baseline
batch 1.25
this rum is named baseline because that’s exactly what i want it to act as, a baseline for all of our other rums to be compared to. it is a no-frills, straightforward rum with absolutely no additives (except for water to bring it down to bottling strength). it's fermented from 100% baking grade molasses for 17-22 days using the distiller's yeast strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae. it's then double pot distilled to a spirit strength of 75% abv. this is an extremely small batch, yielding only 10.5 gal of rum.
don't let the term baseline fool you, the rum is flavorful and delicious (it has a total congener concentration of 334 g/hlpa). that comes from the choice of quality raw ingredients, the long-duration fermentation, and the pot distillation.
what does it taste like?
on the nose baseline (49% abv) reminds me of buckwheat honey slathered on dried mangoes and pineapple rings. there are notes of cinnamon raisin toast, orange zest, and coconut shavings. when i take a sip, the mouthfeel is creamy and notes of dried figs come forward immediately. that then evolves into roasted cinnamon bark, thompson raisins, and cashews with bitter caramel. the orange note that was present on the nose has transformed into fresh grapefruit.
it’s also available at still strength!
baseline at still strength reminds me of a cheese danish with tons of dried fruits like raisins and figs on the nose. i also get notes of toffee with key lime oil and a little bit of roastiness. on the palate, the mouthfeel is so silky and oily. the dried fruit notes come forward immediately. that then transforms into toasted cinnamon bark and some bitter cacao nibs. the citrus note presents as grapefruit.
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baking grade molasses (20 vol%)
water (80 vol%)
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distiller’s yeast (s. cerevisiae)
150 gal total volume
17-22 days
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pot still (55 gal)
double distilled
still strength = 75% abv
10.5 gal total spirit
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bottled april 18th, 2025
total bottles (375 mL) at 75% abv = 25
total bottles (750 mL) at 49% abv = 28
nothing added (except water for 49% abv rum)
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total congeners = 334 g/hlpa
1-propanol (alcohol-like) = 18.4 g/hlpa
acetaldehyde (green apple) = 9.4 g/hlpa
acetone (nail polish remover) = 8.5 g/hlpa
amyl alcohols (fruity & alcoholic) = 188.2 g/hlpa
ethyl acetate (sweet) = 37.9 g/hlpa
ethyl butyrate (pineapple) = 0.2 g/hlpa
isoamyl acetate (banana) = 0.3 g/hlpa
isobutanol (sweet & musty) = 68.7 g/hlpa
isobutyl acetate (fruity & floral) = 0.0 g/hlpa