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Virago 151 Rum
It is easy to notice that there aren’t many bottles of 151 proof on the shelves these days when shopping at local stores. So, when I spotted this one, I thought it would be worth evaluating since not all 151 rums are created equally, ranging from robust and flavorful to astringent alcohol that only exists to burn on top of a tropical cocktail. Virago Spirits is located in Richmond, Virginia, and produces and blends a portfolio of products that include rums, gins, and liqueurs. For their 151 rum, they use fermented grade A molasses as their base and distill it twice in their Charentais-style alembic pot still. The rum is blended to 75.5% ABV and bottled for distribution.
Virago 151 Rum
Appearance
The rum comes in a short necked 750 ml bottle and has black, white, and silver labels. The wooden cap holds a synthetic cork and is secured to the bottle with a transparent security wrap. Swirling the clear rum creates a thin band that only thickens slightly before releasing a single wave of legs before evaporating and leaving a ring of tiny beads around the glass.
Nose
Pouring the rum into the glass releases a strong aroma of tropical fruit. After the aroma settled, I detected notes of vanilla, allspice, with a hint of anise and ethanol.
Palate
Sipping the rum and evaluating the aroma are very similar experiences. The tropical fruit notes of banana, papaya, strawberries, and pineapple lead, with the fiery base of the liquid enveloping the mouth and curling the tongue. The flavors hit fast and fade slowly, lingering on the palate for quite some time, leaving behind fruity alcohol.
Review
Having reviewed one other Virago product, I was curious to see where this one took me. 151 did not disappoint, and I enjoyed the powerful punch of fruit flavors along with the added tweaks of vanilla and spice that helped ground the flavor profile. The high proof limits the way it can be used, but it would serve well in punches and tropical cocktails that call for a high proof ingredient. A little bit goes a long way with this product, so experiment carefully when using it as a flavor agent in your cocktails. This product is a solid selection if you are looking for a strong spirit with an equally strong flavor. Just use it responsibly, and it will serve you well.
