Handcrafted in small batches utilizing natural sugarcane from the Dominican Republic as well as other trade secrets, Kirk and Sweeney Rum is a 12-year-old traditional Caribbean rum from 35 Maple Street. Purveyors of other fine spirits such as Masterson’s Rye Whiskey and Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, 35 Maple Street resides in Sanoma, California where they hold the title of “spirits division” for The Other Guys (TOG), a cutting edge wine company with almost 110 years of libation crafting experience.
Before Kirk and Sweeney was launched as rum in late 2012 it was known both nautically and historically as a wooden schooner heralded for smuggling rum from the Caribbean to the Northeast during the early years of Prohibition. In-fact in 1924, the Kirk and Sweeney was seized off the coast of New York with a massive amount of rum aboard. The schooner was subsequently re- named “Chase” and pressed into duty as a Coast Guard trainer, serving until the late 1940’s when it was retired and salvaged.
Photo Credit: TOG Wine on Facebook
Production:
Kirk and Sweeney Rum is made in the Dominican Republic and aged for 12 years in American oak barrels. Its unique packaging – featuring a raised cork in an elegant low-set bottle – was inspired by short, round 18th-century bottles, which typically contained rum.
Fun Fact:
At the beginning of Prohibition, boats could legally stow rum as long as they were three nautical miles off the U.S. coast. In popular smuggling destinations, one could typical see several boats anchored on what became known as the “Rum Line.”
Photo Credit: 35 Maple Street on Facebook
Nautical Packaging:
The Kirk And Sweeney Bottle is very unique and eye catching. It’s squat, rather bulbous and surprisingly hefty, not necessarily the most ergonomic design we’ve seen, but when it comes to the “Wow Factor” it truly delivers. A great conversation piece.
Coming in as our #1 summertime drink, rum is a favorite around our tasting table this time of year. When the opportunity to taste and review Kirk and Sweeney Rum was presented to us we jumped at the chance – mouths agape! After an hour long session of sniffing, tasting, and mixing we’re pleased now to share the results with you. Cheers.Playing off the concept of global navigation, we silkscreened an antique nautical map of the main rum smuggling route around the circumference of the bottle, the neck features custom hand-numbering. Along with the ornate logo, the photo of the ship and a safety seal that is printed to look like nautical brass, the overall design serves as a reminder of the risk so many were willing to take for a good taste of rum during the 1920’s. -August Sebastiani, TOG President.
– Kirk And Sweeney Review –
- Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
- Age: 12 years – American oak barrels
- Nose: Honey, oak, vanilla
- Flavors: Vanilla, honey, caramel, toffee and oak
- Taste: B+ (Very Good)
- Mix–ability: B (Good)
- Buzz Factor: B (Good)
- Price: $34.98 USD (750ml.)
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