This is a relatively new type of product that has been developed primarily in the Northeastern United States. While there have been attempts at Maple (syrup) liqueurs and vodkas in the past, none of which caught on to any huge degree, not to mention some truly awful flavored whiskies, this is one of the few attempts at a “rum” made from maple syrup or maple sap.

Notes: Last Shot Distillery is (at this writing June of 2016)  one of the newest distilleries in New York State ( producing, selling, and aging products not just setting up as many others are at the moment). Run by Chris Uyehara and a very small team, Chris is a master chef and pastry chef and brings his art and attention to detail to all his products.
Made in small (about 100 gallon)  stills, they concentrate on small batch and quality. Their current line up includes a nicely flavorful vodka, an extremely flavorful and rich unaged white whiskey a 100% corn unaged white whiskey, and an oak stave aged version of this maple rum, along with a bourbon, a gin, and other products in development and to be bottled and released at some future point. Please check here and on their website for new products and updates.

Appearance: Clear, sap like appearance, slightly oily on swirling,  it clings to the glass nicely, it clings in a light coat quite tenaciously to the glass forming an irregular edge line with some droplets followed by tears and legs. Occasionally I have noticed some “floaters” as they are called in the trade, in this case, it is simply some maple sugar crystals which disappear when you shake the bottle gently, it is simply sugar precipitating out. It also proves that this spirit is not filtered to death or uses some sort of stabilizer to make it pretty at the cost of product integrity.

First Impression: Rum like, with hints of maple woodiness and a drier note than what ou would normally get from a rum, with a pleasant bouquet that one cannot place, but smells hopeful all the same,

Taste: Smooth, somewhat thick consistency/mouthfeel entry with a bit of dryness popping up after a bit, notes of maple sugar, wood, slight cinnamon spice, sap or sugar taste but nicely dry unlike a number of maple-flavored products that seem to equate sugar/corn syrup to maple. Thankfully this is not the case. Delicious as a dry maple spirit, one of the few we know of.

Drinks: Not really sure what to do with it. It is a very intriguing spirit, well made, just not sure…
One idea would be to use it instead of a Scotch Whiskey or drier variety of rum.

Would be a great addition to a mixologists cabinet, but will require some out-of-the-box thinking, as this is an out-of-the-box type of spirit.

Bottle: Tall thin 375 ML Eau de Vie bottle makes for a nice presentation and shelf presence on your bar.

Other: One of the best and most true to its origins maple spirits we have had. Refreshingly dry, with a good maple taste and woody finish.

Final Thoughts: As usual with the Last Shot Distillery a well done and thoughtfully made product. Just not sure what to do with it. An outstanding example of a Maple based spirit.

For a list of Last Shot Distilleries Medals and Accolades Click Here.

Website: http://www.lastshotdistillery.com

Simple put well laid out website, easy to navigate. Not a great deal of information, but fast to load and easy to find most of what you might want to know.