When you first open a bottle of Banks 7 Golden Age Rum, you’re in for a pleasant experience. Sweet spice aromas of blended rums fill your nose. Those distinct aromas from Jamaican and Barbados style rums are what greet you first. You can gather the complexities of this rum even before tasting. Banks 7 is a blen of 23 different rums from 8 distilleries from 7 different orinigs. A truly unique and one of a kind rum. The 7 origins are listed on the beautiful, sophisticated bottle. Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Guatemala, Panama and Java.

From Trinidad, there are hints of blackstrap molasses. This gives the rum so much character. After all, most rums are made from molasses.

From Jamaica comes pot-stilled rums. Jamaican rums are famous for their distinct aromatic flavor. They brought those aromatics to Banks 7. The pot-stilled rum brings a “bite” to Banks 7.

From Guyana comes the earthy and tropical notes which you get on the forefront of your palate. We may not all be familiar with Guyana style rums, but it brings some depth to Banks 7.

From Barbados comes the zest of Barbados style rums. Adding to the brightness of Banks 7.

From Guatemala comes the sugar cane. The sugar cane yields a toasted nut flavor to the rum. The toasted nut characteristics pair well with the aged flavors.

From Panama comes the dry notes you get from aged rums. It blends well with the woodsy notes in the rum.

From Java comes Batavia Arrack which lends spice. Arrack is a distilled spirit made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers, sugar cane, grain (red rice) or fruit depending on it’s country of origin. The spirit is sometimes blended and then aged and filtered.

On the palate, you do get some sweet fruit and molasses notes followed by spice and a punch from the Jamaican and Barbados Rums. This medium-bodied rum is definitely a smooth, but light and easy sipper. Try it in your next Old Fashioned.

The bottle is “sophisticated” and sleek with all of the 7 origins stenciled on the lower half and a beautiful purple label covering the upper half.

As far as cocktails go, this rum lends it’s self to the possibilities of many. Classic or original. The first one is an original. Mixing some banana infused rum and apricot brandy, I wanted to play on the tropical notes in Banks 7.

The “7 Origins” Cocktail:

1 1/2oz. Banks 7 Golden Age Rum

3/4oz. Apricot Liqueur

3/4oz. Lime Juice

1/2oz. Banana Infused Rum

1/2oz. Simple Syrup [Or Demerara Syrup]

2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

*Add all ingredients to shaker and fill with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into chilled coupe or over fresh ice.

The “Airmail” Cocktail:

1 1/2oz. Banks 7 Rum

3/4oz. Honey Syrup [1 Part Honey : 1 Part Water]

3/4oz. Lime Juice

2 Fresh Pineapple Chunks

1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Sparkling Wine

*Start by muddling 2 small chunks of pineapple in your shaker to release juice. Add remaining ingredients minus sparkling wine. Fill shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Double strain into champagne flute or fizz glass. Top with sparkling lime and garnish with lime twist.

Cheers from Banks Rum!