Sailor Jerry Savage Apple Flavored Rum

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              Sailor Jerry Savage Apple Flavored Rum

I received word that this spirit would be entering the marketplace during the first quarter of 2019, but did not spot it on the store shelves until the fourth quarter.  A blend of “real” apple flavor and the well-known spiced rum. I was curious how this measured up to other products in the industry.  Owned by William Grant and Sons, this is the first spin off release of the Sailor Jerry spiced rum line.  The rum is produced and bottled in Scotland and imported into the United States via New York at 35% ABV.

                      Appearance

This tall 750 mL bottle has large labels that do not really tell the consumer much at all. I learned that the tiger on the front is one of the many images that Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins used to tattoo on sailors and soldiers during World War Two. The bottle has a metal screw top and the liquid has a solid caramel color.  When I agitated the liquid a thin band formed, that clung to the sides of the glass before slowly dropping a few legs leaving a solid ring of residue behind.

                           Nose

Jolly Rancher sour apple candy, nothing else.  I let the glass sit and air out a bit and the aroma lightened to a spiced cider aroma.

                          Palate

Sipping the liquid delivered a rock candy apple flavor with incredibly weak spice notes flattening on the tongue.  A little caramel, nutmeg and baking spice came through, but the apple flavoring really just dominates the profile.

                         Review

This product was not one I enjoyed sipping and I am sure there are some creative bartenders out in the world that can do something with it, but nothing really obvious comes to mind.  The artificial apple flavoring and overall sweetness are just not something I enjoyed imbibing.  Due to the contrived nature of the flavor profile, I am not comfortable recommending it as a substitution for other liqueurs.   If you were looking for a spicy apple flavored rum, this one fails to deliver on the spice and like the name infers my palate certainly feels savaged after this experience.