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

Visually the rum is a very pale yellow and almost clear in color. Its aroma consists of what you’d expect in a vanilla rum but with a soft natural vanilla smell. The aroma is almost heavy (but not overpowering) with vanilla, and less so with sweet drawn butter exhibited in an almost dairy-like essence. Overall the aroma is very clean and pure with no off odors of strong alcohol.  The initial taste follows the aroma with a natural tasting vanilla body, coupled with a slight warmth, which you’d expect in a 80 proof rum. The amount of heat is even less than we expected from this unaged rum.  The rum finishes with pleasant bit of caramel and toffee, slightly sweet but dry with a nice lingering vanilla aftertaste.

Anecdotal Notes

The Vanilla Bean Rum is one of Dan Watson’s many spiced or flavored rums. Dan plans to introduce several unique rums to the market during 2008. His processes for making and aging rum are innovative and possibly revolutionary depending on his success. He uses novel methods to prematurely age his rum which results in a smoother drink with no barrel aging required. And no, we can’t reveal his secrets. Dan uses only premium whole ingredients, not extracts, to flavor his rums, which are hand made in small batches so he can keep tight control over the process. For example, Madagascar vanilla beans are used in this rum, and you can taste the difference.

Many of the popular flavored rums are actually not technically rum because their alcoholic content has been lowered below 40% (most are 20-30%), with added sugar water, artificial flavors, etc. However, Temptryst’s vanilla flavored rum is full strength yet smooth, and made using natural flavoring ingredients. It is very clean tasting, neither overpowering nor too sweet.

Taster’s Opinion
Roger - Temptryst Vanilla Bean Flavored Rum is an example of a quality, flavored, full strength rum. I like that it’s made with real vanilla beans in small batches as compared to other flavored rums targeted for the mass market. It would be my choice for a rum and coke or in a cocktail that called for a vanilla flavored rum. It isn’t on the market yet (November 2007). Once it becomes available, don’t hesitate to purchase a bottle. It worked extremely well in a rum and coke. I expect would be good in any cocktail or mixed drink calling for a vanilla flavored rum — especially where you want to taste the rum.

Dave - The easy sipping body indicates Temptryst Vanilla Bean Flavored Rum is distilled with competence, as it is rather gentle and free of bad alcohols and other nasty flavors. It bridges the gap between sipping rums and flavored rums. As a flavored rum, this would be my choice for making cocktails that call for vanilla flavoring.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Roger - 8 Flasks; Dave - 8 Flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Roger and Dave in November, 2007 at RnD's North and South tasting rooms in the USA.