Bacardi Oakheart Review

BACARDI OAKHEART

Paul Artrip, aka “The Rum Daddy”, is an established authority on all things rum. Chilled asked him to review Bacardi’s boldest move in 15 years, OakHeart Spiced Rum. We found out that OakHeart is remarkably smooth and combines well with the perfect rum mixing ingredients for some new tasting and must-try cocktails. Check out what the Rum Daddy himself had to say. Bacardi fires a shot across the bow of the spiced rum world with their OakHeart Smooth Spiced

Rum. A quality rum with bold, rich notes, OakHeart is a great tool for the mixologist. The bottle embraces

Bacardi’s celebration of their 150th anniversary in 2012 with the label’s legend ‘El Ron Del Murcielago’ (the rum of the bat), and the company’s creation date of 1862 on the neck wrap and the label.

A BlEND of their Superior and Gold rums with proprietary spice combinations, OakHeart is aged in American white oak barrels to yield a complex product. The nose is broad, with whiskey and dried fruit notes in front of a gentle, pleasant smokiness. The palate is sweet and tangy, with cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, maple, and vanilla flavors throughout. The finish is slightly warm, peppery, and ends with toasted sugar. OakHeart really tastes great on the rocks or with cola. At my tasting party, guests were blown away by ‘Oak ‘n’ Coke’ and ‘Oak ‘n’ Ginger’ recipes. I also tried it out with muddled ginger and a splash of tamarind nectar for a spicy Oak Rumtini, which was greatly appreciated. The 750-ml bottle has a very affordable retail price in the low/mid teens, so take advantage of this bold new entry into the world of rum.

SMOKE ‘N’ OAK

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Bacardi Oakheart Rum 1 oz. Martini & Rossi Vermouth 3 Dashes Bitter Truth Mole Chocolate Bitters

PREPARATION

Build in shaker glass. Pour into wood smoke filled jar and swirl with lid on to combine flavors. Pour back into ice filled shaker glass. Stir 30 times until chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

OAK ‘n’ GINGER

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 oz. Bacardi Oakheart Rum 4-5 oz. Ginger ale or Ginger beer 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

PREPARATION

Build in an ice filled Highball Glass. Garnish with a squeeze of lime.

SPICED BAT

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 oz. Bacardi Oakheart Rum 1/2 oz. Cherry Heering Liqueur 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime juice 1/2 oz. Agave Nectar 1 oz. Pineapple juice 3 Fresh Cherries (pitted)

PREPARATION

Muddle cherries, lime and agave nectar. Add ice and remaining ingredients. Shake and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a fresh cherry.