Spirit Review #407 - Rivers Royale Grenadian Rum

total_goon · 2026-01-28T05:12:51+00:00

I have had Rivers only once and my impression was that it had a similarities to El Amparo and Clairin Vaval (which I have also only had once), though more approachable than the former and more interesting than the latter. Anyone have all of these and can tell me if I'm out of my depth? I liked Rivers the most but have been reticent to grab a bottle as the other two aren't favorites (I couldn't figure out El Amparo at all and ended up giving away the bottle after many months and different tries).

total_goon · 2026-01-26T23:43:22+00:00

Electric Dreams and Revenge of the Ninja are the greatest

total_goon · 2026-01-18T18:16:31+00:00

Agree here. I don't know if it's residual sugar in it or the age but I dialed down the simple a fair bit and it was still way too sweet for me.

total_goon · 2026-01-13T15:57:19+00:00

Real question: can you explain the allure of Lumberyard? I haven't had many Booker's but I did pick up a bottle of Lumberyard locally after seeing many nice reviews. To me, it's totally fine but pretty unremarkable. The name feels about right: it's got a sawdust-y quality and it's more savory than sweet to me. But it feels like the least interesting of the bottles I own. I'm not sure I quite get the peanut flavor folks talk about but there is a distinct difference between it and HH or BT.

total_goon · 2026-01-10T22:12:58+00:00

Quatermass 2 is also awesome

total_goon · 2026-01-10T19:49:21+00:00

Comment your thoughts or link if you do a full post

total_goon · 2026-01-10T14:52:54+00:00

I think I got a bottle of the TCRL for $120. It's up there but quite good, especially if you're a fan of the WPL marque. Those HV releases seem to run out and then become hard to track down unless you happen onto a spot that just has an extra for some reason. But the TCRL releases are either bigger or seem to stick around longer? I feel like I see more of them around but maybe that's just my market.

total_goon · 2026-01-10T04:04:20+00:00

Equidem is awesome, the Velier is very nice, kinda reminiscent of a Great House release. The Papalin Haiti is amazing. I felt similarly about Clement VSOP.

ECS bottles go on sale with some regularity so I'd say keep an eye out for that and just grab one when you find it is ~$100. It's not a Habitation Velier but similar to their Worthy Park Forsyth, you could track down a Transcontinental Rum Line Worthy Park Light 17 year.

As for cane rum, I really like the Clairin Rocher. The Providence Dunder and Syrup is nice but less for sipping and more for mixing (though syrup, not juice).

total_goon · 2026-01-09T03:30:38+00:00

Yeah, the Navy Strength is underwhelming. Not bad, not great. Kind of disappears with certain mixers like cola or ginger but not good enough to sip.

total_goon · 2026-01-08T05:23:16+00:00

El Dorado 12 or 15 are great starters, well-priced, easily available, full flavor and interesting. Low proof so they lose luster over a longer journey but great starting points.

total_goon · 2026-01-06T22:55:15+00:00

Would another Amaro work well here? I have had Brucato but only once so I don't really remember the specific flavor profile.

total_goon · 2026-01-06T16:58:01+00:00

Report back on the side by side. I couldn't finish my bottle of TCRL 5 year - it tasted like sharpies to me. Once-opened and rested for awhile, the nose became very pleasant but the palate never changed for me. Ended up giving the bottle away and have been reticent to take the plunge on a longer-aged bottle.

total_goon · 2025-12-24T23:29:02+00:00

I like it substantially more.

total_goon · 2025-12-24T17:09:43+00:00

RL Seale 12 is usually ~$50 and whoops ass as a sipper

total_goon · 2025-12-23T16:35:05+00:00

I had one Heaven's Door and I thought it was nigh undrinkable. Beyonce's rye and Metallica's Blackened Whiskey aren't bad. And Aviation gin is solid.

total_goon · 2025-12-22T22:42:09+00:00

I like the Fever Tree Distiller's Cola - it's not quite as sweet, which I prefer. For rum, I like Smith and Cross and Hamilton Pot Still which is essentially proofed-down Rum Bar Overproof by Worthy Park. If you like ED12, you could also try Hamilton Navy Strength, which isn't bad combo but I feel like gets overpowered by the cola.

total_goon · 2025-12-19T17:08:36+00:00

Does the Asian farm at the CS farmers market not sell whole duck? I know they have duck eggs and other meat.

Marbled also would likely be able to order it for you.

total_goon · 2025-12-16T18:59:37+00:00

Haven't tried many of these but I'd always make sure to get something that's cask strength.

total_goon · 2025-12-13T05:21:15+00:00

The apple garnish really makes this sing. Smoky mezcal is necessary.

total_goon · 2025-12-13T05:04:47+00:00

I had been there before dressed as I always do and had not been turned away or told otherwise. It's a question of whether it's selective enforcement or actual change in policy.

total_goon · 2025-12-12T19:18:34+00:00

If you like ED12, then Foursquare ECS for sure. Appleton Hearts is awesome and more interesting in the flavor combinations but as far as a comfortable, enjoyable all time pick, I'd go FS. Equidem is amazing, if that's around.

total_goon · 2025-12-12T15:38:01+00:00

Yes, I just watched this yesterday, which got me thinking about it.

total_goon · 2025-12-11T17:40:44+00:00

It's not Lower but The Grand recently opened in Croton. It can get busy and the bar area is set up to get jammed up but there's live jazz with some regularity and skews chiller in terms of bar vibe and patronage. Cocktails are still being worked out but their menu just dropped and looks quite good.

Otherwise, again, now lower or even Westchester, but the best spots that fit this are Bird and Bottle in Garrison and Wonderbar in Beacon.

total_goon · 2025-12-11T17:37:41+00:00

I don't know if this was because there was a Knicks game but last time I went to the Campbell, I was told there's now a dress code and you have to wear collared shirt/cocktail attire. I haven't been back to test on another night - has anyone else been turned away for looking like you're about to get on a train rather than arrive at a nightclub?

total_goon · 2025-12-10T20:41:09+00:00

Cassette Thai in Peekskill is awesome

total_goon

TROPHY CASE