If you’ve spent any time in the US Virgin Islands, you know there’s a very strong rum culture. Whether it’s in a punch or a painkiller, the sugarcane spirit is an essential part of the experience.
When it comes to rum-making, it’s a different conversation. There’s one dominant player: St Croix’s Cruzan Rum, which is the only notable distillery in the US territory.
In recent years, though, independent bottlings have started popping up across the US Virgin Islands, crafting or blending expressions from around the Caribbean with their own VI spin, a trend that largely began with the launch of Botany Bay rum.
But now there’s another new entry, and it’s, well, very good. It’s called Extra Virgin, and it’s a St Thomas bottling of a rhum agricole (we have our theories on which French Caribbean distillery, but parent company Cardow doesn’t reveal it, and we’ll honor that choice).
As Extra Virgin describes, it’s a a rum that’s the product of fresh-pressed sugar cane juice — in other words – Rhum Agricole, “from the heart of a picturesque Craibbean estate,” according to the company.
So what’s it actually like?
We picked up a bottle at the St Thomas airport recently and were immediately intrigued. Our curiosity was rewarded.
On the nose, Extra Virgin has notes of cane stalk, orange peel and brown sugar. The flavor profile is marked by vanilla, creme brûlée, cappuccino, chocolate orange, anise and malted mlik.
The finish is playful and edgy. All in all, this is a delicious rum, decidedly drinkable rum, a true agricole and a rum that is a wonderful entry point for those looking to get into the world of sugarcane-juice rum.
It’s also a welcome, instant fit into the US Virgin Islands’ venerable rum culture. Make sure you pick up a bottle on your next VI trip.
Rum Journal Review: 92 Points
— CJ
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