Notes: Most people think rum is a Caribbean spirit – while there have been some attempts to establish some geographical restrictions ( similar to cognac, champagne and tequila for example) they have so far been unsuccessful.
Rum as most people understand it has historically  been from the Caribbean basin but local home grown variants were around in many countries and usually appeared when distillation technology became available in an area.
Sugar cane is generally thought tho be of Chinese or at least Asian origin and was spread rapidly across the globe by European settlers as a cash crop anywhere they could get it to grow. Sugar cane (and its by product from sugar production molasses) was widely grown by most of the European settlements. Tanduay uses a older heritage variety of sugar cane and unlike some of the most popular white rums in the US actually ages its white rum in used barrels for up to 5 years in its blending. It also does not filter its rum to death so you have more taste and slight color to it than a silver rum that was processed to death.

Appearance: Clear slightly yellow cane sugar cast to it ( think agave syrup).On swirling it leaves a light to medium coat on the glass with a ring of droplets forming as the edge line retreats.

First Impression: Slightly fruity with toasted cane and grass notes,lingons, rambutans , oak vanilla with suggestions of coconut  in the background. Slightly spirity fruity note developing later on.

Taste: Slightly odd mineral like finish at the end with tang of oriental fruits and esters

Drinks: Works well and adds an interesting spin of flavors over the usual white rums.

Bottle: Interesting design, clear glass with slightly flared foot.Oriental design/graphics pressed into glass above and below the  paper label and “Rum of Distinction EST 1854” below shoulder but above design on bottle. Design is repeated on screw cap and neck capsule except in silver on black, with “Heritage Asian Cane and small red stripe with distillery info over a slightly bulbous neck . Paper label is easy to read, somewhat striking and combines a number of style elements to pull of an altogether stylish look.Overall feel of bottle  is good and the look is Asian /Far East without being overdone or tacky.

Other: Heritage (Heirloom?) variety of sugar cane is used.

Final Thoughts: Not many. Decent enough rum but not by any means compelling or particularly wonderful. A bit pricey compared to a number of other brands without many stand out qualities to justify the price, or conversely reason not to spend a few dollars more for a better rum.

Website: http://www.tanduayusa.com

Easy to navigate website with some information