I blind tasted 12 spiced rums and survived (how to make a Cable Car cocktail)

[@AndersErickson]

Do you have a favorite spiced rum? Technically they're all rum-based spirits. The flavoring, sugar levels, & ABV (in some cases) keep them from being classified as true rums. Get your bottles at Curiada! 👉 bit.ly/spicedrumsandmore And don’t forget your “Bitter Bear” gear! 👉 exlsv.com/collections/anders-erickson

[@VKokeza]

Venezuelan spiced rum is incredible, my favorite is Santa Teresa 1796. Recommend you try it if you can find it!

[@AndersErickson]

@@VKokeza haven't seen it - will keep an eye out. Cheers!

[@abraxocleaner3345]

Dead Man's Finger is pretty good, beats every other spiced rum in that price range (I never spend too much on spiced rum,).

[@hignettron]

Rumbullion by Ableforth's from the UK. Transcends what a spiced rum is, I don't even like spiced rum. Question: are Cuban goods still banned is the US? I've never noticed you use Havana rum before?

[@artemykuznetsov3457]

Try to make your own. Try to balance all spices and it is gonna be the best specially for you. Just as like with syrups

[@DollarDude]

"When I was in college, I enjoyed spiced rum, and I had my fill." I felt that

[@AndersErickson]

Haha it's true

[@just_an_old_nicole]

Sub in tequila, and it me.

[@RolfReibach]

So many times my friends tried to convince me to drink Cpt. M here in Germany. I hated it. I am glad, I was right early on

[@sebastianrositas3783]

The smell of sailor Jerry’s still makes me sick to this day.

[@hopeyhope2012]

I did dry January and was debating a cocktail tonight but watching this made me feel drunk and gave me college flashbacks. I think I’ll pass tonight. 😂

[@AndersErickson]

Haha completely understand

[@jamaalmarcus1355]

This! 😂

[@rasmusskjdt3886]

My favorite spiced rum right now is the Kraken rum. Not because it is good, but because it really goes well in a Rum and coke, where the (allmost too strong and somewhat artifical) vanilla and brown sugar notes really shine through

[@isaaceberly5939]

Try Kracken and a cherry coke, imo the cherry flavor compliments rum very well

[@josephetherton]

Kraken and rootbeer is also a good choice. I'd give it a try if you haven't already

[@AlLacey]

Same here, VERY easy to get carried away on the ratios and have it still taste good 😂

[@billboy52]

To my Kraken and coke I add a splash of Woodford Reserve cocktail syrup. You can’t drink just one!

[@jimvanpelt1]

That's funny. I did rum and coke in college, which was always Bacardi white because it was cheap, and really burnt out on them. Then, years later, I was at a room party at a convention, and the guy behind the bar asked if I wanted a rum and coke. I told him my history, and he said, "Oh, but you haven't had a Kraken and coke." I was hooked.

[@tylerriddell1120]

Every episode is fantastic but this is my favorite episode in a long time! The ratings portion was hilarious, and then adding a cocktail tutorial at the end was a great finale. I love rum and Tiki drinks so his face while shooting spiced rum was absolutely hilarious!!!!! Edit: Would love to see Anders do a video like this with other spirits!

[@savannahm.laurentian1286]

So, you'd like Anders, uh, you know⚰️?😲

[@spitalhelles3380]

In my country, when you blind test 12 rums, the blindness stays forever

[@bobby7050]

The “I enjoyed it to a point” comment was brilliant. This episode reminds me of Gregg’s Manhattan matrix. Hard lessons learned. Not the kind of episode you can do often for reasons of health, but no denying it was fun.

[@c4jc]

This was a FUNNY episode. Specially when you don't like the rum. That face was killing me. Awesome job. 👍

[@knifeymcdont]

For the longest time (in my ignorance) I thought 'rum' was all just spiced rum and associated that flavour with rum in general. Probably from similar experiences at university. Thanks to your channel, I have since been introduced to some white rums and rhum agricole, which I do like in cocktails! Cheers Anders!

[@AndersErickson]

Definitely not alone - I once thought the same thing. Happy you're enjoying the videos, Dan!

[@TheBubblyBartender]

I love the thoroughness of the brackets for this type of tasting event.

[@JMo-uh5cd]

For not doing blind tastings alot, you guys really nailed it with the execution. Cant stand watching blinds where the viewer also doesnt know what youre drinking. Would love to see this in other categories of booze if you can tolerate it! 😆

[@TreeCutterDoug]

Super excited to see my local rum in your lineup, and blown away that it was the winner! Another phenomenal Hawaii rum is Kuleana Spirits, on the big island. Their Hui Hui is outstanding... A blended agricole that I pair with Eldarado 12yr for my Mai Tai's.

[@jayvolak]

Koloa rums are my favorite since trying them two years ago. The dark and coconut, the coffee and cacao. Outstanding.

[@Reload7x1]

Oh a tasting, I love these kind of videos. Hoping for a triple sec/ curaçao/ orange Liqueur tasting soon. Keep the videos coming dry January is over !

[@AndersErickson]

Good call

[@Cosmitzian]

@@AndersErickson I'm +1ing the orange liquour tastings. There's four or five that people regularily go to for cocktails but i swear as much as i've tried to go through a bottle of each, i could never really understand what makes an orange liquour an actual orange liqour, or what i should look for in it aside from just, you know, oranges.

[@ohmightyzeus6135]

@@Cosmitzian Yep yep yep, I'll happily +2 on that one. These bottles can be an expressway to Tasty Town.

[@Patronux]

+3 on the orange liqueur tasting. Apparently the different names don't mean anything so the real way to differentiate them is by taste.

[@gailbean7497]

Fun! If you do decide to do other blind testing (which would be fun too), take a lesson from professional coffee tasters. They have a spit bucket and do not swallow. They would be bouncing off the walls from all the caffeine VS you now needing a nap! :) Good job for taking one for the team!

[@seanoconnor666]

Phenomenal video! I love blinds, really makes you realize what you actually like and forget any preconceived notions you have on specific bottles. Thanks for sharing us your thoughts!

[@SandTiger42]

Disappointed that Sailor Jerry got passed in the first cut. That's my go to spiced rum. Also I think Doubloon spiced black rum is a superior version of Kraken. I'm looking forward to try Koloa as a sipping rum, it's been on my list for awhile so happy to see your tasting notes.

[@aginsfbayarea7350]

It wasn't even Spiced Rum that I had way too much of one pretty awful college evening, it was just plain old Rum. And that memory has kept me away for decades. I'm still working on trying someday to get back into Rum because I see so many great looking cocktails using it. I'm not sure I'll ever get into Spiced Rums, but, if I do, I now know which one it will be. Thanks for taking it for the team!

[@farshnuke]

The fact that James Hoffmann will record a coffee tasting video over multiple days to keep his pallette fresh and the guy drinking rum does a damn taste off tourney in one sitting. Bless you, Anders. Maybe invest in a spittoon to avoid intoxicating yourself? Then again I'm a lightweight with no olfactory bulb so I trust your expertise.

[@steffrenzl8544]

Thanks, Anders, for these types of videos where you compare brands. You're literally saving me hundreds or more, plus saving me from the pain of trying all these spiced rums. I'm glad Koala is the only one in my cabinet...no need to stray. My curiosity has been settled!

[@djdj216]

Anders is out here enduring some pain for the benefit of all of us. Much appreciated!!!

[@Nicky68Y]

"WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE....I ENJOYED MY SPICED RUM....AND I HAD MY FILL...." LOLOL. No truer words LOL!!!

[@jimvanpelt1]

Interesting competition. My fave among those is Kraken, particularly in a Dark 'N Stormy (I know that's a Gosling trademark, they just don't make it as well IMO). I'm glad you gave the Kraken props for how it tastes. If I want a vanilla rum, I'll go to something that really forefronts it, like Shipwreck Vanilla Rum. I'm fond of rums in general. For a reasonable bottle of non-spiced but a lot of flavor, the Plantation Original Dark is my goto bottle, and if I really want to jump up a mixed drink, the Plantation overproof works well. My favorite, affordable sipper is Plantations 20th Anniversary XO. I got into rums from the spiced side, though, so the category interests me. Nicely done video.

[@Tom67X]

That WAS fun! I've done a Scotch tasting before...don't remember much...but there was fresh elk tenderloin, Spring vegetables, and some really great Scotch...and I was driven home with a new dog. That's most of the story. Oh yeah- great dog too!

[@louhillen8254]

Your face when you are not keen 😂 I need to lie down, I am feeling your hangover ❤

[@estebanlalosa900]

Hey Anders, thank you for your classes, for your help. A big hug from Argentina, south America!

[@epegr1075]

This was amazing! Definitely not a weekly video, but I would love a semiannual or maybe even quarterly video in this form if you’re up for it!

[@ianbarris1318]

This video was one of my favorites in a while! I loved the longer format than usual, I know that it probably took longer to film this but wish every week we got videos like this one. It was fun to see how different the liquor market is out there compared to California; half of these rums are not even available around me!

[@MichaelDinsmore]

Thanks for taking one for the team and taste testing all those rums! Helpful video, so it wasn’t for naught!

[@Zanthin8]

This episode cracked me up! I’m glad you didn’t edit out the part you said you’d edit out 😂 My favorite is probably captain Morgan private stock… im a fan of a very vanilla flavor and it basically makes a rum and coke a Vanilla Coke, add some orange bitters to balance all the sweetness and it’s pretty tasty

[@kog1609]

Great episode. I generally follow the don't buy spiced rum, control your own spices. So I attempted the Cable Car with a mix of rums, falernum, Angostura, and cinnamon syrup. A good time was had by all. 😁

[@jacksongilder]

My rum collection has already grown beyond available shelf space thanks to you. Now I'll have to find more space. My consolation will be enjoying a Cable Car whilst listening to them ding and clang by beneath my window. Cheers!

[@mattmathai]

My favorite is Foursquare. Doesn't hit you over the head w/ spice notes. And it mixes beautifully

[@zarancorde]

The faces plus "drunk Anders" mixing thr Cable Car... classic!

[@day-dreamer1313]

It was a treat to see buzzed Anders. 😄 Thanks for going through it so we don't have to. I'll definitely be trying it. Cheers! 🍹

[@JasonPtt]

Very enjoyable Anders! Do more tastings like this for other spirits and liqueurs!

[@caliautotech21]

I second this! I’d love to see your thoughts on Kirkland brand stuff also

[@justinopepperino]

More videos like these please! This, the Irish whiskey vid, and even the Buffalo Trace barrel pick vid from back in the day have been so much fun!

[@jayvolak]

Koloa almost never disappoints! The spiced is good…the dark, coconut, and cacao are absolutely amazing and my staples.

[@kippertoo]

I’ve had way too many hangs with spice rum in my youth, it’s why I stick to light rum now. Kudos to you Anders taking on this feat. Great vid btw.

[@Phlucious]

Really appreciated you guys included the price when showing these rums! So many people don’t do that.

[@richmosley2519]

I went to Belize about 12 years ago and had so many wonderful spiced rums, but it it is fairly rare to see Belizean rum in the US. I did recently buy a Hamilton Beachbum Barry 'Zombie' blend, as well as a Plantation 'Isle of Fiji' blend. Both are quite good!

[@JC-77]

Great video...spiced rum...I am with you! Sadly you now have all of those bottle that will be on your shelf 15 years from now.

[@radfem9]

Great episode, my family is from the Caribbean so we love rum. I went to the Bacardi factory in Puerto Rico and I truly believe it's the best-spiced rum you can get for the price, especially making big-batch cocktails. Will absolutely try your two semi-finalists too!

[@jakemurphy6116]

Just made a version of this cocktail: 1.5oz Bacardi Oakheart .75oz dry Orange range Curacao 1oz lemon Juice .5oz smugglers cove jerk simple syrup I really enjoyed this and I am not normally a spiced rum person. Note that Bacardi Oakheart is different than modern day Bacardi spiced.

[@zeejb]

Loved this episode because as the clock ticks by and drinks are consumed, you get more and more hilarious and 'loose'. Thanks for the early March Madness Bracket

[@BeedeeEx]

This was delightful. I have a bottle of the Kaloa (my personal favorite) and the Captain Morgans. This was a blast to tray along with you...albeit a much smaller sampling. Thank you for creating this video. Pure gold.

[@mariob1928]

That was fun! Would love to see more of the same with other types of liquor!

[@plaguetree6920]

Thank you for your sacrifice! We learned a lot today!

[@bob___]

I love videos like this. I'm not a big consumer of spiced rum, but I keep it on hand because I enjoy the occasional Cable Car, and I think spiced rum is the best spirit to use in eggnog. Cheers.

[@maggiegranados501]

This was great! Keep it at 12 bottles as it’s super FUN. Work through all the s-or it’s, puhleeze. Love it!

[@stewartmacy4859]

Appreciate your work sorting the poor and mediocre to find 2 rums of reasonable taste. This kind of comparison is costly and I don’t have the palette to make comparison other than what is delicious to me after 2 drinks. Will give the Hawaiian stuff a try. And Oz is precious. Her camera work has a journalism quality I enjoy.

[@Narsuitus]

Thank you for the excellent blind taste test. I love to use spiced rum in my homemade eggnog. I now have an idea of what I will get when I have to replace what I am now using.

[@danielfish1255]

This was your best video in the new studio. I'm glad to see you getting comfortable.

[@tonyn152]

Love the faces! LOL! Funny how tasting blind really educates your pallet. Very interesting video. Thanks!

[@michaelstrange2285]

The slow zoom on "H" is sublime. Well done, Az.

[@kevinor8811]

That logo is adorable. Like all the best logos it’s so simple.

[@autopilotz7618]

This should be your go-to format for making videos. Funny! Loved it.

[@AllenYoho]

I think you need to remake this video again with bourbon and create and old fashioned. Really enjoyed this video!

[@georgenikitaidis5446]

Should definitely done more of this type of content, very enjoyable!

[@MsSussiluss]

Very entertaining and I learn some new things, and I totally understand you about drinking spiced rum neat. *shivers*.. I will try the cocktail, I think it's up my alley.

[@Lady-Lilith]

"F is for Fipwreck" hahaha. I can imagine Az's eye roll. This was super informative. I've had some bad spiced rums but really want to find one I like! They're all so sweet! I'll need to try some of these top contenders.

[@petemuellner1231]

Good one (video) . I accidently (tipsy) poured some coconut rum over leftover lime juice, added ice and it tasted good. simple.

[@philgaraccio3462]

I have watched this before but now i really appreciate the ‘facial expressions’ 😂 Cheers

[@1584283]

Been waiting for a walkthrough of your pick for spiced rums for a while. I value your opinion

[@johnolmos8670]

All of Kaloas flavored Rums are fantastic! The Coconut is probably the best on the market

[@gudspellar3605]

It is one thing to look at the winner. I loved watching the price per bottle showdown. I would walk away saying Kraken and Bacardi had a good showing. As a cheap and less discerning drinker... I'm trying Kraken as my next spice rum buy.

[@My_tie]

Lmao at the captain Morgan tasting. You should do MORE spirit tasting videos before you build! Hilarious my friend!

[@balajisrinivasan8101]

Best episode Anders. Enjoyed and learnt a lot the way you sipped and rated. Adding a cocktail of the the winner was a superb finale ! - From Chennai India

[@omnissiah]

Anders giving himself a ROUGH hangover for his fans, what a hero!

[@simonfritsch5689]

I enjoyed you getting drunk for once. Did not compromise your performance at all. Enjoyed this video like everyone you did so far. Keep it up please!

[@mattiasj4794]

Love u Anders for bringing in more Rom in your video even if its spiced ;)

[@rohanrhodes1646]

Great video - super educational… if you’re looking to try something new, or do a rum blind taste test, Kuleana rum is amazing. They have both agricoles and non-agricoles. In my opinion, nothing beats it at its price.

[@raymondclayton136]

I lived on Kaua’i when Kōloa Rum Company opened. There’s always a bottle of each of their rums in my house. Their Kaua’i Coffee Rum is awesome.

[@TrenbologneSandwich]

I just tried Sailor Jerry for the first time tonight on recommendation from a coworker and it's very flavourful, the butterscotch and vanilla were surprising

[@LikeOnATree]

Post video comment.... "I need a ride home..." Well done to both of you... funny thing I love that Koloa rum, so tasty! You guys did awesome!! ❤❤

[@trevorsocia2300]

I'm excited for more of these using different types of spirits.

[@ricardodelorenzo3954]

Thank you for your service, Anders

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Ricardo

[@renahollwedel3302]

Oh boy….you are a brave soul..you gave me happy memories of bed spins and headaches 😂

[@enochcheng947]

This is very interesting!! Looking forward to see you tasting different spirits/ liqueurs and doing comparisons!

[@mr.smoker4147]

Anders! Thank you for doing this clearly very enjoyable science for us! You are always a bright spot on my Friday! Cheers!

[@KK-lw7oc]

Love this video especially your faces when you try them! You guys are so funny. What a great start to the weekend! "Something in it makes my face do this.."

[@chartreuseverte]

great video! it was interesting to see that you generally disliked the cheaper rums -- this would make sense, although lots of less experienced drinkers love claiming that "no one can really taste the difference". so it was nice to see that your preferences actually tracked with price. bacardi was an exception though, which is quite the vote of confidence for them!

[@thomasmetz3]

Every time I visit Kauai, I mule back a case of Koloa Spiced Rum. Makes a great Mai Tai, mix with cream soda, or just over ice.

[@pattyrichnewton3623]

This might be the funniest video you have ever made, Anders. Thanks for the deep dive on spiced rums!

[@oscarsnr]

That was hilarious. Day drinking on rum. Reminds me of our blind tasting champagne tasting party when we had 12 bottles between 6 of us…

[@brycesugiyama5739]

Love this format! Very cool!

[@miksologia]

I enjoyed the video even if I had only heard of 5 of the 12 spiced rums. As soon as I saw them I was rooting for the Koloa for some reason. After watching your and other cocktail videos on KZbin for more than a year now, I will still never buy a spiced rum for any reason... unless I really need my window cleaning fluid to smell like spiced rum. But still, loved the video. Kippis! (that's "cheers" in Finnish).

[@TheGawel91]

Haha great I did a Cable Car with Koloa a couple weeks ago! Nice video thank you Anders

[@miaoust]

Anders is drunk… 😅 funniest video ever!!! That face at 13:58 😂 Don’t bartend and drive!!! Thanks for the video!!!

[@David-mg8zu]

I loved your comparison. My all time favourite spiced rum is Old J Tiki Fire. Exceptional dram, I’m more than happy to drink it on its own, highly recommended. Cheers to the weekend Anders 🍹

[@AndersErickson]

Never had the Old J Tiki Fire, but you're the second person to mention it. Will definitely track down a bottle - thanks David 🥃

[@surfmyke]

I just made this...wow, the cinnamon and sugar rim is a MUST! so delicious.

[@Amphibax]

For Kraken in my opinion the best price to performance and its great for cocktails the strong flavours don't get overpowered that easy

[@bludelight]

Oh Anders, watching your face when you don't like something is highly entertaining. This makes me want to rewatch grenadine video. I'm glad the Koloa held up in the cocktail. I believe I have all the ingredients for this one, so cheers.

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks Jasmin - the drink turned out great. Hope you enjoy it!

[@Alexander-dt8sk]

I'm impressed with the lengths to which Anders will go for his art! He took one for the team.

[@laceytaylor4907]

You should definitely do this with other spirits as well! Really fun video!

[@alfredanheier4779]

I thought it was interesting how you were able to pick out the bottom shelf varieties without any hesitation. But your comment three quarters through was telling "should have done 6 bottles". I don't know how you still managed to put the cocktail together after all that. Bravo. And now give your liver a rest.

[@mkparker99]

Can't wait to try this one. I love my hat, by the way. Lots of people ask about it, so I pass the word.

[@davebabcock1432]

Outstanding as usual. Cheers!

[@Nikzzza]

The moment I saw the glass with the kraken in it, I knew it was the kraken in it. Something so distinct in it's hue, a pretty good one too.

[@IdealUser]

Kraken and Bacardi were my two spiced rums in college. Always mixed with coke or vanilla coke. Price was the winning factor because it was just a cheap for mixed drinks that tasted decent enough to get the job done. Never cared to drink spiced rum straight.

[@vanderfleet-martin]

Thanks for taking one for the team. I’m wondering why combining the Koloa and Kraken would do.