Mainland Rum California 9 Year 2016

Review by: The Auditor

This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached.

Review #1417; Rum #716

This is a 9 year aged rum from Stark Spirits, located in Pasadena, California. This rum was distilled from molasses on a pot still and aged for 9 years in a 53 gallon ex-bourbon cask before being bottled at cask strength with no additives for Mainland Rum, and newer rum independent bottler focusing on American Rum.

Distillery: Stark Spirits

Bottler: Mainland Rum

Region: California, USA

Still: Pot

ABV: 60.9%

Nose: Vanilla, Apple, Honey, Black Pepper, Bready

Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Apple, Honey, Vanilla, Black Pepper, and Bready

Finish:  Medium length finish, Vanilla, Apple, Black Pepper, Honey

This rum is fine. The flavors are okay and it drink under its proof. For being a pot still rum I wish it had more rum character and less cask character as this feels very driven by the aging vessel

Final Score: 82

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.

Published by The Auditor

Unknown's avatar

I have drank my fair amount of single malt but got started writing reviews about Single Malt and Bourbon in 2018. Over 1000 total reviews later and I focus mainly on Sugar Cane Spirits now. However, single malt is a still a spirits category I enjoy greatly as is Agave and Brandy. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself an expert but I am the resident Rum obsessed writer for Malt Runners.

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