Product: Brinley Gold Coffee Rum Producer: Brinley Approximate Retail Value: $22/750 ml Category: Rum Country of Origin: Caribbean/St. Kitts Reviewer: R. Pietsch The F Words: Flavor – Rich and packed with character. Feel – Heavy, smooth, deep. Finish – Thankfully very long.

Rating:

It’s been about a year since I first fell in love with Brinley Gold Vanilla Rum at a free tasting. Since then, they have released two other flavors: mango and coffee. While both the vanilla and mango have previously been featured here, we realized that we have yet to give Brinley’s best product its due.

In America, we associate the flavor of coffee with the word “bitter,” but this product goes to that European idea of what coffee should taste like. But while the Italians might have been the first to pair coffee with spirits or cordials (café corretto), I don’t believe even they have tried it in this fashion—with aged rum, that is.

Coffee-flavored rum is clearly the most surprising of this line. To my knowledge, it’s the only one of its kind. The Brinley crew gets the points for creativity, but what puts them over the edge is (once again) the quality of this product.

In many ways it’s more of the same. This has the same high alcohol content and perfect balance in contrasting flavors, but where the vanilla carried more spice the coffee brings a deep rich character. There are many subtle layers to this profile, but it is even a bit smoky; topped with hints of honey. Fill a glass, add a few ice cubes and you have yourself one mean after-dinner/dessert drink.

I sincerely believe that the Brinley family wouldn’t let a product see the inside of a bottle if it weren’t of the utmost quality. And while this is comparable to the vanilla in its ability to stand alone, it surpasses even their mango in its ability to be mixed. I daresay it can replace any combination of coffee and a spirit you might find in a cocktail. Instead of vodka and Kahlua in your White Russian, try a Brown Jamaican with simply Brinley Coffee and cream. Okay, so I shouldn’t be allowed to name drinks, but it truly tastes great. Try throwing it in anywhere you see a spirit and a coffee liqueur, you will no doubt be pleased.

As for me? I like Brinley Coffee best on the rocks with a cigarette (and I quit smoking). Of course, being a critic one is never satisfied. I can’t wait for the next in this line to be released for sale. In the meantime, I find myself using Expedia.com trying to find the cheapest way to get to the Brinley tasting center in St. Kitts just to see what exactly they’re holding out on us.