Notes: Lost Spirits Distillery is probably one of the most amazing distilleries I have ever visited. I had the chance to vista there a few years ago after Bryan(Davis and Joanne ( Haruta) moved back to the states after selling their distillery in Barcelona which produced that wonderful Obsello Absinthe and Barcelona Gin a few years ago. Since then he moved to Salinas California and had been producing some amazing whiskies such as Levaithan and Bohemian Bonfire, both ultra smoked whiskies produced in a extremely unique hand built still,  another absinthe that we have not tried yet and now this Rum.

This rum is very unique on a number of counts.It is produced in a handmade copper pot still of Brians own design for a start and the ingredients are quite singular also.Lost Spirits uses a older style of fermentation which uses dunder a form of fermented fruit backset that when combined with other elements of fermentation and distillation produce a high ester type of rum that has characteristics of long aging in would and a very distinctive taste and appearance

Appearance: Clear dark caramel color in the glass Deep walnut or mahogany brown red  gold in the bottle, on swirling it leaves a nice even coat in the glass, with tears very slowly forming along the edge line

First Impression: Deep heavy molasses notes, with a equally heavy dose of long chained esters which give the impression of long oak aging. Lovely scents of baking molasses, demararra sugar,dried apricots,cinnamon, persimmons and spice. Best overproof rum we have ever had hands down.

Taste: Heavy molasses and cane sugar taste while not overly sweet, quite drinkable at full (136 proof) strength but not necessarily recommended for amateurs. Using a special mix of over ripe bananas Brian has managed to get a rum that tastes like it has been aged for years in oak. An intensely woody char taste balanced off by the sweetness and weight of the molasses make for a very heavy duty rum.Nicely drying finish of barrel char and smoke set this rum apart from the sticky sweet finish of most dark rums. Very much a manly rum.

Drinks: Use Lost Spirits Navy Strength for a Zombie, Painkiller, or any rum drink requiring a a dark rum with a lot of robust flavor and a high alcohol content.Or in the case of other drinks be sure to adjust the quantities involved so your guests do not slide bonelessly under the tables

Bottle: Heavy crystal type glass choice leads to s nice almost sparkling, clear glass bottle cylindrical brandy style in overall shape with a notably heavier clear glass foot to it giving it a  more prestige look and superior balance.Matte black neck capsule is almost fabric in texture with a natural cork with plastic disk top to easy opening but secure storage. Also removing that natural cork invokes an almost Pavlovian response – at least to us.  Seriously beautiful labeling and graphics almost bank note grade raised printing in a wrap around label with subtle shading and color choices to make a world class label and overall stunning package greater than the sum of its parts.

Other: The research, chemistry and ingenuity used to make this rum is almost as stunning as the result.

Final Thoughts: One of the best rums we have had in a while and certainly one of the most interesting from a production standpoint

Website: http://www.lostspirits.net