better rums, and it is paying off.  Cajun Spice is smooth and complex enough to enjoy neat, while a little ice may enhance and balance the flavors.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Roger - 9.0 Flasks;  Dave - 8.5 Flasks

Most recently tasted by: Roger and Dave in May, 2008 in RnD’s North and South Tasting Rooms USA.