Hello all. Gotta say while we have had a really mild winter here in the Midwest, I still would like to see Spring a quickly as possible! We are in planning for travel this year and I cant wait to drive, fly to new places (maybe some old places) relax and maybe find a new rum!
Today we will be tasting one of two rums. They are from Manatawney Still Works and with a bad cold/infection, we have not been able to pop open the samples they sent until ... Today! Gotta tell you I am excited. First, lets talk about the Distiller.
A few months ago I was searching through states that we had on our Directory, that had no Rum Distillers on them. Pennsylvania was one. I wrote a blog about what I had found, but the great people at MSW got back, wanted to share and offered samples (makes it SO much easier for me to get to you, what the spirit is all about.) So, here is the story:

First - T. Rutter Rum. This is their un-aged Rum. As you can imagine, this is their signature rum, their baby. I poured out a sample and went from their.
As always, I sniffed. Oh, so glad I waited until my nose was working 100%! The aroma was immediate, quite intense to be frank. A NICE intense with an immediate sweetness. There seemed (to me) a hint
of citrus. the molasses was background and all of it was very soothing. Very smooth smelling. I like this as many distillers are putting clear rum, un-aged out there that is made to mix. I often find a mediciney bouquet that, while no where near awful, kind of announces that this might make a great mixed drink; its not for sipping. Of course, the big test is in the sip.
First sip - in the glass - no water no ice. Very smooth the sweetness is immediate, as I swished a bit the molasses flavor came up a bit (welcomed too). After swallowing there was a slight sweet aftertaste and the 80 proof spirit left a clean, just slightly tingly feel. Very pleasant indeed!
T. Rutter is a great rum to put as your rock, your foundation to distill. It is not a one use rum, it would be welcome by many many enthusiasts as well as students of the taste. Well done guys! Now let's water it and cool it.
I added just a tiny splash (I had less than an ounce of T. Rutter in my glass) and a nice sip. The Aromas remained, I felt, with more intensity. The sweetness at first taste is there and definitely more intense. I liked that. Lost the hint of citrus (to me). Too may people forget that just adding a bit of water to a rum really opens it up. This is true with most spirits.
I then added a couple of ice crescents. The taste, as with water, remained. The molasses was a bit more pronounced in the taste. For me (I like chilled) the mouth-feel is very rich. The Molasses bouquet was there as one sniffs as they taste and the flavor of molasses is more urgent, more immediate. If this is their base Rum for further aging and experimentation - you have a great foundation to build upon!
Here is what Manatawney has to say about their T. Rutter Rum:
"Pioneers like ironmaster Thomas Rutter forged possibilities in the land where Manatawney Still Works now distills our rum. Rutter was one of the first and his Manatawney Forge is recalled in this double-distilled spirit.
Straight or in a cocktail, T. Rutter Rum is homage to the forgotten founders."
Well done rum is what I say and my lips are ready for the next sip of their aged rum.

I had so much to say, I want both rums to get their time in the sun, or in my glass. So I am enticing you to come back for the aged rum. More about that, tomorrow! Don't miss a post!