Ricks new tasting glass from Lexington Glass Works

Welcome back. I wanted to dedicate more space and more time to Manatawney Still Works to highlight their rums without having all the information run together.

Randy McKinley has been my main contact at MSW and we have exchanged a few emails and he has enlightened me about their aging of rums. He is the head of Marketing and sales at MSW and filled me in a bit about how they approach rum.

The T. Rutter Rum we tasted yesterday is their backbone. It is a raw sugar rum, and that accounts for the wonderful sweet taste throughout. Even so - I detected a molasses late taste especially after watering it.

In effect what they have been doing is experimenting aging using different barrels. The sample I have was distilled 12/10/14. Barreling occurred 12/29/14. The tag information also states that the rum was placed into three barrels. 2, 30 gallon MSW Whiskey Honeycomb & 1 55 gallon Four Roses Whiskey barrel. So I am tasting Batch 2 and it looks like barrel number (overall) 118. Let's get to tasting!!!


First, we sniff: Often with whiskey barrel aged rums, the bouquet is overwhelmingly whiskey. Considering there are two whiskeys involved, I would not have been surprised if that was even more pronounced. Got to say -- the aromas were quite balanced! Very subtle whiskey with a sweet overtone. I would say, if the MSW Whiskey Honeycomb does have honey with it - perhaps that is added to the sugar-sweet that is this rum's signature. I also got the butterscotch richness and I swear a touch of brown sugar.
Let's taste; First, neat. The barrel is apparent at first sip, but lovingly so. Wood is there and just playing a nice accompaniment. the Whiskey and the wood are not overpowering, but I would call them enriching.
Once I add water the richness smooths out. This is a nice, pleasant sipping rum that will please the persons who like to experience a soothing, flavor that can be enjoyed
one light sip at a time. Ice, as with their white, T. Rutter, intensifies the flavors and brings out a deeper aroma. I see this as a great mixer for drinks that you'd want a robust flavored rum to join in with the ingredients. I imagine a Cubra Libre, with this rum component, being addicting.

Manatawney Still Works has a very good web page. I invite you to read the Journals that are offered to get insight into their passions, their spirits and the fun! They also have a Facebook page that will keep you up to date. Hopefully too we should see them on our page: American Made Rum.

So -- we have thoroughly enjoyed the rums we have tasted. Looking forward to more great new ones to come!! One day soon I hope to visit Pennsylvania and maybe stop by to see everyone at Manatawney Still Works.... Until then, I am...