u/greet_sweet_pete

Hello Sheng lovers,

I have discovered Sheng for myself and while I struggle with some oft the bitterness, I can´t really get enough of drinking sheng.

So far, I prefer older varieties (the Yiwu Sheng 2013 sold by Yoshien, -50g for 18,90 Euros- is my favourite – intense nearly rotten forest notes, complex and at the same time intense fruit notes, vanilla, vegetables and a selection of herbs, also a pronounced calming and uplifting cha qi – and no bitterness. Love it 😊 ), but I want to give younger Shengs a try too.

I have tried the young Lincang Bio Sheng Pu Erh 2025 Loose Leaf, also sold by Yoshien, but found it rather boring, as the intense grassy notes are overshadowing most other flavours and are not really what I am looking for.

But I thought I´d give FarmerLeaf a try, as it was recommended to me repeatedly. If possible, I like to try Shengs that

-have little to no bitterness

-some Cha Qui (I know this is quite different for everyone, but some varieties seem to have that effect on quite a few people, while others don´t)

-if possible fruity notes (love them, but they are not a must)

I also lOVE complexity. But I do realise that this is not always possible with a conveniently priced young sheng

I selected the folowing samples into my shopping bag:

• Spring 2025 Huey Wa - 20g sample$4 USD
• Spring 2026 Tang Fang Liang Zi - 20g sample$6 USD
• Spring 2023 Jingmai Miyun - 20g sample$6 USD
• Spring 2025 Na Lang - 20g sample$13 USD
• 2025 Jingmai Yellow Flakes - 20g sample$4 USD

 

--> Do you think that is a good selection for me? If not, which ones would you rather recommend?

--> Which one would you refer for buying as a whole cake, instead of a sample? (except the Na Lang, this one is too pricy for me for a cake)

 

Would love to hear what you think 😊

Hello Rumheads,

I thought I´d pimp my Smith and Cross up to more funk with some Rum Fire - thought this would give an intersting blend.

But really, I am not going to do that again, I much rather enjoy both of them on their own. Difficult to describe, but they don´t mix that well - I feel like I am tasting both apart from each other, while not getting the full extent of the funk that Rum Fire offers, and none of the smooth wood that goes along Smith and Cross...... It´s not terrible of course, but definetly not that great either.

Whats your experience with self-blending your Rum? :-)

Hello Rum-heads,

I love Smith and cross, I love the Hampden 8 and I like Rum Fire (this one not pure yet though.

I enjoy the Papalin 5, but I miss more funk. Might probably pimp this one up in my glas with a bit of rum fire.

As most other jamaican Rums that are easily available don´t offer much funk, I would love to try another Hampden. The prices are relatively high, but the quality seems to be pretty good and they tick all my boxes (at least 46 ABV, no sugar, no colour, no bullshit).

Which one would you recommend as a next step?

-The 1753 is lower proof, but available at the same price as the hampden 8 (around 55 Euros)

-The HCLF Classic is around 80 Euros, but has pretty high proof, which is good.

-The Pagos seems to have lower esther amounts and a heavy sherry influence. Higher proof, also around 80 ERuros.

(Great House is not really an option for me, as I don´t spend 120 Euros on a bottle).

Would love to hear your take on it :-)

Cheers!

Hello everyone,

I have only started my foursquare-journey so far. I have the

-Probitas/Veritas and the

-Doorlys 14.

I LOVE The Veritas, so well balanced. I only sip it, can´t make myself to mix it with anything. I know that it´s designed as a mixer, but I don´t care :-)

The Doorlys 14 is a very well made rum, and I love a lot of the flavours. I really don´t dig the Madeira finish though....this kind of acidic aftertaste reminds me of white wine. I am not too much into white wine, and I am not a fan of finding something similar here. For me personally, it´s not a great fit (I know Madeira is not a white wine, just talking about the flavour).

So my question to you who have tried more rums of the like: Which one would you rather recommend me to try?

R.L Seale´s 10 would probably the one I choose, as I dig the 46 percent, excellent for sipping. Only the fact that quite a few people mentioned its "bourbon-character" puts me of a bit. I like a good bourbon (neat), but if I drink rum, I want exactly that. But maybe this referred only to the heavy cask influence.

Doorlys 12 would be my other favourite. Read only good things about it. 43 percent is a bit low, but what the heck!

Or Doorlys XO. I suppose the Cherry cask influence would go very well with that kind of rum. Only 43 percent as well, but pretty affordable. But I fear I might miss the complexity (that the 14 definetly delivers).

I guess I can´t do anything wrong with all 3 - but it would be great to hear what other rum-sippers think :-)

Would love to get a recommendation!

Cheers everyone

Sipping-experience:

Tried the Clément Rhum Blanc Agricole Martinique Canne Bleue 50% yesterday for the first time. At first it was just interesting....those gras-like scents with hints of fruit. Flavour delivered something similar, kind of wet old hay with a little fruit. Sounds strange but was nice. But then I added a little bit of water and tried again.........and was BLOWN AWAY!

The spirit seemed to change its flavour profile with every sip a bit. One time I found more lemongrass in the front that went very well with the grassy flavour, another time I had this intense, nearly overwhelming sensation of roasted brown sugar all over my palate ......it was not just sipping a rum, it was an experience! Thats what I am looking for in R(h)um or any other spirit.

Haven´t had that yet with any white R(h)um, except the Clairin Casimir.

Amazing stuff. And for what it delivers, ridiculously cheap :-)

Cheers everyone!