GSN Presents: The 2017 Advent Gift Guide – Day 23

With only two days to go until Christmas Eve, there’s not enough time to order gifts.  So, until then, we’re going to suggest some items that we’ve rated highly this year that you can find in your local liquor store (hopefully).  For Day 23, we’re focusing on the 30 spirited products that received a GSN Rating of A (93) during 2017.

  1. Amarula Cream Liqueur
  2. Corbin Cash Sweet Potato Liqueur
  3. Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum
  4. Don Ciccio & Figli Nocino Walnut Liqueur
  5. Don Ciccio & Figli Amaro delle Sirene
  6. Dunedin DoubleCask 16 Year Old
  7. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch No. A117
  8. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch No. B517
  9. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch No. C917
  10. El Tesoro 80th Anniversary Limited Edition
  11. Frisco Brandy
  12. Galliano L’Aperitivo
  13. Haikara Yuzu Sake
  14. Highland Park Valkyrie
  15. Hirsch Small Batch 8 Year Old High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  16. Jura 10-Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  17. Kavalan Pedro Ximénez Single Cask Whisky
  18. Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask 2017 Edition
  19. Lucid Absinthe
  20. The Macallan Edition No. 1
  21. The Macallan Edition No. 2
  22. Tap 357 Maple Rye Whisky
  23. Marble Distilling Co. Vodka
  24. Marble Distilling Co. Gingercello
  25. McKenzie Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
  26. Montanya Exclusiva Rum
  27. Redemption Wheated Bourbon
  28. South Island 25 Year Old Single Malt
  29. Union Horse Rolling Standard Four Grain Whiskey
  30. Westland Distillery’s 2017 Peat Week Commemorative Bottling

GSN Review: Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum

Chocolate has captivated humanity with its exotic flavor and sensuous mouth feel. It has been in Mexican culture since the Mayans and is something that’s deeply embedded in the people and the history of Mexico. Its scientific name (Theobroma Cacao) translates to the Food of the Gods and is one of Mexico’s many culinary gifts to the world. Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum was inspired by ancient recipes used by Mayan and Aztec Emperors. It is a small batch, hand crafted spirit made at an old family owned distillery in Chiapas. Rich, full-bodied, five-year-old rum is infused with locally sourced, decadently dark, slow roasted Cacao. The delicate infusion process enhances the natural qualities of the aged rum, allowing the chocolate and rum to exist in perfect balance. Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum with the essence of coffee and butterscotch on the nose, the echo of dark chocolate is restrained but solidly present in the bouquet. This flavored namesake comes to the forefront on the first sip, layered with a back note of Bing cherry and cream soda.

Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum was developed by founder, Kim Brandi, in her quest to bring the finest aged rum infused with the most decadent dark chocolate to the United States. To hold this world-class rum a shrunken head monkey vessel was developed to compliment Deadhead Rum’s flagship brand.

Kim Brandi explains the idea of the new bottle. “The shrunken head monkey vessel housing our dark chocolate rum pays homage to the ancient spiritual beliefs of the Maya and Aztec cultures. Monkeys, as depicted in pre-Colombian legends and art, are often juxtaposed with Cacao. A shrunken head monkey is a vessel befitting rum infused with Cacao.”

The most challenging aspect of developing the new bottle was to retain the integrity of the brand while changing it completely. “We turned to artist and sculptor Rodney McLellan, known as Odd Rodney, Arizona who, recognizing the significance of branding, diligently worked to help us bring the shrunken head monkey to life,” said Kim. “With his help, our new bottle began its journey from concepts to become a complimenting line expansion of the Deadhead Rum brand; true to form with its eyes and mouth sewn shut with natural hemp lacings and a scar, from ear to ear on the back of its head.”

Deadhead Dark Chocolate Rum (70 proof)
Visual: Clear peach.
Nose: Cocoa and spice. Very much a dessert nose, but not cloying in the least.
Taste: Well balanced flavor between the aged rum and the chocolate characters. Slightly grainy mouthfeel, with a dry and pointed finish.
Finish: Long, with the cocoa flavor going on and on. Very little sweetness here.
Overall: This has to be the best chocolate flavored rum I’ve ever had. Not candy-like. but natural and very much a rum.
GSN Rating: A

For more information go to: Deadhead Rum