750 mL, 40% alc./vol. $28.00 in the distillery. See webstore for shipping.
Light in both colour and flavour, this spirit mixes well with cola and other soft drinks. See review by Roob Dogg Drinks.
Gannet is an approachable spirit. It’s light bodied enough to be appreciated by the masses, while maintaining enough character to be identifiable as a spirit made from sugarcane molasses. Mix it the same way as other mainstream light rums on the market.
While this spirit is functionally identical to rum, it cannot be legally declared a rum in Canada according to the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations (section B.02.030). All white rums sold in Canada are supposed to be aged at least one year in an oak barrel. The colour (and flavour) is then removed by charcoal filtration. Most rum-producing countries do not have aging requirements so many imported spirits do not meet regulations. The rules are only enforced on local producers while government retailers get a pass. Who could have guessed?
The Northern Gannet was chosen for the label because its a bird I associated with the beach and summertime; which also happens be a great occasion for this style of spirit. The artwork was produced by Liz Clayton Fuller on commission (2019).
General information on Northern Gannet can be found at All About Birds. Information on species occurrence and distribution can be accessed on eBird.
Mark : CF, unaged
Northern Gannet photographed by Phil Riebel Photography.
What are white rums?
Simply, they are rums that are near colourless. They can either be unaged spirits or aged spirits that are carbon-filtered clear or almost clear.
While the general perception is that these rums are cheap lesser quality spirits, that simply isn’t the case. While it’s true that they are cheaper to produce, “fresh rums” have a charm all of their own. There are delicate notes that would otherwise be lost by wood or evaporation. Unaged or lightly aged rums are also used by the most popular rum cocktails.
Because the raw spirit can’t hide behind oak, it requires greater care by distillers and blenders. They are a good measuring stick to evaluate the talent of a distillery.