Lamb’s 151 Proof Navy Rum
Review: Lamb’s 151 Proof Navy Rum 82.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra(AKA Arctic Wolf)
Posted October 2009
In my part of Canada, Lamb’s is one of the most popular brands. I thought I would give a go at their popular over proof rum. Here is a picture:
Alfred Lamb opened his wine and spirits business in London in 1849. His method of aging rum in his cellars under the Thames river is supposed to be one of the secrets behind the unexpectedly smooth taste. Lamb’s Navy Rum is reputed to be a blend of 18 separate rums from various parts of the Caribbean.
Flanking either side of the bottle are my two small oak casks which I have been using to ‘refinish’ whisky spirits which were not initially to my liking. I thought they looked nice beside the Lamb’s.
Onward to the review:
In the Bottle 4/5
i like the bottle which has a distinctive hexagonal shape and is topped with a plastic screw cap. This is not fancy but it serves the purpose of being easy to store and easy to pour.
In the Glass 8.5/10
The rum in the glass is dark and rich with deep reddish tones. Tremendous caramel notes rise out of the glass. The smell is strong and inviting; aggressive and demanding.
In the Mouth 52/60
On my palate this is very rich in molasses and caramel. Faint charges of spice detonate in the background but they are dimmed by the rich brown sugary nature of the rum. A little bit of nut and a bit of something hot as well; but to be honest the caramel and the 75.5% alcohol make distinguishing the spice flavours all but impossible for my palate. This is a mixer pure and simple. I do want to say though that I found this to be very smooth and balanced.
In the Throat 13/15
How does that saying go… “Burn baby burn!”. This is 151 proof and I do not recommend sipping it straight like I just did. It finishes hot yet remarkably long. Also surprisingly sweet. I found the Rum and Coke I mixed with the Lamb’s 151 proof was really nice and finished with nice mule kick to my tonsils. Again, even though you get a real octane boost to your cocktail, the overall impression I have is that this is far smoother than I was expecting.
The After Burn 8/10
In the end I really liked Lamb’s 151 Proof Navy rum. I was done in to a certain extent however, by the overabundance of caramel. I wanted a few more spices to come to the fore. So I’m giving extra points for unexpected smoothness, but I’m taking them away for the lack of depth in the flavour profile.
Cocktail
I would recommend this rum for mixing especially in a Zombie where all that overproof goodness and unexpected smoothness would be put to good use.
Arctic Wolf’s Zombie recipe with Lamb’s 151 Proof
2 oz Lamb’s Palm Breeze
1/2 oz Bols Apricot Brandy
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
1 tsp grenadine
1 oz lime juice
5 Large Ice Cubes
1 oz Lamb’s 151 proof rum
Shake the first 6 ingredients with the ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a tall glass with the ice. Float the last ounce of Lamb’s 151 proof rum on top.
Garnish with a Lime slice and enjoy very slowly and carefully (this will kick hard in the morning)!
This review first posted on:
.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
If you found this review helpful or interesting then these reviews and/or articles may help you as well:
roy hanson said
excellent rum, but be careful when drinking it will does sneak up you, if you do not drink with water. 50/50..still be careful. I love it with water..true caramel taste. be gentle.
David said
Thank you.
David said
Hi, is it possible to get this Lamb’s 151 Proof Navy Rum in Jamaica?
Arctic Wolf said
Hi David
Lamb’s is a Corby Brand, very popular in Canada, but I am not sure how much reach it has out of this country. Perhaps someone else knows, and will comment here.