Chairman's Reserve Original Rum is a Other Rum from the Chairman's Reserve Rum brand crafted in Saint Lucia.
Chairman's Reserve Original Rum from St. Lucia blends both column and pot still rums, aged separately for 5 years before being married for an additional 6 months in oak casks. Interestingly, this rum was born out of necessity in 1999 when a fire destroyed much of the distillery, forcing the master blender to combine their remaining rum stocks, inadvertently creating a blend that became highly sought after.
Chairman's Reserve Original Rum stands out for its unique blend of both pot-still and column-still rums, aged separately before being married together for an additional six months in oak casks. This St. Lucian rum boasts a rich, complex flavor profile with notes of sweet raisin, tobacco, and spice, making it an excellent choice for both sipping neat and elevating classic rum cocktails.
Chairman's Reserve Original Rum shines in a variety of classic rum cocktails, but it's also delightful sipped neat or over ice to fully appreciate its complex flavors. This versatile spirit is perfect for warm summer evenings, pairing beautifully with grilled seafood or tropical fruit desserts, though its rich profile also makes it a welcome addition to cozy winter nights alongside hearty stews or spiced holiday treats.
Nose: Ripe banana and tropical fruit aromas lead, followed by hints of vanilla and caramel. A subtle oakiness adds complexity, with a touch of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg in the background.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a smooth texture. Initial flavors of brown sugar and molasses give way to notes of baked apples and dried apricots. Mild tobacco and leather undertones provide depth, while a gentle peppery spice adds warmth.
Finish: Medium-long finish with lingering notes of toasted oak and dark chocolate. A pleasant mix of sweet and dry sensations, with hints of tropical fruit fading slowly. A subtle warmth reminiscent of baking spices remains on the palate.
Chairman's Reserve Original Rum is crafted using a unique blend of column and pot still distillates, which are aged separately in ex-bourbon barrels before being married together. This double-aging process, followed by an additional six months of maturation after blending, allows the diverse flavor components to harmonize, resulting in a beautifully balanced rum with depth and complexity.
For my first foray into St. Lucian rum, this bottle did not disappoint. I love how each island of the Caribbean imparts its own influence into the rum that is produced, and Chairman’s Reserve is no exception. I’m no rummelier but I found this bottle deeply flavorful across the whole palette with an excellent molasses-y finish. With few St. Lucian picks accessible in my corner of the globe, I’ll definitely be ordering again.
Surprisingly good! I'd like to try their "reserve" or whatever the next step up from this is now. I hadn't had any St. Lucia rum before and this is almost a sipping-level flavor. It's not an island that you hear much about from the rum community. I like Jamaican, Barbados, Guyanese, and now St. Lucia as far as natural flavor without added sugars and flavors. (not that all rums from those places will be "undosed")
Spirit of Choice: RUM! (why isn't rum an option at the bottom of the review?! It's missing as a spirit!)
Jay, you're so right. What a miss! Adding rum in now :)
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