Equiano African-Caribbean Rum

Product of: Barbados

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Named after freed slave, writer and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano, this is a blend of rums sourced from Gray's Distillery, Mauritius and Foursquare Distillery, Barbados.

The name is appropriate as Olaudah was born in Africa but was transported to Barbados before settling in England as a freedman, where he played an important role in the abolition movement. In honour of Olaudah and his beliefs, the Equiano Rum Co. donate 5% of annual profits to equality projects.

This blend of molasses-based rums from two different continents is billed as being "the world's first Afro-Caribbean Rum." The column distilled rum from Grays is aged in a combination of French Limousin oak and ex-Cognac casks for 10 years while the Foursquare rums were aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of 8 years in Barbados. The blend was assembled and bottled at Foursquare.

Equiano proudly has "no additives, no added sugar, spices or colourants making it 100% natural."

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 17/02/2020

Appearance:

Clear golden amber with bronze highlights.

Aroma:

Toasty oak, candied orange peel, moist fruitcake, boatyard varnish, vanilla and caramel.

Taste:

Medium to full-bodied. Bone dry with a black pepper and cinnamon spirituous bite. Pronounced cognac notes with well-integrated flavours of dried fruit, bitter orange marmalade, passion fruit and vanilla.

Aftertaste:

Long dry lightly spicy finish with dried fruit, bitter orange zest and faint anise.

Overall:

Complex and elegant with pronounced cognac-like notes. Indeed, this is a rum that drinks like a fine cognac – but without the added sugar.