Angel's Share Title
Jung & Wulff No. 2 Guyana Rum
A couple of years ago while attending a sneak peek event of the Sazerac House in New Orleans, I noticed a display of three rums from a line that I was not familiar with. Jung and Wulff luxury line of rums with products from Trinidad, Guyana and Barbados. The history and inspiration of the brand and their namesakes detail two pioneers of the New Orleans cocktail scene with heavy ties to absinthe, bitters and other spirits.
As far as the rum, in each addition not much information is provided, it is my understanding they are sourced by Sazerac and then blended and bottled at the Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky at 43% ABV.
Jung & Wuff
Appearance
The 750 ml bottle is a standard for its size with a colorful label and a white and green security strip with the number two on top of the cork cap. In the bottle, the rum holds a dark amber color that lightens into a pleasant honey amber in the glass. Agitating the liquid creates a medium band that drops a wave of thick legs. The band slowly expands and reluctantly drops a second wave before evaporating.
Nose
The caramel sweetness and oak tannins balance nicely on the nose. I detected notes of cooked fruit, molasses and citrus, laden acidity.
Palate
Like the aroma, the first sip of the rum delivers a rush of caramel and oak with the alcohol of the rum stinging the palate clearing the way for the rest of the flavor experience. Subsequent sips deliver notes of ginger, brown sugar, orange peel, dried apricots, raisins, plums, molasses, cinnamon and toffee. As the rum begins the fade there is a bit of char and mineral that linger in a long vanilla finish.
Review
As I evaluated the rum, I found it reminded me of other products from Guyana that are between four and six years old. The oak flavors tell the tale as they are nicely balanced with the fruity notes of the spirit. My experience with rums from Guyana is that the older and the longer the rums are aged the wood notes become more aggressive and acidic. It was the lack of acidity that led me to guess at the age of the product. Perhaps one of my biggest complaints about the product line is the lack of information about the three products. It is a good representation of rums from the country and an enjoyable sipper and quite functional in any cocktail that requires aged rum. Distribution has been slowly spreading across the United States and recently made headway into Europe. If you find yourself in New Orleans, make sure to visit the Sazerac House for the cool tour and if so inclined, stop in the gift shop, you never know what products from the Sazerac portfolio you may find.
