I completed the Kill Devil list on the patio at Forbidden Island today. I started the list in early 2018, but got probably 75% of the 106 rums purchased via take-out orders in the last few months. So, I’m pleased to be part of the “Quaranteam” who did this largely under lockdown.
My final rum was my favorite, Appleton 12, in a Mai Tai of course. This was our first baby step back to dining in person with table service on the patio at a table with Mrs. Mai Tai (who said the Chi-Chi’s were especially delicious today).
Thanks to some of the members of the “Forbidden Ohana” Facebook group for coming out to celebrate today, some of which were at conversation distance away at their own tables. Thank you to Dean Koenig for the pour of Foursquare 2008, a fantastic rum. I was at FI when Dean completed his Kill Devil list, so it’s very nice to see him today for mine. Cheers!
And thank you John and Michael and all the FI staff for support doing the list. I’ll look forward to seeing my plaque up on the bar someday when I’m patronizing inside again (FI opens for indoor dining starting tomorrow). I’ll start working on FI’s Kill Devil 2.0 rum list soon, though for a while I’ll be sticking to cocktails on my next few visits.
These rum clubs are a great way to try our some new rums. And while they aren’t all “winners” it is a great experience to talk with fellow patrons and the FI staff about the rums. For my 106 rums I kept short tasting notes and did rate the rums. I grade on the curve so there were lots of 3 star rums, but here are the top rums from the list.
5 Star
- English Harbor 5 yr
- Ron Barcelo Imperial
- Appleton 21 yr
- Appleton 12
- Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still
- Hamilton 86
- British Royal Navy Imperial
- Pampero Anniversario
4 Star
- Mount Gay Extra Old
- Real McCoy 12 yr
- St. Paul Dark Rum
- El Dorado 15 yr
- Skipper Rum
- Appleton Reserve
- Coruba
- Plantation Rum Jamaica
- Smith & Cross
- Clement Creole Shrubb
- Kuleana Hui Hui
Should come as no surprise to regular readers that my tastes favor Jamaica/Barbados/Guyana rums.
And now on to the next adventure of spreading the good word of rum.
