Roaring Dan's Rum

I was recently introduced to Rehorst Gin and Vodka, both of which are made here in Milwaukee at Rehorst Distilleries.

Last week they started selling Roaring Dan's Rum and I just bought my first bottle a few minutes ago. So, I thought I might do a tasting, right here, right now!

First of all, the bottle. I love the flip-style top on it. It sort of gives it some character, like some of those old beer bottles from the '50s. The simple lable with a nautical theme are very cool too.

Here is a picture and some text that I lifted from their website:

"Roaring Dan's Rum is distilled from fermented grade "A" sugar cane molasses. Before a second distillation, pure Wisconsin maple syrup is added. The rum is then aged in a combination of new charred American white oak barrels and used bourbon barrels. The hint of maple we add gives Roaring Dan's Rum a buttery sweetness on palette entry followed by a dry finish. Try it straight up or in your favorite mixer. Be sure to check our cocktail database for some great rum cocktails.

Who was Roaring Dan?

All rum's need a pirate. Our's is no exception. Our pirate is Roaring Dan Seavey. Unlike some of those other rum pirates Dan didn't wear feathers and knee britches. He didn't have a boat load of thugs to do his dirty work and he sure doesn't have an expensive marketing company plastering his face in every bar and liquor store in the free world. No Madison Avenue types have ever even heard of Dan, but you can be sure Dan was all pirate.

Dan didn't ply the Caribbean, his home was on the Great Lakes. Although the facts and fiction of Dan's life have become twisted over the years, we do know Dan was the only man ever arrested for piracy on the Great Lakes.

Dan owned a saloon and brothel in Milwaukee and left to join the Alaskan gold rush only to return to the Great Lakes broke.

In 1908 Dan stole a ship- the Nellie Johnson by getting the captain and crew drunk.

The Tuscarrora, a government Revenue Cutter based in Milwaukee was sent to pursue Dan and eventually captured him after firing a warning shot from their cannon.

After being taken to Chicago to face charges Dan was released and later charges were mysteriously dropped.

Classic Wisconsin has a great article on Dan Seavey.

Roaring Dan's Rum is flavored with 100% pure maple syrup from Anderson's Maple Syrup in Cumberland WI.

Roaring Dan's Maple Flavored Rum Contains 45% Alcohol By Volume (90 Proof)."



Quite an interesting story, no?



I poured about 2 ounces in a mai tiai glass and gave it a once over. It is light-amber in color and very clear. For a young rum it had suprisingly good legs on the glass. The nose is a bit strong at first, but lingers a long time with hints of vanilla and butterscotch (at least to my nose).

The initial taste is very pleasant, but get's very hot quickly. I suppose that might be what you'd expect from a young rum. The finish, however, is quite nice. The bottle says it is "Maple Flavored", but I was only able to percieve the slightest maple flavor, and that might have only been because I was expecting it. To me it tastes very buttery, which I love. Keep in mind, I'm no expert by any stretch.
 
I'll be making some Mai Tais tonight, so I'll post some recipes and reviews again very soon.
 
A toast to Captain Seavey! Arrrrrrrrgh!!