Rum Journal: Barbados’ Cockspur VSOR

Above: Bridgetown (CJ Photo)

There’s a clear rum celebrity in Barbados — Mount Gay. It’s the rum ambassador for the island and its famous red caps dot many a sailing regatta.

But Mount Gay is far from the only rum in Barbados — indeed, the country is very much pluralistic when it comes to the noble spirit. And one of Mount Gay’s major competitors on the island in terms of popularity is Cockspur.

The rum boasts a strong heritage — it was founded in 1884, when a Danish sailor, Valdemar Hanschell, created the rum in Barbados.

And Cockspur, which is made by Hanschell Inniss, Ltd, on Brighton Beach near Bridgetown, lives up to the billing.

For this edition of Rum Journal, Cockspur VSOR Vintage Blend was tasted: it’s billed as “Very Special Old Reserve,” “a unique blend of very old vintage rum.”

Cockspur VSOR has a light amber colour, with an aroma of molasses. The flavour profile is dominated by caramel, toffee, and sugar cane and a hint of orange peel, with a syrupy, satisfying finish.

The result? Very good. Any conversation about Bajan rum should include this. And it’s not simply a good rum from Barbados — it’s a good rum from anywhere.

We recommend it neat.

— CJ