not so sweet/non fruity dark rum cocktails?

[emerilcantcook]

I am a neat scotch and dry martini (with bitters) gal, and the fruitiest I can go is a mojito. With that established, I have a bottle of Appleton Estate 12 yr that I carried all the way from Jamaica. And it is just sitting there. I thought I can just sip it, but it is just too abrasive (and yet cloying) to drink by itself. I think I just am not a rum person considering that I can sip scotch, tequila, mezcal and gin by themselves. What can I do to salvage this bottle?

I really really really hate to mix it with OJ. I tried and didn't like it. Other citrus (lime/lemon) are fine but sweet drinks make me gag. If nothing works, please direct me to home cooking board, where I can flambe my butt off. Merci!

[sonia darrow]

Wow, this is a weird coincidence. Rum isn't my liquor of choice, but it's one of my boyfriend's favorites. Yesterday a friend of ours bought him a bottle of Appleton Estate as a graduation present.

[alanbarnes]

I recently started making Manhattans with rum instead of whisky. A tasty twist on a classic cocktail. There's some sweetness there (I mix 'em 3:1), but it isn't overwhelming.

[tommy]

You bring up an interesting point. Obviously, that's no longer a "Manhattan". But, when I have a spirit, and am looking for something new, I just substitute the liquor into another drink. Taking a margarita and subbing whiskey or rum isn't odd, or bad, at all. That type of subbing is generally a good start.

Experiment! With 750 mls, you've got a bunch of chances to get it right! Or, at the very least, to your liking.

[alanbarnes]

The name I found for the drink is a Cuban Manhattan, although "Pirate's Cocktail" also came up. IMHO, neither name is a winner, but the drink is. For now I'll just call it a "rum Manhattan." If people can order "vodka martinis," that's gotta be allowed.

[tommy]

you can call it an "alanbarnes" for all i care. as long as it's good!

[alanbarnes]

Reminds me of a joke...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6151...

[Cinnamon]

Just go easy on the sugar in a rum swizzle recipe like this:
http://www.chow.com/recipes/10327

The bitters can add body and take off a sweet edge. The above is akin to the 'official' Bermuda Rum Swizzle, but has less fresh fruit juice and you mentioned you don't like 'fruity'... this is what the closest-thing-to-official looks like:
http://www.swizzleinn.com/treasure_hu...
And it's really supposed to have Gosling's Black Seal rum.

[tommy]

mojitos are really "fruity", although they are generally (too) sweet.

I would try something like Dale DeGroff's Anejo Highball.

Añejo Highball
1 1/2 ounce añejo rum
1/2 ounce orange curaçao
1/2 ounce lime juice
2 dash Angostura Bitters
1 ounce ginger beer
Garnish: Lime wedge, orange wedge.
Build in a highball glass.
Source: Dale DeGroff

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Mai Tais, done the way Trader Vic invented 'em back in 1944. He originally used the 17-year rum from J. Wray & Nephew, which now bottles under the label Appleton Estate. It's well-balanced, and quite strong.

Juice of a large lime
1/2 ounce orgeat syrup
1/4 ounce simple syrup (you might want to leave it out. Maybe.)
3/4 ounce orange curaçao
2 ounces Appleton Estate Extra (the 12-year rum you have)

Shake everything like hell with crushed ice. Pour into a double rocks glass, and garnish with a sprig of mint and a spent lime shell. It's heaven in a glass, I tell ya.

[quazi]

sippin one now. THis is one of the best uses of rum that i have found. I using the cheap stiff bow so i imagine appleton 12 would be heaven. If you want to go the extra mile make your own orgeat and be sure to get quality orange liquor - i've been using rhum clement creole shrub lately

[Soufi]

For a quick apéro or if I run out of mint, I simply drink my rum with some tonic water and maybe a splash of lime. I find that the aroma of the rhum comes through very nicely. I also find that mojitos are better with dark rhum.

[sonia darrow]

Have you ever tried a Dark 'n Stormy? Dark rum and ginger beer. I guess sweetness would depend on the ginger beer (not ginger ale!) you get.

[emerilcantcook]

I think I might love it with something like Reeds. Assertive over assertive kind of deal. Not sure if they are available here (MTL) though, but noted.

[kenito799]

Reeds Dark n Stormies are great!

[ed1066]

I drink my D&S with Reed's. Reed's and Gosling's or Reed's and Cruzan Black Strap, it's the bomb! Even Sailor Jerry's will do in a pinch.

[VictoriaL]

And I have a nice selection of scotch (gifts) and never even cracked 'em open because I'm a rum kinda gal! ;)

The Appleton (one of my favorites) is great in a mojito. I also enjoy it mixed with seltzer and a squeeze of lime.

[emerilcantcook]

We should meet somewhere and exchange re-gifts.

I've never tried dark rum in a mojito. Do you prepare it as usual?