Kirk & Sweeney Gran Reserva Rum, Dominican Republic (80 proof)
Item Number: 20574
UPC: 0-856442005093
Country: Caribbean
Region: Dominican Republic
Estate Grown Wine: No
Grape(s): Blackstrap Molasses
Type: Spirits - Rum
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: T Top
Alc by Vol(%): 40
Age: Blend of rums aged between 5 and 20 years. The rum is aged for its full length in Santiago de los Caballeros.
Barrels: The barrels used to age Kirk and Sweeney are a combination of American and French oak barrels purchased from a variety of distillers sourced from multiple coopers. A majority of the used barrels are ex-bourbon and they are utilized by the original distiller 4-5 times before being re-charred and repurposed for rum aging.
Tasting Notes: This full-bodied rum delivers an intriguing range of aromas, from intense vanillas to faint notes of sherry and raisins, all built upon a notable undercurrent of roasted cane sugars. Expert blending comes to life with the first taste, revealing a deep vanilla flavor, followed by dried fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon spices and a hint of oak. Immensely smooth all the way through, this rum unwinds with a gently wavering sensation of oak, sherry and raisin.
Production Notes: Handcrafted in the Dominican Republic, Kirk and Sweeney Rum adheres to the very strict regulations to be labeled Dominican Rum. The process begins with high-quality sugarcane that is converted into molasses for fermentation and distillation. The sugarcane is grown mainly in the eastern part of the island by multiple growers and harvested yearly. The molasses is distilled in a 4 column distillation system. The rum is then aged in a variety of used American and French oak barrels. Instead of a solera system that tops off barrels with fresh alcohol, the distiller for Kirk & Sweeney conducts various steps of dumping, blending, and re-barreling through the years (no fresh alcohol). The final blends are a selection of variously aged rums. Aged rum from the Dominican Republic requires that the entire production process including sugarcane harvesting, fermentation, distillation and aging all take place in the Dominican Republic. The rum must also be aged for a minimum of one year in barrels. Most of Kirk and Sweeney rum blends are well beyond one year in age. A small amount of natural caramel coloring is added to the rums, which is standard practice and within compliance.